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Holiday treats should be cute, tasty and fast to assemble. Rudolph the reindeer donuts deliver instant cheer with chocolate frosted minis, candy eyes and a bright nose. A little melted chocolate works as edible glue while tiny pretzels make perfect antlers. The steps are simple, the ingredients are easy to find and the results look bakery ready. Make a platter for school parties or stack them on a dessert board. They’re crowd pleasing and disappear in minutes.
Santa’s reindeer aren’t the only ones to expect over the holidays, not if you make no bake reindeer donuts. Nobody will be able to resist one with Christmas breakfast!
Expand your holiday menu with festive panettone bread, gingerbread trifle or eggnog cheesecake to complement the seasonal cheer.
Why You’ll Love It
Easy: This is an incredibly simple recipe to make and you can make it in just a few minutes. So, if you have a lot of Christmas breakfast prep to do, add this recipe to the list because you can make the donut reindeer in 5 minutes flat!
Delicious: Reindeer donuts are a great treat for those with a sweet tooth. If you like chocolate, donuts and pretzels, you’re going to love these!
Festive: Not every festive treat is this quick and easy to make, so if you want to add extra fun to your holiday parties this year, you just have to make these festive red nose reindeer donuts.
Reindeer Christmas Mini Donuts Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Mini chocolate frosted donuts: Soft base with a ready made chocolate coating.
Chocolate chips: Melt into edible glue for eyes, noses and antlers.
Avocado oil: A tiny splash loosens thick chocolate for smoother dots. Coconut oil would work too.
Graham cracker crumbs: Optional dusting for texture and color.
Chocolate candy: Peanut butter M&M’s or similar make cute little red or brown noses.
Mini pretzels: Small shapes that look like antlers and add salty crunch.
Candy eyes: A fun touch that sets the reindeer look.
How to Make Red Nosed Reindeer Donuts
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Add the eyes and nose: Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, then dip each of the candy eyeballs and M&Ms in the melted chocolate and stick to the donuts.
Add the antlers: Dip the mini pretzel antlers into the melted chocolate and press into the donuts, then let the chocolate set and serve.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten free option: Use gluten free donuts and gluten free mini pretzels with verified candies.
Milk chocolate swap: Use milk chocolate chips for a sweeter finish.
White chocolate look: Dot on a white chocolate nose or drizzle for contrast.
Color play: Use red noses for Rudolph or mix colors across the tray.
Sparkle finish: Add a tiny sprinkle of edible glitter before the chocolate sets.
Serving Suggestions
With brunch: Enjoy anything from a fried egg sandwich to breakfast tacos and breakfast potatoes, and include a cute Rudolph reindeer donut as a sweet touch.
With other festive fare: If you’re making a platter of tasty Christmas treats, other recipes that would pair well with reindeer donuts include nut brittle and Santa cupcakes.
How to Store Reindeer Donuts
Store: Leftovers will keep for up to 3 days in an airtight container at room temperature. These should keep for as long as the mini donuts will keep since all you’re doing is adding candies and pretzels.
Freeze: If you freeze these, the candy eyes and M&Ms might come off and the pretzels will become soggy, so they’re best enjoyed fresh.
Top Tips
Work on parchment: This keep bottoms neat and shiny. You could also use a nonstick baking sheet.
Break extra pretzels: Make plenty so you can match similar curves.
Keep chocolate warm: A warm bowl prevents thick streaks and chunky dots.
Place eyes high: Higher eyes look cuter and leave room for the nose.
Test one first: Build a single donut to check spacing, then finish the batch.
Donut Reindeer FAQs
Yes, if you have the time and inclination! You will need a mini donut pan along with other donut making supplies like flour, sugar, baking powder and cocoa powder for the batter, and a piping bag. Grabbing a package of readymade ones from the store is so much easier though, and many stores carry a gluten free option.
You can use any small red candies to make the nose for the reindeer donuts. Skittles, Red Hots or just about any other small red candy would work if you aren’t an M&M fan.
Rudolf The Reindeer Donuts Recipe
Rudolph the Reindeer Donuts
Ingredients
- 1 Bag mini donuts, chocolate
- chocolate candies, such as peanut butter M&Ms
- 1 Cup mini pretzels
- 30 candy eyes
- ¼ Cup chocolate chips, for melting
Instructions
- Melt the ¼ cup of chocolate chips in the microwave for 30 second intervals.
- Dip the back side of each candy eye and an M&M in the melted chocolate.
- Press the M&M into the center of the donut over the hole, and press the eyes on each side of the M&M.
- Dip the bottom of the mini pretzel into the melted chocolate, and push the pretzel into the donut slightly so it will stay in place.
Notes
Break extra pretzels: Make plenty so you can match similar curves.
Keep chocolate warm: A warm bowl prevents thick streaks and chunky dots.
Place eyes high: Higher eyes look cuter and leave room for the nose.
Test one first: Build a single donut to check spacing, then finish the batch.
Nutrition
For easy holiday fun with big payoff, Rudolph the reindeer donuts are the move. The chocolate frosted minis give you a head start, the candy faces bring personality and the pretzel antlers finish the theme. The process is quick, the ingredients are simple and the tray looks polished without baking. Make a batch for school events or add them to a dessert board for instant smiles. Once people spot the faces, they’ll reach for seconds.
Other Recipes to Try
- This Christmas Mug Cake is a yummy treat for the holiday season.
- Try your hand at crafting this fun dessert: Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats!
- Whip up these Easy Reindeer Cupcakes for a simple yet charming addition to
- Christmas Chocolate Sugar Cookies and Buttercream Dip are a seasonal treat.
- And don’t miss Chocolate Covered Strawberry Reindeer or Gumdrop Nougat!
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
This was a total hit with our guests! Excited to make this again. 🙂