Fun and Festive Thanksgiving Treats Kids Will Make

Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and of course, delicious food! While the adults are busy with the turkey and all the traditional fixings, why not get the little ones involved in the kitchen? This year, we’re diving into Adorable Turkey Pretzel Bites – Fun and Festive Thanksgiving Treats Kids Will Make, offering hands-on recipes that are not only easy and safe for children but also yield delightful results perfect for your holiday feast.

From adorable turkey-themed cookies to sweet pumpkin bites, these recipes are designed to spark creativity, teach basic cooking skills, and create cherished family memories. Get ready to turn your kitchen into a hub of festive fun!

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Key Ingredients for Adorable Turkey Pretzel Bites

To make these delightful and incredibly easy Turkey Pretzel Bites, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients:

1 bag (12 oz) pretzel rods: Look for the classic stick pretzels, as they form the perfect “body” for our turkeys.
1 bag (12 oz) M&M’s Plain Chocolate Candies: You’ll need a variety of colors for the turkey “feathers.” We recommend focusing on fall colors like red, orange, yellow, and brown, but any colors work!
1 cup candy melts (yellow or orange): These are essential for adhering the M&M’s to the pretzels. You can find them in the baking aisle of most grocery stores or craft stores.

1/4 cup mini chocolate chips: For the turkey eyes.
Small candy corn (about 20-30 pieces): These will be used for the turkey beaks.

How to Make Adorable Turkey Pretzel Bites:

These adorable turkey pretzel bites are a fantastic way to get kids involved in Thanksgiving prep! They’re incredibly easy to make, delivering a delightful blend of salty pretzels, sweet chocolate, and colorful M&M’s. The best part? Their simplicity means even the youngest chefs can help, making them a fun and satisfying addition to your holiday spread. This recipe takes approximately 30 minutes to prepare and assemble.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Prepare Your Workstation: Lay out a sheet of parchment paper or wax paper on a clean, flat surface. This will prevent the pretzels from sticking and make cleanup easier.

Melt the Candy Melts: Place the yellow or orange candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until completely melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat.
Arrange the Pretzel Rods: Carefully break each pretzel rod in half. You want pieces that are roughly 3-4 inches long to form the turkey bodies.
Create the Turkey Base: Dip one end of each broken pretzel rod into the melted candy melts, coating about 1 inch of the pretzel. Lay the coated pretzel piece on the parchment paper.

Add the “Feathers”: While the candy melt is still wet (this part works best if you work quickly with one pretzel at a time), have the kids arrange 4-5 M&M’s in a fan shape above the dipped end of the pretzel, pressing them gently into the melted candy. The M&M’s should look like colorful turkey feathers. Mix and match colors for a fun, festive look!
Add the Eyes and Beak: Before the candy melt fully sets, carefully place two mini chocolate chips (pointy side down) for the eyes. Then, position a small piece of candy corn (the pointed end facing out) just below the eyes for the beak.
Chill to Set: Once all your turkey pretzel bites are assembled, place the parchment paper with the pretzels onto a baking sheet or tray. Transfer the tray to the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes, or until the candy melts are completely firm.

Serve and Enjoy: Once set, carefully peel the turkey pretzel bites off the parchment paper. Arrange them on a platter and watch them disappear!

Why You’ll Love These Adorable Turkey Pretzel Bites:

You’ll absolutely adore these Adorable Turkey Pretzel Bites for several fantastic reasons! The main highlight is their incredible simplicity coupled with their undeniable cuteness – they instantly bring a smile to anyone’s face. Making them at home saves you a pretty penny compared to store-bought holiday treats, and the hands-on process is a wonderful way to create lasting memories with your kids in the kitchen.

The delightful combination of salty pretzel crunch, sweet chocolate, and vibrant candy makes for a truly flavorful and festive experience that’s hard to resist. If you enjoyed the easy assembly and colorful appeal of our “Rainbow Fruit Skewers,” you’ll find these Turkey Pretzel Bites equally engaging and delicious! Don’t wait, gather your little chefs and give these charming treats a try this Thanksgiving!

What to Serve Adorable Turkey Pretzel Bites With:

These Adorable Turkey Pretzel Bites are a delightful stand-alone treat, perfect for a Thanksgiving snack or a festive dessert. However, they can also be a wonderful addition to a larger spread.

Fruit Platter: Pair them with a colorful array of fresh fruits like grapes, apple slices, and clementine segments for a balanced sweet and tart combination.
Hot Chocolate Bar: Set up a hot chocolate bar with marshmallows, whipped cream, and sprinkles. The salty-sweet pretzels will be a delightful dipper!

Thanksgiving Dessert Table: Arrange them alongside other holiday desserts like pumpkin pie, apple crisp, or pecan tarts. Their whimsical nature adds a fun element to the traditional spread.
Cookie Exchange: These make fantastic additions to a holiday cookie exchange, offering something a little different and incredibly charming.
Coffee or Tea: For the adults, these pretzels pair surprisingly well with a warm cup of coffee or a comforting mug of herbal tea. The salt cuts through the richness beautifully.

