When you think of Thanksgiving desserts, what comes to mind? I bet it’s a parade of pies. Pumpkin, apple, pecan, you name it. And while I love a good pie, sometimes the dessert table needs a little shake up. Something unexpected. Something playful.
That’s where these little guys come in. Meet your new favorite holiday treat: Donut Hole Turkey Pops. They are the definition of fun Thanksgiving desserts, and they are ridiculously easy to put together. Seriously, there’s no baking involved. Just pure, simple, decorating fun.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, these treats are all about ease. The holiday season can be chaotic, right? The last thing you need is another complicated recipe. These turkey pops are one of the most easy Thanksgiving treats you can find. You just need a handful of store bought items.
Another reason to adore them? They are a fantastic activity for little ones. If you’re looking for Thanksgiving treats for kids that they can actually help make, this is it. They can dip the donut holes, add the sprinkles, and feel like little chefs. It keeps them busy and creates sweet memories.
They are also completely charming. Imagine these little turkey pops arranged on a platter. They add so much personality and color to your dessert spread. They are a conversation starter for sure. People will definitely be asking you how you made them.
Customization is another big plus. You can switch up the sprinkles, use different kinds of chocolate, or try various toppings. This recipe is more of a guideline than a strict rulebook. It allows you to get creative and make your own unique Thanksgiving themed desserts.
Finally, they are just plain tasty. A sweet, chocolatey donut hole with a salty, crunchy pretzel stick. It’s a simple combination that just works. It’s a light, poppable treat after a heavy Thanksgiving meal. What’s not to love about that?
Ingredients
The shopping list for these fun Thanksgiving desserts is wonderfully short and simple. You can find everything you need at pretty much any grocery store, which is a huge win during the busy holiday week. No specialty stores required!
Here’s what you’ll need to grab. Remember, you can get creative with these, so feel free to pick your favorite types of chocolate and sprinkles to make these Thanksgiving themed desserts your own.
- 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
- 1 cup melted chocolate (milk, semi sweet, or dark chocolate chips work well)
- Assorted sprinkles (fall colors like red, orange, and yellow are great)
- Chopped peanuts (or other chopped nuts)
- 1 dozen glazed donut holes
- 6 pretzel rods
A quick note on the pretzel rods. The recipe calls for six, but I recommend having a few extra on hand just in case one or two break. It happens to the best of us! Now, let’s get to making these adorable treats.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Alright, let’s get into the fun part. Assembling these little turkeys is so simple and satisfying. I’ll walk you through each step to make sure your turkey pops turn out beautifully. Let’s make some amazing easy Thanksgiving treats!
Step 1: Get Your Chocolate Ready
First things first, we need to melt our chocolate. You can use a microwave or a double boiler. If using the microwave, place your chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Heat them in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is smooth.
Once the chocolate is fully melted and glossy, it’s time to add the coconut oil. Pour the tablespoon of coconut oil into the melted chocolate. Whisk it together until it’s completely combined. You’ll notice the chocolate becomes even smoother and a bit thinner. This is exactly what we want.
Why the coconut oil, you ask? It serves two purposes. It helps the chocolate firm up with a nice, shiny finish. It also makes the chocolate the right consistency for dipping. This little trick makes the process so much smoother.
Step 2: Set Up Your Decoration Station
Now it’s time to prepare for decorating. This is my favorite part, and it’s where you can really get creative. Pour your sprinkles and chopped nuts into separate small, shallow bowls. Having them in bowls makes the dipping process clean and easy.
I like to use a few different kinds of sprinkles for variety. Some classic fall colored jimmies, maybe some nonpareils, or even some edible glitter for a little sparkle. This is a great step to get the kids involved in making their own Thanksgiving treats for kids. They love mixing and matching the toppings.
You’ll also want to prepare the pretzel rods. Gently break each pretzel rod in half. These will become the necks and heads of our little turkeys. Set them aside next to your topping bowls. Having everything ready to go assembly line style makes the next step a breeze.
Step 3: Assemble Your Turkeys
It’s assembly time! This is where the magic happens and our ingredients transform into cute turkey pops. Grab a glazed donut hole. Hold it gently and dunk one side into the melted chocolate mixture. You want to cover about one third to one half of the donut hole.
Let any excess chocolate drip off for a second. Then, immediately dip the chocolate covered part into your bowl of sprinkles or chopped nuts. The toppings will act as the turkey’s colorful tail feathers. Don’t be shy with the toppings, a generous coating looks best.
Next, take one of your pretzel rod halves. Carefully insert the broken end of the pretzel into the center of the chocolate covered side of the donut hole. The pretzel stick becomes the turkey’s neck. Just like that, you have created one of the most fun Thanksgiving desserts ever.
Step 4: Let Them Set
Once you’ve assembled a turkey pop, you need to let the chocolate set. The best way to do this is to place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper. This prevents the chocolate from sticking as it hardens.
Continue the process of dipping and decorating with the rest of your donut holes. Arrange them on the baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one so they don’t stick together. This is another fun task for helpers.
Let the turkey pops sit at room temperature for about 10 to 15 minutes. The chocolate should be firm to the touch once it’s ready. If you’re in a hurry, you can pop the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 5 minutes to speed things up. And that’s it! Your adorable treats are ready to be served.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any of these little guys left over, storing them is simple. It’s best to enjoy them the same day they are made for the freshest taste, as donut holes can get a bit stale. But they will still be tasty the next day.
Place the leftover turkey pops in a single layer in an airtight container. If you need to stack them, place a sheet of parchment paper between the layers to prevent them from sticking together. This helps keep your beautiful creations intact.
