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These Turkey Leg Rice Krispie Treats are such a fun Thanksgiving dessert. They’re cute, a little silly, and perfect for a Thanksgiving dessert table, Friendsgiving party, or kids’ Thanksgiving celebration. And even though they look impressive, they’re made with just a handful of simple ingredients.
Why You’ll Love These Rice Krispie Turkey Legs
These turkey leg treats are a fun twist on classic Rice Krispie squares and are surprisingly simple to put together. The cocoa powder gives the cereal mixture that roasted turkey color without changing the recipe too much, while the pretzel rod gives you the perfect edible “bone.”
They’re also easy to make ahead and don’t require any baking, which is always a bonus when the oven is already working overtime on Thanksgiving!
If you’re planning a fun Thanksgiving dessert table, you might also like adorable Pumpkin Pie Rice Krispie Treats, simple Sugared Cranberries, 4 ingredient Apple Dump Cake, or these fall favorite Pumpkin Spice Cookies and Pumpkin Spice Coffee.
Ingredients You Will Need
- White melting wafers: white melting wafers create the white coating for the turkey leg “bones.”
- Pretzel rods: cut in half, give you bones for the turkey legs.
- Mini marshmallows: for the ends of the bones.
- Butter: molds the cereal together.
- Cocoa powder: depending on how dark you want the turkey legs.
- Rice Krispies cereal: provides the “meat” of the turkey legs.
A full list of ingredients is included in the recipe card below.
Variations
- Skip the cocoa: Leave out the cocoa powder if you prefer classic Rice Krispie treats. Your turkey legs will simply be a lighter color.
- Make them darker: Add a little more cocoa powder until you get the color you want.
- Use Cocoa Krispies: Cocoa Rice Krispies can also be used for an even darker turkey leg. Just keep in mind that this will change both the color and the chocolate flavor.
How to Make Rice Krispie Turkey Legs
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside. Fill a small saucepan about one-quarter full with water and place a double boiler over the top. The water should sit just below the double boiler without touching it. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer. Add the white melting wafers and stir until completely melted and smooth. (You can also melt in a microwave safe bowl, in 30 second increments, stirring each time, until melted and smooth.)
- Dip each pretzel rod half into the melted white wafers, gently shaking off any excess coating.
- Place the coated pretzel rods on the prepared baking sheet. While the coating is still soft, press two mini marshmallows onto the dipped end of each pretzel rod. Refrigerate for about 5 minutes, or until the coating has set. Keep the remaining melting wafers warm over a low simmer, stirring occasionally so they stay smooth.
- Remove the pretzel bones from the refrigerator and dip them into the melted wafers a second time. This second coating helps cover the pretzel and marshmallows and gives the bones a smoother, more finished appearance. Return them to the parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for another 5 minutes to set.
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in two to three tablespoons of cocoa powder, and mini marshmallows. (Be sure to set aside 14 marshmallows for the bones) Stir together until melted and smooth.
- Add the Rice Krispies cereal and gently fold everything together until the cereal is evenly coated in the marshmallow mixture.
- Remove the prepared pretzel bones from the refrigerator. Lightly grease your hands or disposable gloves with cooking spray or vegetable oil. Scoop out about ½ to ¾ cup of the Rice Krispie mixture, depending on how large you want your turkey legs. Gently form the mixture into a ball, then insert one prepared pretzel bone into one end. Place the treat onto the parchment-lined baking sheet and use your hands to finish shaping it into a turkey leg.
- Repeat with the remaining Rice Krispie mixture and pretzel bones. Let the turkey legs sit for about 10 minutes to firm up before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Grease your hands: This mixture is VERY sticky! I find it easiest to wear disposable gloves and lightly spray them with cooking spray before shaping the turkey legs.
- Grease your measuring cup: If you want your turkey legs to be about the same size, use a ½ or ¾ cup measuring cup to portion the mixture. Give the inside of the measuring cup a quick spray with cooking spray first so the mixture slides out more easily.
