Easy Rice Krispie Turkey Legs – Cutest Thanksgiving Dessert

Make these adorable Rice Krispie turkey legs for the cutest Thanksgiving sweet treat ever! They’re fun, festive, and surprisingly simple – made with everyday ingredients like crispy rice cereal, peanut butter, mini marshmallows, cocoa powder, and pretzel rods dipped in white chocolate to form the “bones.” The cocoa-peanut butter twist gives the “turkey meat” that perfect golden-brown look, making them even more realistic (and extra delicious!). These kid-friendly cereal treats are such a fun holiday project and always stand out on a Thanksgiving dessert table. You can prep them ahead, keep them at room temperature, and wow everyone when it’s time for dessert after Thanksgiving dinner!

Easy Rice Krispie Turkey Legs – Cutest Thanksgiving Dessert

Fun and festive foods bring extra joy to holiday tables, and these cutie rice krispie turkey treats are no different!

We take your standard rice krispie treat recipe but give it a cocoa peanut butter twist. Not only does that make it extra delicious, but it adds more color to the “turkey meat” part and makes it look more real!

You can prep these fun holiday treats in advance and wow your guests when they show up after Thanksgiving dinner.

What makes these the cutest thanksgiving dessert

These Rice Krispie turkey legs are the definition of a fun holiday treat – they look playful and festive while still being totally doable with simple ingredients.

The white chocolate-dipped pretzel rod “bones” add the cutest touch and make the treats so easy to hold (kids go wild for this!).

Whether they’re sitting on a Thanksgiving dessert table, packed up for a Friendsgiving, or made as a November baking activity with kiddos, these sweet treats always get big smiles.

They’re the kind of dessert that instantly becomes a new Thanksgiving favorite!

Why you’ll love these Thanksgiving Rice Krispie treats

Easy to make – Just a couple extra steps after making the Rice Krispie treat mixture will leave you with a fun turkey day dessert!

A fun treat – Rice Krispies turkey legs really stand out on a Thanksgiving table setting. These cereal treats are fun to pick up and eat like you would a turkey drumstick!

Delicious – The peanut butter and cocoa powder add a really nice flavor to the mix.

What you need for this fun dessert

Please scroll down to see the recipe card I’ve included below for the full ingredients list, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions.

• White chocolate chips – These melt into the perfect coating for the pretzel “bones.” You can also use white candy melts if you want the chocolate to set a little faster.
• Pretzel rods – When broken in half and topped with mini marshmallows, they create the cutest turkey leg “drumstick bones.” Look for thicker rods so they hold their shape well.
• Mini marshmallows – You’ll use these in two ways: to melt into the Rice Krispie mixture and to create the little bone nubs on the pretzel ends. They melt quickly and evenly.
• Unsalted butter – Helps the marshmallows melt smoothly and gives the cereal mixture that classic, soft Rice Krispie treat texture.
• Peanut butter – Adds amazing flavor and helps naturally deepen the color of the “turkey meat.” Any creamy peanut butter works.
• Rice krispie cereal – Classic crispy rice cereal is the base of these treats. You can also swap in cocoa versions for an extra dark “turkey” color.
• Cocoa powder – A small amount mixed into the cereal creates that golden brown turkey-leg look and adds a subtle chocolate flavor.

How to make Rice Krispie turkey legs (step-by-step instructions)

Step 1: Before making the rice krispie mixture you want to prep the “bone”. In a microwave-safe bowl melt the white chocolate. You can also do this over a double boiler. Break the pretzel rod in half. Dip a mini marshmallow in the melted chocolate and press into the broken end of the pretzel stick on the edge. Repeat so that you have 2 mini marshmallows on the end of each pretzel rod. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet (or wax paper). Repeat with the remaining pretzel rods. Chill in the fridge to harden.

Step 2: Now make the marshmallow mixture. In a large pot over medium heat melt the butter. Add the mini marshmallows and stir to melt into the butter. When almost fully melted, mix in the peanut butter.

Step 3: When the mixture is fully melted together and smooth, pour in the cereal and cocoa powder. Mix fully.

Step 4: Now create the turkey drumsticks. Use cooking spray or oil to oil the hands to prevent sticking. Work quickly with 3/4-1 cup of the mixture at a time, shape it into a drumstick shape while adding a prepped pretzel rod into the center. Place on a sheet to chill to room temperature. Repeat until you’ve used all of the mixture. Makes about 10-16.

Step 5: Re-melt the white chocolate if it’s cooled too much. Take the cooled drumstick and dip the pretzel end of the rod into the chocolate. Place on a lined sheet to chill until the chocolate sets. Serve and enjoy!

Watch me make turkey dinner treats!

The full how to video can be watched below, or on my YouTube channel!

Pro tips for perfect rice krispies treats turkey legs

• Prep the bones first: The white chocolate-coated mini marshmallows need time to harden, so get those pretzel sticks ready before mixing the cereal.
• Use a large pot: The marshmallow-peanut butter mixture gets sticky fast, and more space makes stirring everything together way easier.
• Oil your hands well: Cooking spray or a little avocado oil helps the mixture shape smoothly without sticking to your hands.
• Work while the mixture is warm: The cereal mixture firms up as it cools, so shape the turkey legs as soon as the mixture is coated.
• Chill briefly: Let the shaped turkey legs rest on parchment paper or wax paper until set – this helps them hold their shape.
• Avoid overpacking: Gently press the cereal mixture around the pretzel rod. If you compress it too tightly, the texture becomes dense instead of crispy.

Fun variations to try

• Extra chocolatey: Swap regular crispy rice cereal for Cocoa Krispies or Cocoa Pebbles for a darker, richer “turkey” color.
• Nut-free option: Use sunflower seed butter or tahini instead of peanut butter for an allergy-friendly version.
• Candy melt bones: White candy melts work perfectly in place of white chocolate chips and set even faster.
• Maple twist: Add a tablespoon of maple syrup or a splash of vanilla extract to the marshmallow mixture for deeper fall flavor.
• Mini turkey legs: Use smaller portions of the cereal mixture to make bite-sized treats – perfect for big dessert tables or classroom parties.

How to store rice krispie treat turkey legs (room temperature + refrigeration)

These treats store really well and can be prepped in advance.  Once made, simply add it to an airtight container and keep it at room temperature for up to 5 days.

If you want to store them in the fridge, just bring them to room temperature before serving, or they’ll be very hard to eat.

Substitutions, optional variations & dietary adjustments

Below you’ll find a list of substitutions that will work well in this turkey leg rice krispie treats recipe. 

If you try something different out, please leave a comment below letting us all know how it turned out!

White chocolate chips – White candy melts are a good alternative to use in place of white chocolate chips. You can also melt cocoa butter with a little maple syrup for a naturally sweetened option.

Mini marshmallows – You could also use regular-sized marshmallows in this recipe, however, to attach a nob to the end of the pretzel rod you’ll want to cut the marshmallow into small pieces.

Peanut butter – Try this recipe with any other nut or seed butter.

Rice Krispie cereal – Any puffed rice cereal will work here. For a darker color with more chocolate flavor, use cocoa krispies!

More fun dessert recipes you’ll love

• White chocolate bark with autumn trees
• 3 ingredient no bake brownies
• Frozen peanut butter cup pie
• Turkey shaped veggie tray
• Fruit turkey platter

If you try this turkey rice krispie treats recipe, I’d love it if you left a star rating and comment below letting me know how it turned out!

XO

Heather

Originally published November 2023. Updated November 2025.