There’s just something magical about holiday treats that make celebrations feel extra cozy, and these Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe are exactly that—cute, festive, and oh-so-delicious. They’re the perfect bite-sized treat to make with the kids or bring to a holiday party for all to enjoy.

The image shows five round chocolate balls decorated as reindeer, each with two small pretzel twists as antlers on top, two white candy eyes with black pupils in the center, and a red candy nose placed in the middle front. The reindeer treats are arranged on a white plate with a speckled texture. Next to them, several plain pretzels and a single chocolate sandwich cookie lie on the plate near the bottom right. In the background, there is a green cup with white snowflake designs and pinecones and green pine branches scattered around, all set on a white marbled surface. A woman's hand is not visible in the image. 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 Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I've made plenty of holiday treats over the years, but these Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe always bring a smile to everyone’s face. They’re fun to assemble, and the mix of creamy, crunchy, and chocolaty flavors hits all the right notes. Plus, they’re surprisingly simple to whip up—no fancy baking skills needed here!

Festive & Fun: These Oreo balls transform a classic cookie into a charming holiday character, making your dessert table stand out.
Kid-Friendly Activity: Rolling and decorating these little balls is a joyful way to get the whole family involved.
Simple Ingredients: With just a few staples like Oreos, cream cheese, and chocolate, you’ve got everything you need on hand.
Make-Ahead Friendly: These treat balls keep well in the fridge, so you can prepare them days before your holiday party.

The image shows a round chocolate truffle cut in half, revealing a dark, crumbly chocolate inside. The truffle is coated in a smooth, shiny layer of milk chocolate. Two small pretzel sticks are inserted on top, shaped like antlers. The truffle is placed on a light beige surface with a white marbled texture. In the background, there is a dark green cup with white snowflake designs and a pine cone, adding a cozy, holiday feel. A whole Oreo cookie is visible next to the truffle, and part of a woman's hand holding another truffle is in the foreground. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe is all about combining simple ingredients that come together to create a fun, creamy, and crunchy holiday treat. Each component has a purpose, so here’s a quick look at why each ingredient makes these Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe so delightful.

Flat lay of a small stack of whole Oreo cookies with creamy black-and-white filling visible, a block of smooth cream cheese, a pile of glossy dark chocolate melting wafers, a handful of golden pretzel twists broken in half, a collection of tiny candy eyes with white and black pupils, and a few bright red M&M’s arranged in a simple white ceramic bowl, all perfectly arranged in balanced symmetry 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 crushed Oreos provide that classic chocolate-cookie crunch and sweetness; I prefer the classic flavor, but you can experiment with peppermint or birthday cake Oreos for festive twists.
Cream Cheese: It’s the magic that binds the crumbs into a creamy, smooth center—make sure it’s softened to blend perfectly.
Dark Chocolate Melting Wafers: These offer a smooth, glossy coating that hardens quickly; I love Ghirardelli for its rich flavor and ease of melting.
Pretzel Twists: Broken pretzels double as adorable antlers, adding a salty crunch and holiday charm.
Candy Eyes: They bring the reindeer to life—fun to stick on and instantly festive.
M&M’s or Red Hots: These colorful candies make perfect noses, giving your reindeer that classic Rudolph or festive red look.

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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

One of my favorite things about making these Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe is that they’re incredibly adaptable. Whether you want to swap in different candy colors or try another coating, it’s easy to make this recipe your own.

Flavor Variations: I’ve had great success using peppermint Oreos around Christmas for a minty surprise, or white chocolate wafers instead of dark chocolate for a sweeter coating.
Nut-Free Option: Just be sure your chosen candies and pretzels don’t contain nuts if you need to keep it allergy-friendly—lots of safe store-bought options out there.
Extra Festive: Sprinkle some edible glitter or colored sugar on the chocolate while it’s still wet for a sparkling finish.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe

Step 1: Crumble the Oreos to Perfection

Start by placing all your Oreo cookies into a food processor before pulsing them into fine crumbs. I like to give it a few extra pulses to make sure there are no big chunks—it helps the mixture hold together smoother. If you don’t have a processor, seal them in a bag and crush with a rolling pin until fine, just watch out for uneven pieces.

