5 Easy Christmas Snacks That Anyone Can Make

When it comes to hosting a Christmas party, nothing can wow your guests more than an elaborate main dish, a sophisticated salad, and a too-good-to-eat side dish. After all, winter is blessed with so many delicious (and disease-preventing) produce that it’s hard to mess up. But, what happens when you're home alone, and you're feeling your tummy rumble? Yup, at that moment, it’s snacks that do the trick.

But, putting on your apron for something that will be devoured in mere seconds just isn't worth it. So, if you're looking for something tasty and festive to tame your hunger this holiday season, these 5 easy Christmas snacks will fill you (and your taste buds) with glee.

1.  Chocolate Pretzel Snowman

Adorable • Festive • Only 5 Ingredients
Makes: About 12 snowmen | Prep Time: 10 min | Freeze Time: ~10 min

Deck out your snack table with these sweet-and-salty snowmen—each crafted from dipped pretzels, chocolate coats, and rosy raspberry cheeks. These are fun, utterly festive, and just perfect for holiday cheer (and snowless smiles!).

Ingredients

• Snyder’s of Hanover pretzel sticks

• 2 cups white chocolate (melted)

• 1 cup dark or milk chocolate (melted)

• 3 Tbsp orange candy melts (melted)
  (or substitute with orange candy coating)

• 1 tsp organic freeze‑dried raspberries, crushed to fine powder

Instructions

1. Dip for the snowman body
   Dip pretzel sticks into white chocolate, leaving the top ~½ inch uncoated. Lay them on parchment-lined baking sheets. Freeze for ~5 minutes to harden.

2. Create the hat
   Dip the uncoated top ends (the “head”) into dark or milk chocolate. Take one extra fully dipped pretzel, place it horizontally across the top, and press gently to form the hat’s brim. Freeze again for ~5 minutes.

3. Make carrot noses
   Pipe small orange triangles from the candy melts onto parchment. Freeze briefly until solid, then peel off and set aside.

4. Assemble faces
   Use a dab of melted chocolate to attach each carrot nose to a snowman’s face. Pipe (or draw) tiny eyes and mouth using the dark chocolate.

5. Add rosy cheeks
   Lightly dust each side of the nose with crushed freeze‑dried raspberry powder for sweet, rosy cheeks.

6. Store & enjoy
   Store snowmen in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days—or refrigerate if your environment is warm.

Tips

• Adults and kids both love these—perfect for parties or holiday crafting.

• For extra festive flair, add a tiny snowflake sprinkle on each hat brim.

• Use mini chocolate chips or candy for eyes if you prefer not to pipe. 

2. Peppermint Reindeer Bark

Festive • Sweet & Salty • Kid-Friendly
Makes: About 14 pieces | Prep Time: 10 min | Chill Time: 2–3 hrs

This playful holiday bark is a delightful blend of rich chocolate, refreshing peppermint, and cheerful reindeer faces—complete with freeze-dried cherries for noses. It’s a healthier homemade twist on classic peppermint bark, made without preservatives and perfect for gifting or snacking.

Ingredients

• 1 bag milk chocolate chips (about 12 oz), melted

• 1 candy cane, crushed

• 14 mini pretzel twists, halved

• 14 freeze-dried cherries

• 28 candy eyes

Instructions

1. Melt the chocolate
   Add chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth and fully melted.

2. Spread & shape
   Pour melted chocolate onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use a spatula to spread into an even layer, about ¼-inch thick.

3. Decorate the bark
   While the chocolate is still soft, press in pairs of candy eyes and one freeze-dried cherry just below to form each reindeer's face. Place two pretzel halves above each set of eyes to resemble antlers.

4. Add peppermint crunch
   Sprinkle crushed candy cane over the entire sheet for a minty finish.

5. Chill & break
   Transfer to the freezer for 2–3 hours or until completely firm. Once set, break into irregular pieces and serve or package.

Tips

• Use white or dark chocolate as a base for variety.

• Replace pretzels with pecan halves or cereal if desired.

• Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to one week.

3. Holiday Popcorn

Festive • Lightly Sweet • Movie-Ready
Serves: 4–6 | Prep Time: 10 min | No cooking required

A cheerful mix of popcorn, melted white chocolate, freeze-dried raspberries, and a sprinkle of crushed candy cane makes this snack both indulgent and refreshingly light. It’s the perfect bowlful for holiday movie nights or cozy winter gatherings—without going full sugar overload.