- Work while they’re warm: Shape the turkey legs before the Rice Krispie mixture cools completely. Once it cools, it becomes much harder to mold.
- Adjust the color: Start with two tablespoons of cocoa powder and add more if you want a deeper brown color.
- Don’t let them sit too long: Rice Krispie treats become firmer the longer they sit. About 10 minutes is enough time for these to hold their shape while still staying soft and chewy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can make them ahead, but Rice Krispie treats are always best when they’re fresh and chewy. Store them tightly covered at room temperature to keep them from drying out.
No. The cocoa powder is mainly used to give the Rice Krispie mixture a darker color so it resembles a cooked turkey leg. You can leave it out for classic Rice Krispie treats.
If one gets firmer than you’d like, microwave it for about 5 to 10 seconds to soften it slightly. Be careful not to heat it too long because the coating on the pretzel bone can begin to melt.
Storage
Store leftover Rice Krispie Turkey Legs in an airtight container at room temperature. For the best texture, enjoy them while they’re still fresh and chewy. Avoid leaving them uncovered because Rice Krispie treats will begin to harden as they sit.
More Thanksgiving Recipes
Desserts
Pumpkin Pie Rice Krispies Treats
Smoker and BBQ Recipes
Smoked Turkey
Desserts
Homemade Pie Crust
Desserts
Pecan Pie Recipe
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Turkey Leg Rice Krispie Treats
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Parchment Paper
- Saucepan with double boiler or microwave, to melt wafers
Ingredients
- 10 ounces white melting wafers
- 7 pretzel rods, cut in half
- 12 ounces mini marshmallows, reserve 14 marshmallows for the bones
- 1/2 cup butter, (one stick)
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 3 tablespoons to make them darker
- 7 cups Rice Krispies cereal
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside. Fill a small saucepan about one-quarter full with water and place a double boiler over the top. The water should sit just below the double boiler without touching it. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer. Add the white melting wafers and stir until completely melted and smooth. (You can also melt in a microwave safe bowl, in 30 second increments, stirring each time, until melted and smooth.)
- Dip each pretzel rod half into the melted white wafers, gently shaking off any excess coating.
- Place the coated pretzel rods on the prepared baking sheet. While the coating is still soft, press two mini marshmallows onto the dipped end of each pretzel rod. Refrigerate for about 5 minutes, or until the coating has set.
- Remove the pretzel bones from the refrigerator and dip them into the melted wafers a second time, to cover the pretzel and marshmallows and give the bones a smoother, more finished appearance. Return them to baking sheet and refrigerate for another 5 minutes to set.
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in two to three tablespoons of cocoa powder, and mini marshmallows. (Take out 14 marshmallows first, and set aside, for the bones!) Stir together until melted and smooth.
- Add the Rice Krispies cereal and gently fold everything together until the cereal is evenly coated in the marshmallow mixture.
- Remove the prepared pretzel bones from the refrigerator. Lightly grease your hands or disposable gloves with cooking spray or vegetable oil. Scoop out about ½ to ¾ cup of the Rice Krispie mixture, depending on how large you want your turkey legs. Gently form the mixture into a ball, then insert one prepared pretzel bone into one end. Place the treat onto the parchment-lined baking sheet and use your hands to finish shaping it into a turkey leg.
- Repeat with the remaining Rice Krispie mixture and pretzel bones. Let the turkey legs sit for about 10 minutes to firm up before serving.
Notes
- Grease your hands: Lightly butter or spray your hands before shaping the treats so the marshmallow mixture doesn’t stick.
- Grease the measuring cup: This makes it much easier to portion out the sticky Rice Krispie mixture evenly.
- Work while warm: Shape the turkey legs while the mixture is still warm and pliable. Once it cools, it becomes much harder to mold.
- Adjust the cocoa color: Add a little more or less cocoa powder depending on how dark you want your turkey legs to look.
- Don’t let them sit too long: Shape the treats soon after mixing so they don’t firm up before you’re finished.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
So fun and easy to make! These were a huge hit and such a cute addition to our Thanksgiving dessert table.