Top Tips for Perfecting Adorable Turkey Pretzel Bites:

Work in Batches for Candy Melts: If your kitchen is warm, or you’re making a large quantity, melt smaller batches of candy melts as you go. This prevents the candy from hardening too quickly while you’re working. You can also keep the bowl of melted candy melts over a pot of simmering water (a makeshift double boiler) to maintain its liquid state.
Pre-sort M&M’s: To really speed up the process and make it easier for little hands, pre-sort your M&M’s into color piles. This allows kids to simply grab and place without rummaging, especially for specific “feather” colors.
Don’t Overheat Candy Melts: Overheating candy melts can cause them to seize up and become clumpy. If this happens, you can sometimes rescue them by stirring in a tiny amount of vegetable oil or shortening (about 1/4 teaspoon at a time) until smooth, but it’s best to avoid overheating in the first place.

Use Good Quality Pretzel Rods: Flimsy or overly salted pretzel rods can break easily. Opt for a reputable brand for sturdy “bodies.”
Get Creative with “Eyes”: If you don’t have mini chocolate chips, a tiny dot of black icing gel or even small edible candy eyes (found in the baking aisle) can work perfectly for the turkey eyes.
Set Up an Assembly Line: For a truly hands-on and efficient process with kids, set up an assembly line. One child dips the pretzels, another adds the M&M feathers, and another adds the eyes and beak. This makes it a fun group activity!

Allow Ample Chilling Time: Don’t rush the chilling process. If the candy melts aren’t fully set, the M&M’s and decorations can easily fall off. A firm set ensures sturdy turkeys.
Consider Other Candies: While M&M’s are perfect, you could experiment with other flat, colorful candies for feathers, like Reese’s Pieces or even small sections of licorice for a different texture.

Storing and Reheating Tips:

These Adorable Turkey Pretzel Bites are best enjoyed fresh, but they store remarkably well!

Storage at Room Temperature: Once fully set, you can store your turkey pretzel bites in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to 5-7 days. Lay them in a single layer or separate layers with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together. Avoid storing them in direct sunlight or warm environments, as the candy melts and chocolate may soften or melt.
Refrigeration: For longer storage, or if your home is particularly warm, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. However, be aware that pretzels can sometimes become slightly less crisp in the fridge, though the candy coating helps protect them. If you refrigerate them, let them come closer to room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before serving for optimal texture and flavor.
Freezing: These pretzel bites can be frozen for up to 1 month. Place the fully set turkey pretzels in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. When ready to enjoy, simply remove them from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes to an hour. Do not attempt to reheat them, as this will melt the candy and chocolate. Freezing and thawing may slightly alter the pretzel’s crispness, but they will still be delicious.

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Adorable Turkey Pretzel Bites FAQs:

Q: Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of candy melts?
A: While possible, regular chocolate chips are generally thinner when melted and don’t set as firmly or quickly as candy melts. Candy melts are formulated to harden quickly and provide a good “glue” for the M&M’s, making them ideal for this recipe. If using chocolate chips, you might need to add a teaspoon of coconut oil or shortening to thin them slightly and allow for quicker setting, but results may vary.

Q: Are these gluten-free?
A: The pretzel rods in this recipe contain gluten. However, you can easily make these gluten-free by substituting with certified gluten-free pretzel rods, which are widely available in most grocery stores. All other ingredients (M&M’s, candy melts, mini chocolate chips, candy corn) are typically gluten-free, but always check labels to be sure.

Q: My candy melts are too thick to dip. What should I do?
A: If your candy melts are too thick, they likely need a little thinning. Stir in 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of vegetable shortening (like Crisco) or a flavorless oil (like coconut oil) at a time, mixing well, until you reach a consistency that’s easy to dip. Do this while the candy melts are warm.

Q: How many turkey pretzel bites does this recipe make?
A: This recipe typically yields about 20-30 turkey pretzel bites, depending on the length you break your pretzel rods and if you use whole or broken pieces. A 12oz bag of pretzel rods contains a good number of pieces for an average batch.

Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! These turkey pretzel bites are perfect for making ahead. They store well at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week, or in the refrigerator for two weeks, making them an ideal preparation for your Thanksgiving festivities without last-minute rush.

Q: Can younger children participate in making these?
A: Yes! This recipe is fantastic for involving children of various ages. Younger kids (with supervision) can help by sorting M&M’s, pressing the M&M’s into the melted candy, and placing the chocolate chip eyes and candy corn beaks. Older children can assist with breaking pretzels (carefully!) and dipping, under adult guidance.

Fun and Festive Thanksgiving Treats Kids Will Make – Adorable Turkey Pretzel Bites