Step 2: Mix the Cream Cheese and Oreo Crumbs

Next, beat your softened cream cheese until it’s nice and smooth using a hand mixer. Then add the Oreo crumbs and mix on medium speed until everything is combined. The mixture should be thick but pliable so you can roll it easily without it sticking too much to your hands.

Step 3: Shape the Balls and Chill

I use a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough—it keeps all the balls uniform and super cute. Roll each scoop between your palms to create smooth spheres, then place them neatly on a parchment-lined tray. Don’t skip the chilling step: refrigerate for 2 hours to help them firm up for dipping.

Step 4: Melt the Chocolate Coating

I find that melting the chocolate wafers gently in a double boiler prevents scorching. If you’re in a hurry, microwave in short, 30-second bursts with stirring in between until completely smooth. This ensures a glossy finish and easy dipping.

Step 5: Dip, Decorate, and Enjoy!

Using a fork, dip each chilled Oreo ball into the melted chocolate, tap off the excess, and place it back on the tray. Quickly add two pretzel antlers, one candy nose, and two candy eyes while the chocolate is still wet—holding the nose for about 10 seconds helps it stick without sliding. Repeat and refrigerate to set.

Top Tip

From making these Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe a few times, I’ve learned some handy tips that really help you nail them every time and keep the process fun, not frustrating.

Soften Cream Cheese Thoroughly: If your cream cheese is still cold, it won’t blend well and creates lumps—you can soften it faster by microwaving in 10-second increments.
Even Oreo Crumbs: Pulsing until you get fine crumbs prevents gritty texture and helps everything stick better.
Use Parchment Paper: It makes cleanup easy and prevents the balls from sticking to the tray during chilling and decorating.
Work Quickly with Chocolate: When dipping and decorating, work in small batches so the chocolate doesn’t harden before you finish.

How to Serve Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe

Reindeer Oreo Balls - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with candy eyes and colorful candy noses, but sometimes I add tiny sprinkles or edible glitter for a little sparkle under the holiday lights. A dusting of cocoa powder on the serving plate can add a snowy look that really cute.

Side Dishes

Serve these alongside a hot cup of cocoa or mulled wine for a perfect holiday pairing. They also go well with a fresh fruit platter or mixed nuts to balance out the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like to arrange the reindeer Oreo balls on a festive platter lined with pine sprigs or holly. Another fun idea is to place each ball in a mini cupcake liner and wrap little bows around the forks—your guests will love the extra touch of holiday cheer!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These treats keep wonderfully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I recommend using a shallow container so the chocolate-topped balls don’t press into one another and lose their cute faces.

Freezing

If you want to make a big batch ahead, you can freeze the Oreo balls before dipping and also the finished balls. Just thaw them in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to serve. I’ve found freezing doesn’t affect the texture much, which is a big win for holiday prep.

Reheating

I usually don’t reheat these since the chocolate coating is best enjoyed chilled. But if your chocolate loses its shine, a quick minute at room temperature helps restore that smooth look. Avoid microwaving, as it can melt the chocolate and affect the shape.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use flavored Oreos for this Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe?

Absolutely! Flavored Oreos like peppermint or golden vanilla add a fun twist. Just use the same amount and crush them fine. Keep in mind that different flavors may slightly change the sweetness or color of the filling.

What’s the best way to prevent the chocolate from cracking on these Oreo balls?

To keep the chocolate coating smooth and crack-free, melt it gently without overheating and cool the dipped balls in the refrigerator quickly but not for too long. Avoid drastic temperature changes, like putting frozen balls directly into warm environments. Cooling in a cool but not cold spot is best.

Can I make the Oreo balls a day ahead?

Yes! You can assemble and refrigerate the Oreo balls before dipping them in chocolate the next day. Keeping the balls chilled helps with easier dipping and better chocolate adhesion. Just cover them well and keep refrigerated until ready to dip.

What other candies can I use for the noses on these Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe?

You have lots of options! M&M’s and Red Hots are classic, but you can use small gumdrops, mini chocolate chips, or even tiny red jelly beans. Choose something that’s small, colorful, and can stick well to the chocolate coating.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, these Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe have become a staple in my holiday baking because they’re such a joyful way to spread festive cheer. I love how easy they are to personalize and how they turn ordinary ingredients into something delightful and whimsical. Give this recipe a try—you’ll have fun making them and be proud handing them off as sweet little gifts, or just sneaking a few yourself with a cup of warm cocoa.