Delight your guests this holiday season with these adorable bite-size reindeer cheese ball appetizers. Paired with some crackers or a flat bread this recipe will add a festive and fun touch to your Christmas menu.

Close up image of a plate full of cheese balls made to look like little reindeer.

Although it’s been a couple of years since we’ve done it we used to love to host a Christmas open-house. It was a great, low stress way to get together and see friends and family who we hadn’t seen for a while.

Overhead image of seven reindeer cheese balls on a white plate.

My favorite things to put out at such get-togethers were finger foods, appetizers and little treats. These reindeer cheese balls would have been exactly perfect for that. They actually make me want to host another open-house this year.

Close up view of reindeer cheese balls on a wooden surface.

Everyone loves a good cheese ball recipe but these mini ones are even better because they’re less messy and you can make them in individual servings. I think we have to figure out a Santa version soon as well.

Ingredients Need for this Cheese Ball Recipe:

2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 packet ranch dressing mix
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
6 strips bacon, finely chopped
1 tomato, cut into small cubes
40 pretzels

How to Make Reindeer Cheese Balls:

Combine cream cheese, ranch dressing mix, and shredded cheddar cheese in a medium bowl. Mix until well combined.

Ingredients needed to make the reindeer cheese ball recipe in a white bowl.

Place cheese mixture in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.

Using a tablespoon, scoop cheese mixture and form into a ball.

Roll each ball in chopped bacon.

Place cheese balls back in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.

Place a piece of cubed tomato in the center of the ball as a nose.

Cut each pretzel in half, the cut the loop off the top of each pretzel half. Place one half on each side of the ball as antlers.

We hope you enjoyed this cheese ball recipe for Christmas entertaining. For additional appetizer ideas be sure to check out these delicious options:

Will you be doing a lot of hosting for the holidays?

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Reindeer Cheeseballs Appetizers

Jane and Sonja

5 from 9 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Resting time 1

Total Time 1 10

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings cheeseballs

Calories 106 kcal

Ingredients

2 8-oz packages cream cheese softened
1 packet ranch dressing mix
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
6 strips bacon finely chopped
1 tomato cut into small cubes
40 pretzels

Instructions

Combine cream cheese, ranch dressing mix, and shredded cheddar cheese in a medium bowl. Mix until well combined.
Place cheese mixture in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.
Using a tablespoon, scoop cheese mixture and form into a ball. Roll each ball in chopped bacon. Place cheese balls back in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.
Place a piece of cubed tomato in the center of the ball as a nose.
Cut each pretzel in half, the cut the loop off the top of each pretzel half. Place one half on each side of the ball as antlers.

Nutrition

Calories: 106kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 7gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 302mgPotassium: 104mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 176IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 161mgIron: 1mg

Keyword appetizers, cheese, Christmas, holidays

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