If you are looking to add a sprinkle of playfulness and festive cheer to your holiday table, this Fun Thanksgiving Turkey Treats Recipe is an absolute winner. Combining crunchy popcorn, colorful peanut M&M’s, and craft materials, this delightful treat is as charming to look at as it is satisfying to munch on. Perfect for family gatherings or a kids’ activity, it brings together simple ingredients and a touch of creativity that makes Thanksgiving even more special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role, crafting the perfect harmony of flavors and fun. From the airy popcorn that provides the base crunch to the vibrant M&M’s that bring bright pops of color, these simple elements deliver a festive treat that engages both taste buds and imagination.
- 2 bags Microwave Popcorn (Popped): Acts as the fluffy, crunchy foundation of your turkey treat, offering a satisfying texture.
- Peanut M&M’s Harvest Color & Regular Color (green ones): Adds the earthy, nutty flavor and gorgeous fall-inspired hues to fill the fingers of the turkey glove.
- Plain M&M’s (red): Perfect for the thumb wattle, giving a bright, eye-catching red accent that truly brings the turkey to life.
- Disposable Gloves: Provides a fun and functional mold to hold all your goodies together in turkey form.
- Twist Ties: Secures the bottom of the glove and the thumb, ensuring the treat stays intact.
- Orange, Black & White Construction Paper: These colorful craft papers are essential for creating the turkey’s beak and expressive eyes.
- Glue: Holds the paper details in place to complete your turkey’s cheerful face.
How to Make Fun Thanksgiving Turkey Treats Recipe
Step 1: Pop the Popcorn
Start by popping your microwave popcorn according to the package instructions. Once popped, spread it out to cool so it maintains its lovely crunch and doesn’t get soggy when combined with other ingredients.
Step 2: Prepare the M&M Fingers
Put on a disposable glove and begin filling each finger with a different color from your peanut M&M’s collection. Don’t forget to fill the thumb halfway with red plain M&M’s – this becomes the iconic turkey wattle, adding a vibrant splash of color.
Step 3: Fill the Glove with Popcorn
Next, carefully fill the rest of the glove, including the palm area, with the cooled popcorn. This creates the fluffy body of your turkey treat, making it both texturally appealing and fun to eat.
Step 4: Seal It Up
Secure the bottom of the glove and the base of the thumb using twist ties. This step keeps all the ingredients snug inside, so your turkey takes shape perfectly without spilling popcorn or M&M’s.
Step 5: Craft the Beak and Eyes
Using the orange construction paper, cut out a triangle to serve as the turkey’s beak. From the white paper, cut a circle for the eye and a smaller black circle for the pupil. These features are key to giving your turkey its delightful, expressive face.
Step 6: Assemble the Eye
Glue the black pupil circle on top of the white eye circle to mimic a real eye. Then, attach the completed eye just above the wattle (the thumb). This step adds personality and charm that will surely bring smiles around the table.
Step 7: Attach the Beak
Finally, glue the orange beak where you twisted the thumb in the previous step. This finishing touch completes your Fun Thanksgiving Turkey Treats Recipe, ready to impress guests of all ages with its clever design and tasty contents.
How to Serve Fun Thanksgiving Turkey Treats Recipe
Garnishes
A little garnish goes a long way in enhancing the presentation of these sweet turkeys. Consider sprinkling a few extra peanut M&M’s around the serving plate for added color, or place mini candy corns nearby for an autumnal vibe that complements the treats.
Side Dishes
While these treats shine on their own, pairing them with some simple side dishes like caramel apples, spiced nuts, or even a warm apple cider can turn your festive table into a delightful spread of seasonal flavors that everyone will enjoy.
Creative Ways to Present
For a playful holiday centerpiece, arrange your turkey treats standing upright in a decorative bowl or basket lined with fall leaves or faux hay. Another charming idea is to tie small name tags to the twist ties, transforming the treats into personalized party favors or place settings for guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain the popcorn’s crunch. Avoid refrigeration as moisture can make the popcorn soggy and less enjoyable.
Freezing
Freezing this treat is not recommended because the popcorn texture and the paper decorations may suffer, leading to a less appealing final result once thawed.
Reheating
Reheating is unnecessary and not advised. The best way to enjoy this treat is fresh, ensuring that popcorn stays crisp and M&M’s are perfectly intact for maximum delight.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of candy instead of M&M’s?
Absolutely! While the classic peanut M&M’s add a fun texture and color, you could experiment with other small candies like candy-coated chocolate pieces or even mini gumdrops, just keep the size and texture in mind to maintain the treat’s shape.
Is this recipe safe for kids with nut allergies?
This particular recipe calls for peanut M&M’s, which contain nuts, so it’s not suitable for kids with nut allergies. However, you can substitute with plain M&M’s or other nut-free candies to make it safe and just as fun.
How long does it take to make these treats?
In total, this Fun Thanksgiving Turkey Treats Recipe takes about 15 minutes from start to finish, making it a quick and enjoyable craft to do even on a busy holiday day.
Can I make these turkeys without the gloves?
The disposable gloves act as a perfect mold and container for this treat, ensuring it holds together nicely. Without gloves, it would be tricky to achieve the turkey hand shape and keep the contents intact.
What’s a fun activity to do with these turkey treats?
They’re perfect for a Thanksgiving craft party with kids or as a group activity at holiday gatherings. Everyone can personalize their own turkey, which makes the entire experience memorable and interactive.
Final Thoughts
This Fun Thanksgiving Turkey Treats Recipe is a joyful blend of craftiness and taste that brings warmth and smiles to any festive table. It’s simple, colorful, and full of playful character that both kids and adults will adore. Give it a try this season and watch how a few popcorn kernels and candies can turn into a holiday memory worth savoring.
