There's just something magical about little handmade treats that bring smiles at holiday parties. This Reindeer Oreo Balls Recipe is one of my favorite festive treats because it's easy to make, irresistibly chocolatey, and decorated with those adorable pretzel antlers that are perfect for winter celebrations.

The image shows a white plate on a white marbled surface, holding five round chocolate balls decorated as reindeer faces. Each ball has two small pretzel sticks as antlers placed at the top, two white candy eyes with black dots, and a red candy for the nose in the center front. At the edge of the plate, there are some uncooked pretzels and an Oreo cookie. In the background, there is a dark green mug with white snowflake designs and some pinecones and green pine leaves, all softly out of focus. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Reindeer Oreo Balls Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Reindeer Oreo Balls Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Reindeer Oreo Balls Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made these reindeer Oreo balls for a holiday cookie exchange — they disappeared so fast! There's something about the crunch, sweetness, and a tiny pop of salty pretzel antlers that makes these treats utterly addictive and charming at the same time.

Quick & Easy: Combining crushed Oreos and cream cheese means no baking, so you can whip these up in under an hour.
Fun & Festive: Decorated like little reindeer, these treats bring smiles and set a joyful mood at any holiday gathering.
Perfect Bite-Sized Goodness: You get rich chocolate and creamy texture in every single bite — pure snack perfection.
Customizable: You can change chocolate types, Oreos, or decorations to fit your taste or theme.

The image shows a close-up of a dessert ball that looks like a small cylinder. The base layer inside is dark and crumbly, likely made from crushed cookies. It is covered in a smooth layer of milk chocolate. Two small pretzels are stuck on top of the ball, resembling antlers. The dessert rests on a speckled white plate with a white marbled surface under it. In the background, there is a whole chocolate sandwich cookie, more pretzels, and a green cup with white snowflakes. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays a starring role to create that perfect balance of flavor and texture. From the crushed Oreo base to the creamy cheese binder and the glossy chocolate covering, each component adds something special.

Flat lay of a stack of whole Oreo cookies with visible black-and-white layers, a smooth block of cream cheese on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl filled with glossy dark chocolate melting wafers, a pile of twisted pretzels broken in half arranged neatly, several small white ceramic bowls each containing shiny M&M's and vibrant red candy noses, and another small white bowl with pairs of candy eyes, all evenly spaced and symmetrically arranged on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Oreo Cookies: The classic Oreo lends both crunch and sweet chocolatey flavor. Crushing them finely is key for smooth balls.
Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese binds the cookie crumbs together, adding tang and creaminess, making the texture dreamy.
Dark Chocolate Melting Wafers: These melt easily for coating, providing a shiny, firm shell that contrasts the soft centers.
Pretzel Twists: Broken into antlers, pretzels add a crunchy, salty contrast and give each Oreo ball its festive reindeer look.
Candy Eyes: Tiny candy eyes bring these treats to life, making them irresistible and fun.
M&M's or Red Hots: These make adorable noses, adding a pop of color and enhancing the reindeer charm.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to switch up the chocolate coating sometimes—milk chocolate for a sweeter touch or white chocolate to make the antlers and noses really pop. You can also experiment with different flavored Oreos; peppermint ones add a nice holiday twist that my friends love.

Flavor Variations: Once, I tried chocolate-covered peppermint Oreos and it was a crowd-pleaser—feel free to explore flavors you love!
Dietary Swaps: For a dairy-free option, use vegan cream cheese and dairy-free chocolate melts; they work surprisingly well.
Decor Customization: You can swap candy eyes for mini chocolate chips or draw on faces with edible markers to get creative.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Reindeer Oreo Balls Recipe

Step 1: Crush the Oreos into Fine Crumbs

Pop all 45 Oreo cookies into a food processor or blender and pulse until you have fine, even crumbs. Avoid overdoing it into powder; you want small, coarse crumbs for better texture. This is the base of your treats and makes a huge difference in how smooth your balls will be.

