When I’m doing a cozy breakfast board or need a quick savory bite between all the cookies, I make Reindeer Bagels with Cream Cheese.
Toasted mini bagels get a generous swipe of cream cheese, then I tuck in mini pretzels as ears, add sliced black olives for eyes, and a juicy cherry tomato nose.
They’re cheerful, kid-helper friendly, and perfect on a big wooden board.
Yield: 8–12 mini bagel halves
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
- mini bagels (plain or cheese)
- cream cheese
- mini pretzels
- black olives (sliced)
- cherry tomatoes
Helpful Extras
- offset spatula
- wooden serving board
- parchment paper (for decorating mess-free)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1) Toast & spread.
Lightly toast the mini bagels if you like, then spread the cut sides with cream cheese using an offset spatula.
2) Add ears.
Tuck two mini pretzels into the cream cheese at the upper edges so they stick like reindeer ears/antlers.
3) Eyes & nose.
Press on two black olive slices for eyes and nestle a cherry tomato in the center as the nose.
4) Serve.
Arrange on a wooden serving board and enjoy immediately.
Pro Tips
- Extra stick: If your kitchen is warm, chill the cream cheese 5 minutes so decorations grip better.
- Perfect circles: Choose cherry tomatoes that fit the bagel hole snugly for a cute “Rudolph” look.
- Savory swing: Sprinkle a tiny pinch of salt and pepper over the olives before serving to wake up flavors.
- Board balance: Pair with fresh fruit and a few sweet items so your breakfast board feels complete.
Variations
- Everything herd: Use everything mini bagels and chive cream cheese.
- Caprese twist: Swap olives for tiny mozzarella pearls and dot with balsamic glaze; keep the cherry tomato nose.
- Cucumber eyes: Replace olives with thin cucumber rounds and a peppercorn “pupil.”
Make-Ahead & Storage
- Make-ahead: Toast bagels and slice cherry tomatoes ahead. Assemble just before serving so mini pretzels stay crisp.
- Storage: Best fresh. If needed, keep assembled halves in the fridge for up to 2 hours; add pretzels right before plating.
Reindeer Bagels with Cream Cheese
Yield: 8–12 halves | Prep: 10 min | Total: 10 min
Ingredients
- mini bagels (plain or cheese)
- cream cheese
- mini pretzels
- sliced black olives
- cherry tomatoes
Ingredients
Instructions
- Toast mini bagels if desired and spread with cream cheese using an offset spatula.
- Tuck mini pretzels into the sides as ears.
- Press on two olive slices for eyes and a cherry tomato in the center for the nose; serve on a board.
FAQ
Will the pretzels get soft?
Eventually—add mini pretzels right before serving for max crunch.
Can I make them dairy-free?
Yes—use plant-based cream cheese and check that your mini bagels are dairy-free.
Any kid-safe skewer alternative for serving on boards?
No skewers needed here, but for tidy serving, tuck parchment under the mini bagels so pieces lift easily without smearing cream cheese.
How can I add protein?
Spread a thin layer of whipped cream cheese and top with a strip of smoked salmon (then decorate).
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