Little Turkeys
Delight your family and guests with these adorable and delicious "Little Turkeys," a creative twist on classic turkey meatballs that’s perfect for holiday gatherings, kids’ parties, or festive snacking! These bite-sized appetizers combine the savory goodness of ground turkey, Parmesan cheese, and a medley of flavorful seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme. They’re baked to golden perfection, then dressed up with mini pretzel sticks, cheddar cheese triangles, black olives, and red bell pepper to resemble charming miniature turkeys. Not only are they packed with protein and holiday flair, but they’re also fun to assemble and quick to prepare, with just 20 minutes of prep and cook time each. Serve these whimsical turkey meatballs warm on a platter, and watch them steal the show at any festive occasion! Perfect as a Thanksgiving appetizer, kid-friendly snack, or festive conversation starter, they’re sure to be a hit with guests of all ages.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 sticks mini pretzel sticks
- 3 slices cheddar cheese slices
- 6 slices black olives (sliced)
- 6 strips red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Mix until the ingredients are well incorporated.
Roll the turkey mixture into 12 evenly sized meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown on the outside.
While the meatballs are cooking, prepare the decorations: Cut each cheddar cheese slice into 4 small triangles to use for tail feathers. Cut each black olive slice in half to create eyes. Trim the red bell pepper strips to make small wattle shapes.
Once the meatballs are cooked, allow them to cool slightly so they are easier to handle.
Insert 2 mini pretzel sticks into the back of each meatball to resemble 'legs'. Attach 2 cheddar cheese triangles to the top of each meatball, using pretzel sticks or toothpicks if necessary, to mimic tail feathers.
Attach half-slices of black olives for eyes and a small strip of red bell pepper for the wattle using toothpicks or a small dab of cream cheese as adhesive if needed.
Arrange the completed 'Little Turkeys' on a serving platter and serve warm as a delightful appetizer or snack!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1478 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 78.6 g | 101% | |
| Saturated Fat | 35.1 g | 176% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 636 mg | 212% | |
| Sodium | 3690 mg | 160% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 65.5 g | 24% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.5 g | 20% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.9 g | ||
| Protein | 131.3 g | 263% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 940 mg | 72% | |
| Iron | 9.3 mg | 52% | |
| Potassium | 333 mg | 7% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
