There is something especially fun about making a Thanksgiving dessert that makes everyone look twice before taking a bite. These Rice Krispie Turkey Leg Treats Using Pretzel Bones look like little turkey drumsticks, but underneath that playful shape, they are soft, chewy, chocolatey rice krispie treats with a salty pretzel center and a sweet white chocolate “bone.”
I love recipes like this around the holidays because they bring a little humor to a table full of traditional pies and cookies. Kids immediately recognize the turkey-leg shape, and adults usually get a kick out of them, too. Better yet, this rice krispie turkey leg recipe is much easier to make than its impressive appearance suggests.
The brown color comes from cocoa powder rather than melted chocolate, so you still get that familiar buttery marshmallow texture of a classic Rice krispie treat. A pretzel rod provides each leg with structure and adds a salty crunch, while white melting wafers and mini marshmallows form the bone at the end. If you are looking for a memorable turkey leg dessert for Thanksgiving, these are such a cute choice.
Ingredients for Rice Krispie Turkey Leg Treats
You only need a handful of familiar ingredients to make these playful rice krispie turkey legs.
- White melting wafers: These create the smooth white coating on the pretzel “bones.” White candy melts can also work well here.
- Pretzel rods: Cut each of the seven pretzel rods in half to make sturdy handles for the turkey legs.
- Mini marshmallows: Most are melted into the cereal mixture, while 14 pieces are reserved to make the rounded ends of the bones.
- Butter: Gives the treats their classic rich, buttery flavor and keeps the marshmallow mixture soft.
- Cocoa powder: Adds a light chocolate flavor while giving the turkey legs their roasted brown appearance.
- Rice Krispies cereal: The crispy base that gives these treats their familiar light and crunchy texture.
How to Make Rice Krispie Turkey Legs with Pretzel Bones
These rice krispie treat turkey legs are mostly about assembly. Once you have the pretzel bones prepared, the rest comes together much like a traditional Rice Krispies treats recipe.
Melt the white wafers: Fill a small saucepan about one-quarter full of water and place a double boiler on top. The water should sit just below the bottom of the double boiler without touching it. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce it to a gentle simmer. Add the white melting wafers and stir until completely melted and smooth.
Dip the pretzel rods: Dip each pretzel rod into the melted wafers, coating the end that will become the “bone.” Gently shake off any excess coating to ensure a smooth, even layer.
Add the mini marshmallows: Immediately place the dipped pretzel rods onto a lined baking sheet. While the coating is still soft, press two mini marshmallows onto the dipped end of each pretzel to create the rounded end of a turkey bone. Refrigerate for 5 minutes to set. Meanwhile, keep the wafers warm over a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to keep them smooth and prevent them from clumping.
Dip the pretzel bones again: Remove the pretzel bones from the refrigerator and dip the coated ends into the melted wafers a second time. This second coating covers the marshmallows and helps give each bone a smoother, more finished appearance.
Chill until set: Return the double-dipped pretzel bones to the lined baking sheet and refrigerate for another 5 minutes, or until the coating is firm.
Melt the butter: While the pretzel bones are setting, melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat.
Add the cocoa powder: Stir the cocoa powder into the melted butter until evenly combined. Start with less cocoa and add more as needed to achieve the brown color you want for your Rice krispie turkey leg treats.
Melt the marshmallows: Add the remaining marshmallows to the pot. Stir continuously until they are fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
Fold in the Rice Krispies: Add the Rice Krispies cereal and gently fold everything together until the cereal is evenly coated with the chocolate-colored marshmallow mixture.
Shape the turkey legs: Remove the prepared pretzel “bones” from the refrigerator. Using food-safe gloved hands or hands lightly greased with cooking spray or vegetable oil, scoop out about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the Rice Krispies 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 it on the lined baking sheet and continue shaping the cereal mixture into a plump turkey leg. Repeat with the remaining mixture and pretzel bones.
Let the treats set: Allow the finished Rice Krispie Turkey Leg Treats to set for about 10 minutes. Once they hold their shape, they are ready to serve and enjoy!
Pro Tips for the Best Rice Krispie Turkey Leg Treats
The biggest secret to soft krispie treats is not overheating the marshmallows. Keep the heat relatively low and stop cooking as soon as the marshmallows are smooth. Cooking them too long can turn an otherwise chewy treat surprisingly firm once it cools.
When shaping the leg rice krispie mixture, lightly grease your hands with butter or nonstick cooking spray. The mixture is supposed to be sticky, and this little trick makes forming the drumsticks much less frustrating. Don’t pack the cereal too tightly around the pretzel either. Gentle pressure gives you a sturdy shape while preserving that light, crispy bite.
It also helps to let the cereal mixture cool slightly before shaping. If it is piping hot, it will be difficult to handle and may soften the coating on your pretzel bones. Wait just a few minutes, but don’t let it cool completely or it will become harder to mold.
Storing Rice Krispie Turkey Leg Treats
These turkey leg rice krispie treats are best stored at room temperature in an airtight container. Separate layers with parchment or wax paper so the treats don’t stick together. They should remain pleasantly chewy for about two to three days.
I don’t recommend refrigerating them unless your kitchen is unusually warm. Cold temperatures can make the cereal-and-marshmallow mixture firmer and less enjoyable. Reheating isn’t necessary either; this is one of those treats that tastes best right from the container at room temperature.
If you’re preparing several Thanksgiving recipes ahead of time, you can make the pretzel bones first and assemble the cereal portion closer to serving time.
