Every Thanksgiving, I love adding something playful and unexpected to the dessert table — something that makes the kids laugh and adults say, “Wait… are those turkeys?!”

These Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys are the perfect mix of sweet, silly, and oh-so-delicious. Each “turkey” starts with a juicy strawberry, two mini marshmallow drumsticks, and a bit of melted chocolate to hold it all together. Once the chocolate hardens, the entire strawberry gets dipped into a silky chocolate coating and finished with white chocolate tips for that classic turkey-drumstick look

They’re no-bake, totally customizable, and so much fun to make with kids before Thanksgiving dinner. You can even pop a little popsicle stick into each strawberry to make them easier to dip, serve, and eat!

Whether you’re putting together a Thanksgiving dessert board, planning a classroom party, or just looking for something festive to do with your little ones, these Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys are the perfect mix of cute and delicious.

What You Need:

Fresh strawberries – large ones work best for shaping your “turkey.”
Mini marshmallows – for the ends of the turkey drumsticks.
Pretzel sticks – cut in half to create the “legs.”
Melting chocolate or chocolate chips – for dipping and coating the strawberries.
White chocolate – for dipping the drumstick tips.
Popsicle sticks (optional) – to make dipping and serving easier.
Parchment paper – to keep everything from sticking as it sets.

ingredients to make easy thanksgivng dessert

How to Make Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys

1. Prep your ingredients
Wash and completely dry your strawberries. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut your pretzel sticks in half so they’re short and easy to work with.

2. Build your drumsticks
Push a pretzel stick halfway into the flat side of a mini marshmallow so it looks like a tiny turkey leg.

thanksgiving easy treat for dessert board

3. Attach to the strawberry
Dip the marshmallow side into melted chocolate. Then gently press it onto the upper side of the strawberry, near where the green stem is. Repeat on the opposite side so your strawberry now has two little “drumsticks.”

chocolate dipped strawberry thanksgiving treat

4. Let it set
Hold or prop the strawberries carefully and let the chocolate harden completely before moving to the next step. This helps the legs stay secure when you dip them later.

attach pretzels and marshmallows to strawberry

5. Dip the entire strawberry
Once the chocolate has hardened and the legs are firmly attached, dip the whole strawberry — drumsticks and all — into melted chocolate. Let any excess drip off and place on the parchment-lined tray to set.

6. Add the white chocolate detail
After the chocolate coating is set, melt white chocolate and dip just the ends of the pretzels sticking out to look like the turkey bone tips.

dip strawberry legs into white chocolate

7. Chill and serve
Refrigerate until fully hardened, then display on a dessert board or wrap in cellophane for the cutest Thanksgiving gifts!

Tips & Variations

✨ Be patient with drying time: Let the chocolate “glue” fully harden before dipping so the legs stay attached.
✨ Use quality melting chocolate: It makes all the difference for a smooth, glossy finish.
✨ Add a stick: Insert a popsicle stick into the top of each strawberry before dipping for an easy-to-hold, mess-free treat.
✨ Dress them up: Add fall sprinkles or drizzle extra chocolate for a festive touch.
✨ Make it a dessert board: Pair with pumpkin truffles, caramel pretzels, and mini pies for a Thanksgiving dessert everyone will talk about.
✨ Perfect for kids: This edible craft keeps kids entertained and makes a great holiday tradition to start each year.

chocolate covered strawberries for thanksgiving

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Keep your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

If preparing ahead, make and dip the night before Thanksgiving. Refrigerate uncovered for the first hour to harden, then cover loosely until ready to serve. Avoid freezing — strawberries get mushy once thawed.

no bake chocolate covered strawberry turkey

FAQs

Can I make these the night before Thanksgiving?
Absolutely! These are perfect to make the day before. Just keep them refrigerated and serve chilled or at room temperature.

How do I make sure the legs stay on?
Use melted chocolate as your glue and give it plenty of time to set before dipping the strawberries in more chocolate. That drying time makes all the difference!

Can I use white chocolate for the whole turkey?
Yes! You can coat the entire strawberry in white chocolate for a fun twist, then use milk or dark chocolate for detailing.

Can kids help with this recipe?
Definitely — this is one of the best edible crafts for kids! Just handle the hot chocolate for them, and let them assemble or dip the turkeys once cooled.

What kind of chocolate melts best?
Melting wafers or baking chocolate are best because they melt smoothly and harden with a glossy finish. If you use chocolate chips, stir in a touch of coconut oil.

🎥 Watch the Video: How to Make Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys

If you’re a visual learner like me, you’ll love watching how these adorable Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys come together step-by-step! In this quick video, you’ll see how I turn fresh strawberries, pretzels, and mini marshmallows into the cutest little Thanksgiving turkeys.

Thanksgiving is about gathering, gratitude, and creating sweet memories — and these Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys are such a fun way to do just that. They’re simple to make, kid-approved, and the perfect little addition to your holiday dessert table.

If you make them this year, tag me @lifebyleanna — I’d love to see your adorable turkey creations! 🧡

You’ll Also Love These Thanksgiving Treats

If you’re planning your Thanksgiving dessert table, here are a few more sweet and cozy recipes your family will love — all easy, festive, and perfect for the holiday season.

Pumpkin Roll Cinnamon Hack -This viral fall favorite is made with pumpkin spice rolls, brown sugar, and a caramelized cinnamon topping that tastes just like warm cinnamon buns. It’s easy, gooey, and perfect for Thanksgiving morning or dessert!
Easy Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip – Creamy, no-bake, and full of cozy fall flavor — this dip pairs perfectly with graham crackers, apples, or cookies for a quick and crowd-pleasing dessert.
Mini Apple Pies – A kid-friendly twist on a classic! These mini apple pies are bite-sized, fun to decorate, and a sweet way to get little ones excited about Thanksgiving baking.
Caramel Apple Nachos – Crisp apple slices layered with caramel drizzle, chocolate chips, and festive toppings — a fast, simple treat that’s always a hit at Thanksgiving gatherings.
Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board – Build a cozy dessert board with pumpkin spice flavors, cookies, dips, and candies — perfect for Friendsgiving or post-dinner coffee.