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Turkey Cheeseball

Featured in Quick and Easy Appetizers.

Transform a classic bacon-ranch cheeseball into a turkey with a pretzel feather tail and cheesy head. It's a hit for Thanksgiving, with tasty cheese fun for all ages!

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Emily Watson
Updated on Fri, 04 Apr 2025 00:06:48 GMT
A colorful snack crafted to resemble a turkey, featuring bacon and cheese detailing with pretzel sticks for feathers, surrounded by extra pretzels. Pin it
A colorful snack crafted to resemble a turkey, featuring bacon and cheese detailing with pretzel sticks for feathers, surrounded by extra pretzels. | thefamilycooks.com

This cute Turkey Cheeseball adds joy and taste to your festive gatherings! Whipped up with smooth cheese, crunchy bacon, and tangy ranch mix, then spruced up with pretzel "feathers," this Turkey Cheeseball gets people talking right away. Awesome with crackers or fresh veggies, it'll definitely grab all the attention on your snack table.

Basic Stuff You'll Need

For the Turkey Cheeseball center:

Smooth Foundation:
Room temperature cream cheese with sour cream.
Cheese Wonder:
Grated cheddar or whatever mix you like.
Taste Enhancer:
Ranch mix and garlic powder.
Spicy Hint:
Red pepper bits or paprika.

For the outer look:

Crispy Addition:
Bits of bacon for some crunch.
Turkey Parts:
Pretzels to make the neck and feathers.
Fun Details:
Candy eyes and cheese slices for the face.

Building Your Bird

Mix cheese stuff with flavors and bacon chunks.

Form two balls - bigger one for the body, smaller for the head.

Let them get cold and firm, at least 4 hours.

Join head to body using a pretzel stick.

Stick on face parts to create your turkey.

Arrange pretzels as tail feathers.

Tricks For Best Results

Let your Turkey Cheeseball cool down long enough so it keeps its shape. Always go with fresh bacon for better taste. Stick those pretzel feathers in deep so they don't fall over. Try different cheese combos if you want, and make it ahead to save time when you've got guests coming.

A creamy dessert salad topped with cheddar cheese and pecans, served in a white bowl alongside a dish of mixed nuts. Pin it
A creamy dessert salad topped with cheddar cheese and pecans, served in a white bowl alongside a dish of mixed nuts. | thefamilycooks.com

How To Enjoy And Keep

Offer your Turkey Cheeseball cold with lots of dipping options nearby. Any extra stuff stays good wrapped up in the fridge for three days. Wanna plan ahead? You can make the cheese mix early and put everything together just before your friends show up.

Cool Ways To Switch It Up

Put your own spin on this Turkey Cheeseball! Throw in some fresh herbs, kick it up with chopped jalapeños, or skip the meat with sun-dried tomatoes instead. You can even play with food coloring to match your holiday theme.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can this be prepped early?

Prepare and shape the cheese mix up to three days before. However, wait to add pretzels and garnishes until serving time so they stay nice and crisp.

→ Why skip ranch dip packets?

Ranch seasoning is stronger than dip packets and keeps the cheese mix thick. This makes shaping easier and the flavors more defined.

→ Is it okay to freeze this?

You can freeze just the cheese mixture, skipping the toppings. Keep in mind the texture gets slightly crumbly, so fresh is nicer for serving.

→ Will the pretzel rod stay secure?

Yes, if you press it firmly into the cheese base and top ball. Chilled cheese holds everything stable for setup and serving.

→ What if I don’t have candy eyes?

Tiny olive pieces work well, or leave them out entirely. The beak and pretzel feathers are enough to give it a turkey vibe.

Turkey Cheeseball

This fun holiday snack is cream cheese packed with bacon and ranch flavor, turned into a turkey shape. Great for seasonal gatherings!

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
240 Minutes
Total Time
255 Minutes

Category: Appetizers

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (3 cups)

Dietary: Low-Carb

Ingredients

01 1 block (12 ounces) softened cream cheese.
02 Half a cup of sour cream.
03 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar.
04 1 small square of cheddar cheese.
05 Three tablespoons of dry ranch seasoning.
06 1/2 teaspoon of dried red chili flakes.
07 A sprinkle (1/2 teaspoon) of garlic powder.
08 8 crispy bacon strips, crumbled.
09 1 big pretzel stick.
10 At least 3 large pretzel loops.
11 Over 5 mini pretzels.
12 2 small candy eyeballs.

Instructions

Step 01

Whip the sour cream with cream cheese. Sprinkle in the seasonings. Stir in cheddar and 1/3 cup of the bacon pieces. Save about 3 tablespoons of the mix for later.

Step 02

Roll the mixture into a big ball (body) and a smaller one (head). Cover them with cling film and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours—or overnight, if you can wait.

Step 03

Stick the big pretzel rod through the smaller ball into the larger one. Add the cheddar square as a beak and attach the candy eyes. Arrange large pretzel loops as a tail. Use mini pretzels for extra details in the front. Top the setup with the bacon leftovers.

Step 04

Leave it cold until you're ready. Serve alongside some crackers for dipping.

Notes

  1. Store completed dish in your fridge for up to 3 days.
  2. You can freeze the cheese mix, but keep decorations off until serving.
  3. Make sure to use ranch powder, not the dip version.
  4. It's best when you put it together the day you want to eat it.

Tools You'll Need

  • A big bowl for mixing.
  • Plastic wrap to cover.
  • A sturdy spoon for stirring.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy: cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar.
  • Pretzels include wheat.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 220
  • Total Fat: 18 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 8 g
  • Protein: 9 g