Rice Krispie Turkey Leg Variations
There are plenty of ways to put your own spin on this rice krispie turkey recipe. For a richer chocolate flavor, add a little extra cocoa powder to make the cocoa-crispy turkey legs darker. Just remember that too much cocoa can make the cereal mixture drier, so add it gradually.
You can also swap the white melting wafers for white candy melts or white chocolate. Different coatings may set at slightly different speeds, but all create the pale bone effect that makes these turkey drumstick rice krispie treats so recognizable.
For smaller portions, make mini drumsticks using shorter pretzel pieces and less cereal mixture. These are especially cute for a children’s Thanksgiving table, or when you are serving several turkey-leg desserts and want everyone to have room to sample more than one sweet.
What to Serve with Rice Krispie Turkey Treats
These rice krispie turkey treats fit naturally on a Thanksgiving dessert spread alongside pumpkin pie, pecan pie, apple crisp, and seasonal cookies. Because they are handheld, they are also great for a casual Friendsgiving party where guests might prefer easy grab-and-go desserts.
For a playful themed dessert table, pair your rice krispie treats turkey legs with turkey leg cookies, pumpkin-shaped cookies, caramel apples, or chocolate-covered pretzels. A warm mug of hot chocolate or apple cider is especially good with the sweet-and-salty combination of marshmallow, cereal, cocoa, and pretzel.
Final Thoughts
These Rice Krispie Turkey Leg Treats are proof that a holiday recipe doesn’t have to be complicated to make people smile. You get crispy cereal, gooey marshmallows, rich butter, a hint of chocolate, and salty pretzels all in one whimsical little drumstick.
What I enjoy most about this Rice krispie turkey leg recipe is how recognizable it is while still being simple enough to make with kids. They may not shape every leg exactly the same, which is part of the charm. Put a platter of these funny little turkey legs on the Thanksgiving table, and I have a feeling they won’t last long!
FAQ
Yes. White candy melts are a convenient substitute and give the pretzel bones a smooth, bright white finish. Melt them according to the package instructions and avoid overheating, as overheated candy coating can thicken and become difficult to dip.
Hard Rice Krispie treats are usually caused by cooking the butter and marshmallow mixture over too much heat or for too long. Melt the marshmallows gently and remove them from the heat once smooth. Also avoid pressing the cereal mixture too firmly when shaping each krispie treat.
Yes. You can make this rice krispie turkey legs recipe a day or two ahead. Once completely set, store the finished treats in an airtight container at room temperature. For the best crispy-chewy texture, I prefer making them no more than a day before serving.
Absolutely. The cocoa is mainly there to give the rice crispy treat turkey leg its brown color and a little chocolate flavor. You can leave it out for classic marshmallow Rice Krispies flavor, although the finished legs will be much lighter in color.
Yes, and this is a particularly fun holiday recipe for little helpers. Kids can help place the mini marshmallows on the pretzels and shape the cooled cereal mixture. An adult should handle cutting the pretzel rods and working with the hot melted marshmallow and candy coating.
Rice Krispie Turkey Leg Treats Using Pretzel Bones
Ingredients
- 10 oz white melting wafers
- 7 pretzel rods cut in half
- 12 oz mini marshmallows divided (reserve 14 pieces for the bones)
- 1 stick ½ cup butter
- 2-3 tablespoons cocoa powder to desired color
- 7 cups Rice Krispies cereal
Instructions
- Melt the white wafers: Fill a small saucepan about one-quarter full of water and place a double boiler on top. The water should sit just below the bottom of the double boiler without touching it. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce it to a gentle simmer. Add the white melting wafers and stir until completely melted and smooth.
- Dip the pretzel rods: Dip each pretzel rod into the melted wafers, coating the end that will become the “bone.” Gently shake off any excess coating to ensure a smooth, even layer.
- Add the mini marshmallows: Immediately place the dipped pretzel rods onto a lined baking sheet. While the coating is still soft, press two mini marshmallows onto the dipped end of each pretzel to create the rounded end of a turkey bone. Refrigerate for 5 minutes to set. Meanwhile, keep the wafers warm over a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally so they remain smooth and don't clump.
- Dip the pretzel bones again: Remove the pretzel bones from the refrigerator and dip the coated ends into the melted wafers a second time. This second coating covers the marshmallows and helps give each bone a smoother, more finished appearance.
- Chill until set: Return the double-dipped pretzel bones to the lined baking sheet and refrigerate for another 5 minutes, or until the coating is firm.
- Melt the butter: While the pretzel bones are setting, melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the cocoa powder: Stir the cocoa powder into the melted butter until evenly combined. Start with less cocoa and add more as needed to achieve the brown color you want for your Rice krispie turkey leg treats.
- Melt the marshmallows: Add the remaining marshmallows to the pot. Stir continuously until they are fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Fold in the Rice Krispies: Add the Rice Krispies cereal and gently fold everything together until the cereal is evenly coated with the chocolate-colored marshmallow mixture.
- Shape the turkey legs: Remove the prepared pretzel “bones” from the refrigerator. Using food-safe gloved hands or hands lightly greased with cooking spray or vegetable oil, scoop out about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the Rice Krispies 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 it on the lined baking sheet and continue shaping the cereal mixture into a plump turkey leg. Repeat with the remaining mixture and pretzel bones.
- Let the treats set: Allow the finished Rice Krispie Turkey Leg Treats to set for about 10 minutes. Once they hold their shape, they are ready to serve and enjoy!