You can store the container at room temperature for up to two days. If your house is particularly warm, you might want to store them in the refrigerator. Just know that refrigeration can sometimes make the donut part a little firm, but they will still be delicious.
Tips
Want to make your turkey pops even better? I’ve got a few extra tips and tricks up my sleeve. These suggestions can help you customize your fun Thanksgiving desserts and make the process even smoother. Let’s talk about some ideas.
First, feel free to experiment with different types of donut holes. While glazed are classic and delicious, cake donut holes work great too. Chocolate, blueberry, or even red velvet donut holes could add another layer of flavor and fun to your treats.
When it comes to chocolate, don’t be afraid to mix it up. White chocolate can be a nice alternative, and you could even dye it with a little food coloring for more colorful turkeys. Chocolate melting wafers are also a great option as they are designed to melt smoothly and set up quickly.
Let’s talk toppings. Beyond sprinkles and nuts, consider shredded coconut, mini chocolate chips, or crushed toffee bits. You could even use a bit of frosting to add tiny eyes to the pretzel necks for extra detail. These little touches make your Thanksgiving themed desserts stand out.
If you’re making these with kids, embrace the mess. Put down some newspaper or a plastic tablecloth to make cleanup easier. Give each child their own little bowl of toppings to avoid squabbles. The goal is to have fun making these Thanksgiving treats for kids, not to create a masterpiece.
For a clean presentation, after inserting the pretzel stick, you can stand the turkey pops up in a block of floral foam while they set. This prevents the chocolate on the bottom from flattening. It makes for a really professional looking display when you serve them.
Conclusion
So there you have it. A simple, charming, and absolutely delicious recipe that is sure to be a hit at your next Thanksgiving gathering. These Donut Hole Turkey Pops are proof that holiday treats don’t have to be complicated to be special. They are truly one of the most fun Thanksgiving desserts you can make.
They check all the boxes. They’re no bake, they’re fast, and they are a wonderful way to get the whole family involved in the kitchen. These easy Thanksgiving treats bring a dose of playful energy to the dessert table, which is always a welcome addition during the holidays.
I hope you and your family have a blast making and eating these adorable little turkeys. They are more than just a dessert, they are an activity and a memory in the making. Happy Thanksgiving, and happy decorating!
FAQ
Can I Use Something Other Than Pretzel Rods?
Absolutely! If you don’t have pretzel rods, you could use pretzel sticks for smaller turkeys. You could also try chocolate covered pretzel sticks, or even something like Pocky sticks for a different flavor. Lollipop sticks would also work well if you want a non edible option.
What’s The Best Way To Melt Chocolate?
The microwave method is usually the easiest. Just be sure to heat it in short 20 to 30 second intervals and stir each time. This prevents the chocolate from burning. A double boiler on the stovetop also works wonderfully. It provides gentle, even heat, which is great for melting chocolate perfectly.
Can I Make These Gluten Free?
Yes, you can easily adapt this to be gluten free. You would need to find gluten free donut holes, which are available at many specialty bakeries or in the freezer section of some grocery stores. You would also need to use gluten free pretzel rods or sticks. The rest of the ingredients are typically gluten free, but always double check the labels.
How Many Turkeys Does This Recipe Make?
This recipe is based on using one dozen donut holes, so it will make 12 turkey pops. It’s a very easy recipe to scale up or down. If you need more, simply double or triple the ingredients. It’s a great recipe for a crowd because it’s so simple to make a large batch.
My Chocolate Is Too Thick. What Should I Do?
If your melted chocolate seems too thick for dipping, you can thin it out by adding a little more coconut oil. Add just a tiny bit at a time, about a quarter teaspoon, and whisk it in until you reach the desired consistency. Be careful not to add too much, or the chocolate might not set properly.
Donut Hole Turkey Pops
These easy-to-make Donut Hole Turkey Pops are a playful, no-bake holiday treat perfect for Thanksgiving. They are simple to assemble and a fun activity for kids, adding charm and sweetness to your dessert table.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Stir in coconut oil until fully combined.
- Set up your decoration station: Pour sprinkles and chopped nuts into separate shallow bowls. Gently break each pretzel rod in half.
- Dip one side of a glazed donut hole into the melted chocolate mixture. Immediately dip the chocolate-covered part into sprinkles or chopped nuts for “tail feathers.”
- Insert a pretzel rod half into the center of the chocolate-covered donut hole.
- Place assembled turkey pops on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat for remaining donut holes.
- Let turkey pops set at room temperature for 10-15 minutes (or 5 minutes in the refrigerator). Serve when chocolate is firm.
Notes
If you happen to have any of these little guys left over, storing them is simple. Place the leftover turkey pops in a single layer in an airtight container. If you need to stack them, place a sheet of parchment paper between the layers to prevent them from sticking together. You can store the container at room temperature for up to two days. If your house is particularly warm, you might want to store them in the refrigerator. Just know that refrigeration can sometimes make the donut part a little firm, but they will still be delicious.
Feel free to experiment with different types of donut holes (cake, chocolate, blueberry, red velvet). White chocolate can be an alternative, or use chocolate melting wafers. Beyond sprinkles and nuts, consider shredded coconut, mini chocolate chips, or crushed toffee bits. You could even use frosting for tiny eyes on the pretzel necks.
When making with kids, put down newspaper or a plastic tablecloth for easier cleanup. Give each child their own small bowl of toppings to avoid squabbles. For a clean presentation, stand turkey pops in floral foam while they set to prevent chocolate flattening on the bottom.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
