The Best Turkey Cheese Ball Recipe
This turkey cheese ball recipe is absolutely darling and makes the perfect appetizer for Thanksgiving dinner!
You know that I love, love, love creating fun festive food for the holidays and this cute turkey appetizer is no exception. It’s super easy to make too – let me show you how!
Too busy to make this right away? Pin it for later! Pin this post to your favorite board on Pinterest and it will be there when you’re ready!
The face of the turkey seriously makes this thanksgiving cheese ball one of my favorite recipes! I can’t get over this cute turkey cheese ball features – gobble gobble!
If you think this is fun, be sure to check out these Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies or Wafer Turkeys too!
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Finding candy corn for the beak can sometimes be a challenge when it’s not Halloween. I scoured nearly every grocery store in town before finally finding them at our local bulk foods store!
If you don’t have candy corn on hand you could also use a salted almond, carrot or piece of chocolate to create the cute turkey beak.
What is a cheese ball made of?
A cheeseball is a mixture of cream cheese, grated cheese and other seasonings. They are often rolled in a sweet or savoury coating and served with crackers.
The best cheese for creating a cheese ball is original Philadelphia cream cheese because of its rich, creamy texture. Cheese balls can be made up to a week in advance, making them awesome for party planning.
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Cheese Ball Supplies
- Stand mixer with paddle attachment or
- Electric mixer
- Large bowl
- Small bowl
- Serving platter
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Plastic wrap
Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Ball Recipe
Ingredients
- Dill cream cheese, room temperature – if you don’t have dill, just mix some into regular cream cheese.
- White cheddar cheese, finely shredded – adds a sharp, cheesy bite that melts perfectly.
- Walnuts, chopped – a great way to add a nutty crunch, swap them out for pecans or almonds if needed.
- Pretzel twists – salty, crunchy, and fun to snack on or use as a vessel for dipping.
- Ritz crackers – classic buttery crackers that add the perfect light crunch for the cheese ball.
- Breton mini crackers – these soft, crumbly crackers pair nicely with dips and spreads.
- Pretzel rod – if you don’t have rods, use breadsticks or thick pretzel twists.
- Candy eyes – cute little edible decorations that bring a fun touch to any treat.
- Candy corn – a festive, chewy candy that’s sweet and perfect for seasonal desserts.
- Pecan halves – walnuts are a great substitute if needed.
Instructions
1. Mix cream cheese and shredded cheese in a large bowl.
2. Stir the cheese mixture until well combined.
3. Place a large piece of plastic wrap on the counter.
4. Drop the cream cheese mixture into the center and wrap to form a ball shape.
5. Place the wrapped cheese ball in the refrigerator for at least one hour to firm up.
6. To make the turkey head, melt chocolate wafers in the microwave.
7. Use the chocolate to stick the eyes and candy corn to one end of the pretzel rod.
8. Place in the fridge to set as the chocolate cools.
9. Unwrap the cheese ball from the plastic and roll in the chopped walnuts.
10. Place the cheese ball onto a serving plate or board.
11. To create turkey tail feathers, layer the board with rows of pretzels, Ritz and Bretons.
12. Stick pretzel sticks into the top of the cheese ball to make more turkey feathers.
13. Press pecan pieces into the base of the cheeseball to create turkey feet.
14. Finally, place the pretzel rod into the turkey body, making the cheesy turkey complete.
How to store?
This easy cheese ball recipe is just as good the next day, in fact, its the perfect make-ahead appetizer for the holiday season! Simply store leftovers in an airtight container for up to a week in the refrigerator.
Every time that I make this turkey appetizer it looks a little but different. Try changing it up!
Next Time, Try This!
- Use chopped pecans instead of walnuts.
- Try adding goat cheese or sharp cheddar cheese.
- Use a slim jim to make the turkey neck and face.
- Make this Turkey Charcuterie instead!
- Check out these 20+ Charcuterie Boards for more ideas!
What to serve with a homemade cheese ball?
- Pretzel sticks
- Ritz Cracker
- Tortilla chips
- Pita chips
- Celery sticks
- Pretzel twists
- Sliced yellow bell pepper, orange bell pepper or red pepper strips
- Baby carrots
Looking for more fun appetizer ideas? Try one of these delicious recipes…
I love that you only need a few simple ingredients from the grocery store. I try to keep these ones on hand, so that I’m ready for our next thanksgiving feast!
If you love this easy turkey cheese ball, please give it a five star review and help me share it on Facebook or Pinterest so that others can enjoy it too!
Happy Thanksgiving friends!
Turkey Cheese Ball Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz dill cream cheese room temperature
- 1 cup white cheddar cheese finely shredded
- 1/2 cup walnuts chopped
- 1 cup pretzel twists
- 1 cup Ritz crackers
- 1/2 cup Breton mini crackers
- 1/4 cup thin pretzel sticks
- 1 pretzel rod
- 1 Tbsp chocolate melting wafers
- Candy eyes
- Candy corn
- Pecan halves
Instructions
- Mix cream cheese and shredded cheese in a large bowl.
- Stir the cheese mixture until well combined.
- Place a large piece of plastic wrap on the counter.
- Drop the cream cheese mixture into the center and wrap to form a ball shape.
- Place the wrapped cheese ball in the refrigerator for at least one hour to firm up.
- To make the turkey head, melt chocolate wafers in the microwave.
- Use the chocolate to stick the eyes and candy corn to one end of the pretzel rod.
- Place in the fridge to set as the chocolate cools.
- Unwrap the cheese ball from the plastic and roll in the chopped walnuts.
- Place the cheese ball onto a serving plate or board.
- To create turkey tail feathers, layer the board with rows of pretzels, Ritz and Bretons.
- Stick pretzel sticks into the top of the cheese ball to make more turkey feathers.
- Press pecan pieces into the base of the cheeseball to create turkey feet.
- Finally, place the pretzel rod into the turkey body, making the cheesy turkey complete.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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