Step 2: Mix Cream Cheese and Oreo Crumbs

Using a hand mixer on high speed, whip the softened cream cheese until silky smooth. Then, add in the Oreo crumbs and mix on medium speed until thoroughly combined. The mixture should be moist enough to roll but firm enough to hold shape. If it feels too sticky, chill it briefly before rolling.

Step 3: Roll into Perfect Balls and Chill

Use a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the mixture, then roll each scoop gently in your palms to form smooth balls. Place them on a parchment-lined baking tray and refrigerate for at least 2 hours — this step is crucial for helping them hold their shape during chocolate coating.

Step 4: Melt the Chocolate and Dip

Melt the dark chocolate wafers in a double boiler over low heat or use the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between intervals. Using a fork, dip each Oreo ball into the melted chocolate, tapping off excess gently before placing back on the tray. This coating seals the balls and gives that beautiful glossy finish.

Step 5: Add Antlers, Eyes & Nose

While the chocolate is still tacky, insert two pretzel halves about ¼”–½” deep to form antlers. Then, press a candy eye on each side above it, followed by a colorful M&M or Red Hot in the center for the nose. Holding each nose in place for 10 seconds helps prevent slipping. Repeat this for all balls and let the chocolate set completely before serving.

Top Tip

Making these reindeer Oreo balls the first time had me worried the antlers might break off or the noses would slide, but a few simple tricks saved the day:

Chill Before Dipping: Make sure the Oreo balls are well chilled to hold together firmly when dipped in chocolate.
Use a Fork to Dip: This helps you get an even coating while letting excess chocolate drip off smoothly.
Secure Noses Early: Press the candy noses in while the chocolate is still wet, and hold them gently for about 10 seconds to avoid slipping.
Don’t Skip the Parchment: Working on parchment paper makes cleanup a breeze and stops your treats from sticking.

How to Serve Reindeer Oreo Balls Recipe

Reindeer Oreo Balls - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a little edible glitter or powdered sugar lightly on top for some winter magic. If I’m feeling playful, a tiny smear of red gel icing gives the noses extra shine. The pretzel antlers are usually enough for the festive look, so I keep it simple.

Side Dishes

These pair beautifully with hot cocoa or a spiced chai latte during chilly evenings. If I’m hosting, I also set out a tray of assorted nuts and dried fruits to complement the rich chocolate flavors and add some texture contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I arrange the reindeer balls on a festive platter lined with pine sprigs for a woodland feel. I’ve also packaged them in small cellophane bags tied with red ribbon to hand out as adorable edible gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, where they stay fresh and tasty for up to 5 days. Because of the cream cheese and chocolate, refrigeration is essential to keep the texture just right.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these for up to a month by placing them on a tray first so they don’t stick together, then transferring to a freezer-safe container. To thaw, a couple hours in the fridge works perfectly without losing any of that fresh flavor or texture.

Reheating

Since these treats are best enjoyed chilled, I usually serve them straight from the fridge. If the chocolate shell feels too firm, just let them sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes before serving to soften slightly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use flavored Oreos in the Reindeer Oreo Balls Recipe?

Absolutely! Flavored Oreos, like peppermint or golden vanilla, work great and add a fun twist. Just use the same quantity (about 45 cookies).

How do I prevent the pretzel antlers from breaking?

Breaking the pretzels carefully into even pieces helps, and inserting them gently into the chocolate coating while it’s still soft ensures they stay put. Chilling the balls properly before dipping also helps maintain firmness.

Can I make these Oreo balls ahead of time?

Yes, these are great make-ahead treats! Prepare them up to 2 days in advance and store in the refrigerator. They’ll taste just as delicious and save you time on the day of your event.

What should I do if the chocolate hardens before I finish dipping all the balls?

Simply reheat the chocolate gently over low heat or microwave in short intervals (15–30 seconds), stirring after each until smooth again. Avoid overheating to prevent burning.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, making this Reindeer Oreo Balls Recipe always brightens my holiday season. It's a delightful mix of nostalgic flavors with festive fun rolled into one bite-sized surprise. I really hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do — they truly bring that extra sprinkle of joy to any gathering!