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Easy Turkey Cheese Ball Bites for Friendsgiving

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These adorable turkey-shaped cheese ball bites are the perfect festive appetizer for Friendsgiving. Made with a creamy, savory cheese mixture and crunchy pretzel ‘feathers,’ they’re quick, easy, and guaranteed to impress your guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
  • Pretzel sticks (4-5 per cheese ball)
  • Candy eyes
  • 1 small piece of red bell pepper or carrot (for snood)
  • 1 small piece of orange bell pepper or candy corn (for beak)

Instructions

  1. Soften the cream cheese: Take the cream cheese out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you start. It should be soft to the touch but not melted.
  2. Mix the cheese base: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Use a hand mixer on low speed or a spatula to mix everything until smooth. Scrape down the sides halfway through.
  3. Chill the mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  4. Portion the cheese: Once chilled, use a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon to portion the mixture into equal-sized balls. Roll each portion between your palms to form a smooth ball. You should get about 12-14 balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  5. Chill again: Refrigerate the cheese balls for another 15-20 minutes.
  6. Coat the cheese balls: Spread the chopped pecans or walnuts on a small plate. Roll each chilled cheese ball in the nuts, pressing gently so they stick. Set them back on the baking sheet.
  7. Assemble the turkeys: For each cheese ball, insert 4-5 pretzel sticks into the back at a slight angle to create the turkey’s ‘feathers.’ Press two candy eyes onto the front. Use a tiny piece of red bell pepper for the snood and a small triangle of orange bell pepper (or a candy corn) for the beak. If decorations don’t stick, use a tiny dab of cream cheese as ‘glue.’
  8. Serve or store: Arrange the turkey cheese ball bites on a platter. Serve immediately or keep in the fridge for up to 2 hours before serving.

Notes

Chill the mixture twice for best results. Use full-fat cream cheese for a sturdy base. Shred cheddar from a block for best texture. Add decorations just before serving to keep pretzels crunchy. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey cheese ball bites, Friendsgiving appetizer, easy cheese ball, turkey shaped cheese ball, no bake appetizer, holiday appetizer

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/easy-turkey-cheese-ball-bites-for-friendsgiving/