Print

The Best Friendsgiving Turkey Cheese Ball Bites Recipe

Friendsgiving Turkey Cheese Ball Bites - featured image
Print Recipe

These adorable turkey-shaped cheese ball bites are the perfect Friendsgiving appetizer. Made with a creamy blend of cream cheese and sharp cheddar, coated in crunchy pecans and parsley, and decorated with pretzel feathers and cute faces, they’re a crowd-pleasing conversation starter that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Pinch of salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • Pretzel sticks, broken into 1-inch pieces
  • Candy eyes (about 4mm)
  • 1 small carrot, cut into tiny triangles for the beak
  • Red bell pepper, a tiny sliver for the wattle

Instructions

  1. Soften your cream cheese and butter. Take them out of the fridge about 45 minutes before you start. They should be soft enough that you can press a finger into them without resistance.
  2. Mix the base. In your medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, softened butter, and shredded cheddar. Beat with your hand mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes until everything is smooth and well combined. Scrape down the sides halfway through.
  3. Add the seasonings. Sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix on low speed just until incorporated, about 30 seconds. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. Chill the mixture. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for 20 minutes. This makes the mixture firm enough to roll into balls.
  5. Prepare your coatings. On a small plate, combine the finely chopped pecans and parsley. On another plate, arrange your broken pretzel stick pieces. Cut your carrot into tiny triangles for the beaks, and cut tiny slivers of red bell pepper for the wattles.
  6. Form the cheese balls. Using your cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop out portions of the chilled cheese mixture. Roll each portion between your palms to form a smooth ball. You should get about 12 to 14 balls. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  7. Roll in the coating. Take each cheese ball and gently roll it in the pecan-parsley mixture until evenly coated. Place the coated balls back on the baking sheet.
  8. Assemble the turkey faces. For each cheese ball, gently press two candy eyes into the front. Below the eyes, press a carrot triangle point-side-down for the beak. Just below the beak, press a tiny sliver of red bell pepper for the wattle.
  9. Add the feathers. Behind each turkey face, gently press 3 to 4 pretzel stick pieces into the cheese ball at slight angles, fanning them out like tail feathers.
  10. Chill again. Place the assembled turkey cheese ball bites back in the fridge for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip the softening step for cream cheese and butter. Toast the pecans in a dry skillet for 3 minutes for extra flavor. Keep your hands slightly damp if the mixture sticks while rolling. Break pretzels strategically with even pressure for clean breaks. Work in batches if making a double batch. The flavors actually improve after a day in the fridge. For best results, add pretzel feathers and faces just before serving if making ahead.

Nutrition

Keywords: Friendsgiving, turkey cheese ball, cheese ball bites, appetizer, fall recipe, Thanksgiving appetizer, party food, easy appetizer

Find it online: https://tablemira.com/the-best-friendsgiving-turkey-cheese-ball-bites-recipe/