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Easy Turkey Cheese Ball Bites for Friendsgiving

Turkey Cheese Ball Bites - featured image
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These adorable turkey-shaped cheese ball bites are the perfect Friendsgiving appetizer. Made with leftover turkey, cream cheese, dried cranberries, and pecans, they’re quick, easy, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup cooked turkey, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup pecans, finely chopped
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced (white and light green parts)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts (for coating)
  • Pretzel sticks (about 24)
  • Candy corn (about 12 pieces)
  • Candy eyes (about 24)
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Take cream cheese and butter out of the fridge about 30 minutes before starting to soften to room temperature. If in a hurry, microwave cream cheese on 50% power in 15-second intervals until soft but not melted.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese and butter together with a hand mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add finely chopped turkey, dried cranberries, 1/3 cup chopped pecans, green onions, thyme, garlic powder, pepper, and a pinch of salt. Stir with a spatula until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight) to firm up the mixture.
  5. While mixture chills, place 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans in a shallow bowl. Line a baking sheet or plate with parchment paper.
  6. Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the chilled mixture. Roll between slightly damp palms to form smooth balls. Roll each ball in chopped pecans to coat evenly, then place on parchment-lined sheet. Repeat with remaining mixture (makes about 12-14 balls).
  7. Break pretzel sticks in half. Gently insert 3-4 pretzel halves into the back of each cheese ball, fanning them out to look like turkey tail feathers.
  8. Press two candy eyes onto the front of each cheese ball. Press a piece of candy corn into the center of the face, pointy side out, to form the beak.
  9. Optional: Place finished bites back in the fridge for 15 minutes to let pretzels set firmly.
  10. Arrange on a serving platter with fresh rosemary sprigs if desired. Serve with crackers, sliced apples, or celery sticks. Best served cold or at room temperature.

Notes

For best texture, use block cream cheese, not spreadable. If turkey is dry, add 1 teaspoon of mayonnaise. For nut-free version, use crushed unsalted potato chips instead of pecans. Make mixture up to 2 days ahead; roll and decorate within 24 hours of serving. Do not freeze.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey cheese ball, Friendsgiving appetizer, leftover turkey recipe, turkey bites, holiday appetizer, cheese ball bites

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