Kids Thanksgiving Appetizer Idea: Turkey (Cheesesticks & Meatballs with Marinara)
If you’re looking for a fun and easy kids’ Thanksgiving appetizer idea, this Mozzarella Stick Turkey is the perfect solution. Made with meatballs, marinara sauce, and crispy mozzarella sticks, these adorable little turkey snacks come together in about 20 minutes and are guaranteed to be a hit before the big meal.
Thanksgiving Appetizer for Kids
This fun appetizer is simple, budget-friendly, and perfect for little hands. It uses fully cooked meatballs, crispy mozzarella sticks, and a little marinara sauce to create the cutest edible turkey.
They’re great for:
- Keeping kids busy before Thanksgiving dinner
- A classroom Thanksgiving party
- A church potluck
- A fall-themed family movie night
- Even a fun “practice round” before the big day
And the best part? You can have them on the table in about 20 minutes.
Ingredients (Per Turkey)
You can easily grab these ingredients at your local grocery store if you don’t already have them on hand!
- 5 mozzarella sticks
- 1 fully cooked Italian-style meatball
- 2 tablespoons warm marinara sauce
- Small triangle of cheddar cheese for the beak
- Chopped black olives for the eyes
Pro Tip: Multiply everything by however many kids you’re feeding. These go fast!
How to Make the Mozzarella Stick Turkey Appetizer
1. Cook the Meatballs and Mozzarella Sticks
Prepare the meatballs and mozzarella sticks according to the package directions.
I like to bake the mozzarella sticks in the oven so they get golden and crispy. The meatballs can be heated quickly in the microwave. The goal is to have everything hot and ready at the same time.
2. Warm the Marinara
Heat a few tablespoons of your favorite marinara sauce in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. You can you premade from a jar or homemade. You’ll need just enough to create a little “nest” for the turkey body.
3. Assemble Your Turkey
Now for the fun part.
- Spoon about 2 tablespoons of warm marinara sauce onto the center of a small plate.
- Place one meatball directly in the middle of the sauce. This is the turkey’s body.
- Fan out 5 mozzarella sticks around the top half of the meatball to create feathers.
- Add a small triangle of cheddar cheese for the beak.
- Press two tiny pieces of chopped black olives into the meatball for eyes.
And just like that, you have the cutest little Thanksgiving turkey appetizer.
Let the Kids Decorate
If you really want to make this fun, set out extra olives and small pieces of cheese and let the kids decorate their own turkeys. Mine love adding olive slices between the “feathers” or cutting extra cheese to make feet.
It turns into an activity and a snack all in one.
Make Ahead Tips
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving and juggling a million things, you can:
- Pre-cook the meatballs and reheat before serving
- Have garnishes chopped and ready
- Assemble just before guests arrive for the best texture
- Have all the elements ready to go and set up a kids’ table for them to build them while they wait for the big meal!
These are best served warm, so the mozzarella sticks stay crispy and the meatball stays tender.
If your house sounds anything like mine before Thanksgiving dinner, this easy turkey appetizer might just save your sanity. It’s festive, simple, and just enough to quiet the “When are we eating?” questions for a little while. And honestly? They’re so cute you might want one for yourself, too.