Ingredients

• 5 cups plain unsalted popcorn (air-popped or bagged)

• 1 cup white chocolate, melted

• ½ cup mini marshmallows

• ¼ cup organic freeze-dried raspberries, lightly crushed

• 1 candy cane, crushed

Instructions

1. Prepare the base
   Place popcorn in a large mixing bowl, removing any unpopped kernels.

2. Drizzle with chocolate
   Pour melted white chocolate over the popcorn. Toss gently with a spatula or spoon until evenly coated.

3. Add toppings
   Quickly sprinkle in mini marshmallows, freeze-dried raspberries, and crushed candy cane. Stir lightly to distribute.

4. Let set & serve
   Let the mix sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes until the chocolate hardens slightly. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Tips

• Add roasted nuts for crunch and protein.

• Use dark chocolate instead for a more sophisticated twist.

• Sprinkle edible glitter or gold dust for party-ready sparkle.

4. Maple Rosemary Roasted Walnuts

Savory-Sweet • Aromatic • Quick
Serves: 6–8 | Prep Time: 5 min | Cook Time: 15 min

Classic holiday flavors of maple and rosemary meet the earthy crunch of walnuts and the subtle sweetness of freeze-dried bananas in this elevated seasonal snack. It’s fast, festive, and perfect for party bowls or gifting.

Ingredients

• 3 cups raw walnuts

• 2 Tbsp olive oil

• 2 Tbsp maple syrup

• ½ Tbsp coconut sugar

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• ⅔ tsp dried rosemary

• ⅔ tsp salt

• ¾ cup freeze-dried bananas, lightly crushed or broken into bite-size pieces

Instructions

1. Preheat oven
   Set oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Season the nuts
   In a mixing bowl, combine walnuts, olive oil, maple syrup, coconut sugar, cinnamon, rosemary, and salt. Toss well to coat evenly.

3. Roast
   Spread walnuts in a single layer on the baking sheet. Roast for 7–8 minutes, stir, then roast another 7 minutes until golden and fragrant.

4. Cool & finish
   Let the nuts cool completely on the sheet. Once cooled, stir in the freeze-dried bananas.

5. Serve or store
   Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Tips

• Add a pinch of cayenne for heat.

• Swap walnuts for pecans or almonds if desired.

• Great as a salad topper or cheese board addition.

5. Marinated Olives & Feta with Crackers

Savory • Herby • Effortless
Serves: 6–8 | Prep Time: 5 min | Marinate Time: 2–4 hrs

This marinated olive mix balances briny, creamy, and herbal flavors for the perfect Mediterranean-style snack. Paired with crisp crackers or toasted bread, it’s an elegant yet easy appetizer made better with the crunch and color of freeze-dried red bell peppers.

Ingredients

• 1¼ cups Kalamata olives

• 1¼ cups pimento-stuffed green olives

• ½ cup olive oil

• 1¼ cups Feta cheese, cut into small cubes

• 1 Tbsp freeze-dried red bell peppers

• ½ tsp dried rosemary

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp ground black pepper

• ¼ tsp dehydrated tomato powder (optional)

• Crackers or toasted bread, for serving

Instructions

1. (Optional) Hydrate peppers
   For a softer texture, place freeze-dried red bell peppers in a bowl with 2–3 Tbsp lukewarm water. Let soak for 15 minutes. Drain and gently squeeze out excess liquid. For extra crunch, you can skip this step and use them dry.

2. Mix ingredients
   In a large bowl, combine olives, Feta cubes, olive oil, rosemary, salt, pepper, and dehydrated tomato powder (if using). Stir gently to coat everything evenly.

3. Add bell peppers
   Fold in the freeze-dried red bell peppers—hydrated or dry based on your choice.

4. Marinate & chill
   Cover the bowl with foil or a lid and refrigerate for 2–4 hours to let the flavors meld.

5. Serve
   Serve chilled or at room temperature with crackers or slices of toasted baguette.

Tips

• Add lemon zest or a splash of red wine vinegar for brightness.

• Pairs well with dry white wine or sparkling water.

• Use leftovers as a salad topping or pizza garnish.

Do you have any other easy Christmas snacks that you'd like to share with us? We'd love to hear your suggestions in the comments below!

References:

1. https://hungryhappenings.com/chocolate-pretzel-snowman-craft/
2. https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/peppermint-reindeer-bark-super-easy-recipe.html
3. https://www.twosisterscrafting.com/santa-crunch-popcorn/
4. https://www.theroastedroot.net/maple-rosemary-roasted-nuts/
5. https://www.greensnchocolate.com/citrus-marinated-olives-and-feta/

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