Do you love Cheese as much as I do? Seriously… my favorite appetizer or snack? Cheese! Put it in a cute form, with seasoning and crackers… oh yum! I’ve had this recipe for several years and it’s been a hit at every event I’ve taken it too. I’ve given the basic cheese ball a lift today by turning it into this adorable Turkey Cheese Ball Appetizer.
Turkey Cheese Ball Appetizer-
A fun story about this recipe.. Several years ago I made a batch of this cheese dip {not in turkey form} for my husband and I to take on a long flight at Christmas time… it was confiscated at security with the new liquid/gel rule. My husband was so sad! {he doesn’t like plane food!} and still to this day talks about that incident every time I make this dip… love it!
The ingredients are quite simple and I’m sure you have most around the house.
Here’s the full recipe:
Turkey Cheese Ball Appetizer
Each and festive turkey cheese ball for Thanksgiving
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Philadelphia Cream Cheese softened {light?}
- 1/4 Cup Kraft Mayo {light?}
- 2 TBS minced Garlic
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 1/2 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 bag of small pretzel rods
- nuts for eyes, nose and feet
Instructions
- Put the soft cream cheese in a med. mixing bowl.
- Add the Mayo and mix well.
- Mix in the garlic, lemon and paprika.
- Add 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese and mix in all in.
- Shape into a round ball, keeping another 2/4 cup of the cheese for the head.
- create a round head with the reserved cheese and place on top of the body. Use an almond for the beak with a walnut next to it. Two walnuts on pretzel also work for the feet. I used pistachio shells for the eyes.
- Stick pretzels into the back side in lots and lots of layers. I sprinkled a bit more cheese on top like feathers.
- Serve and enjoy the compliments ;o)
Do you celebrate Thanksgiving with friends, family or both? We live too far from family to make the trip for a long weekend, so Thanksgiving for us is a true Friendsgiving event… I’ll be bringing this turkey appetizer for sure. We usually cook up two huge turkeys, then all bring other dishes in a great big pot-luck Thanksgiving dinner.. the food is always so amazing and the evening is full of fun.
Dip right in and enjoy! You will need to put a bowl of the pretzels next to the turkey as the tail feathers will be eaten up quick!
If you need more inspiration, check out the Cooking Up Good website. It has recipes, sweepstakes, loyalty programs, coupons and more! What’s not to love? If you’re looking for a new dinner idea or a chance to win some awesome prizes, be sure to check it out!
Get lots of other great ideas for your Thanksgiving..
Here are a couple other great appetizer ideas that I’ve shared in the past:
And some other super tasty sides that would be perfect for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Sides
A great list of sides dishes perfect for the Thanksgiving table
Stephanie says
What a cute, and festive, idea for an appetizer! Pinning this for later, thanks for sharing! #client
Kim @ 2justByou says
This is so cute! I pinned it.
Evelyn @ My Turn for us says
What a super cute Cheese Ball!! And loving the ingredients!! Would love to try to make this!!
Hugs
Margaret says
Sooo cute! Sounds yummy too.
Nicky says
What a fun idea! The kids are sure to goggle this up on Thanksgiving as a pre-dinner app.
Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads says
This is the funnest cheeseball I’ve ever seen! Great idea!!
Jamie @ Coffee With Us 3 says
This is so adorable! What a cute idea!
Melanie says
What a creative and unique cheese ball!
Katie says
The ingredients sound really good!
Britney @ The Princess & Her Cowboys says
Looks like fun! I’m sure that the kiddos will love it!
Emily @ Love, Pasta and a Tool Belt says
What a great and super cute appetizer! I love this. Pinning!
Nicole says
He’s so cute! 🙂
Stephanie says
I’ve never made a cheese ball. I had no idea they were that easy to make. This one is super cute! Going to have to pin it so I can remember to make it!
Emily says
what? CHeese balls are the best!!! and so easy!! You should totally try!
Stephanie Pass says
That is so cute! Perfect for Thanksgiving!
Jen @ Simple Nails and Beauty says
This is seriously the cutest cheese ball I have ever seen. What a great idea!
Britni says
Bet my son would eat this before I’ll finish creating it.
Deanna says
Oh this is so awesome! My kids would love to have this as an appetizer on Thanksgiving. I’m so glad that you shared this. Thanks!
Emily says
thanks! we love it too! it’s a prefect one for kids and family!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
What a creative idea! I love it! Pinning!
Sandra says
I love how cute this turned out! How fun!!
Debi @ Life Currents says
This is simply adorable! I love it! And, my niece will love it too! Thanks!