If you ask me, Oreo balls are one of the best no-bake treats you can make during the holidays.
These Christmas Oreo balls are simple to throw together and always disappear fast at parties. Crushed Oreos mix with cream cheese to create a sweet, trusting filling that you roll into bite-sized balls.
They’re dipped in melted chocolate and decorated with festive sprinkles or candy cane pieces. The combination of crunchy cookie bits and smooth chocolate coating makes them hard to resist.
It’s a fun recipe to make with kids, and they look nice on any dessert table without requiring any fancy baking skills.
Why You’ll Love These Oreo Balls
- Only 3 main ingredients – You just need Oreos, cream cheese, and chocolate to make these treats. That’s it! Everything else is optional for decorating.
- No baking required – These come together in under 45 minutes without ever turning on your oven, making them perfect when you need a quick dessert.
- Great for holiday parties – They look festive with your choice of toppings and are easy to make in big batches for cookie exchanges or gift-giving.
- Kid-friendly recipe – Children love helping roll these into balls and decorating them with sprinkles or crushed candy, making it a fun family activity.
- Customizable toppings – You can dress them up with coconut, nuts, sprinkles, or peppermint to match any occasion or personal taste.
What Kind of Oreos Should I Use?
Regular Oreos are the classic choice for this recipe, but honestly, you can use any flavor you like and they’ll turn out great. If you want to keep things festive, try peppermint Oreos or the red velvet variety for a holiday twist. Golden Oreos also work well if you prefer a milder chocolate flavor, and they give the balls a lighter color inside. Just grab whatever package looks good to you at the store – even the double-stuffed ones will work, though they might make your mixture a bit sweeter and softer.
Options for Substitutions
These festive treats are pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps:
- Oreo cookies: Regular Oreos are the classic choice here, but feel free to experiment with flavored varieties like mint, peanut butter, or red velvet Oreos for a fun twist. Just stick with sandwich cookies that have a similar texture.
- Cream cheese: Full-fat cream cheese works best for the right consistency, but you can use reduced-fat (Neufchâtel) if needed. Just avoid fat-free as it tends to be too watery and won’t hold the balls together well.
- Melting chocolate: Candy melts are easiest to work with, but you can use chocolate chips if that’s what you have. Just add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil or shortening per cup of chips to help them melt smoothly and coat better.
- Garnishes: The topping options are endless! Use whatever you have on hand – crushed candy canes for a minty kick, holiday sprinkles for color, or even mini chocolate chips. Get creative with what’s in your pantry.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making
The biggest mistake when making Oreo balls is using cold cream cheese, which makes mixing a workout and leaves you with lumpy, uneven balls – let it sit at room temperature for at least an hour before you start.
If your chocolate coating is too thick or clumpy, thin it out with a teaspoon of vegetable oil or shortening to get that smooth, professional-looking finish.
Rolling the mixture into balls while it’s too soft will leave you with a sticky mess on your hands, so pop the bowl in the fridge for 15-20 minutes first to make shaping much easier.
When dipping the balls in melted chocolate, use a fork instead of a spoon and gently tap off the excess to avoid a thick, uneven coating, and make sure your chocolate isn’t too hot or it’ll melt the Oreo mixture inside.
What to Serve With Oreo Balls?
Oreo balls are pretty rich and sweet on their own, so they’re perfect alongside a cup of hot coffee or cold milk to balance out all that chocolatey goodness. I like setting them out on a dessert platter with other holiday treats like sugar cookies, fudge, or peppermint bark to give everyone some variety. They also make a great addition to a hot chocolate bar – just pop one or two into your mug and let them melt in for an extra decadent treat. If you’re serving them at a party, consider pairing them with fresh fruit like strawberries or orange slices to cut through the sweetness.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep your Oreo balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. I like to layer them between sheets of parchment paper so they don’t stick together. They actually taste even better after sitting for a day because the flavors have time to meld together!
Freeze: These are perfect for making ahead during the busy holiday season. Freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer bag or container for up to 3 months. You can pull out just what you need for parties or gift-giving.
Serve: Let frozen Oreo balls thaw in the fridge for a few hours or on the counter for about 30 minutes before serving. They’re best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so no need to warm them up!
| Preparation Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Total Time | 30-45 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 3400-3700
- Protein: 25-30 g
- Fat: 200-220 g
- Carbohydrates: 390-420 g
Ingredients
For the cookie balls:
- 8 oz full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
- 16 oz sandwich cookies (I use Oreos)
For the coating:
- 16 oz melting chocolate (candy melts, almond bark, dark, or white chocolate)
For the garnish:
- shredded coconut (chopped nuts, colored sprinkles, crushed peppermint candy, or cookie crumbs)
Step 1: Prepare Baking Sheets
Line baking sheets with parchment paper or waxed paper to prevent sticking and set them aside for later use.
Step 2: Process Cookies and Cream Cheese
- 16 oz sandwich cookies (I use Oreos)
- 8 oz full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
Break apart the sandwich cookies and cut the cream cheese into chunks.
Place the cookies in a food processor and pulse several times until you have fine cookie crumbs.
Add the cream cheese chunks to the processor and blend until everything is well combined, forming a thick dough.
Step 3: Shape and Chill Truffle Balls
- cookie and cream cheese mixture from Step 2
Using a cookie scoop, portion the dough into 1-inch balls.
Roll each portion between your palms until smooth, then place the balls onto the prepared baking sheets.
Refrigerate the truffle balls for one hour to help them firm up before dipping.
Step 4: Melt the Chocolate
- 16 oz melting chocolate (candy melts, almond bark, dark, or white chocolate)
Melt the dipping chocolate by microwaving it according to the package directions or using a double boiler on the stove until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted.
I like to use a double boiler for even melting.
Step 5: Dip and Decorate the Truffles
- chilled truffle balls from Step 3
- melted chocolate from Step 4
- shredded coconut (chopped nuts, colored sprinkles, crushed peppermint candy, or cookie crumbs)
Dip each chilled truffle ball from Step 3 into the melted chocolate, ensuring it’s fully coated.
Place the coated truffle back on the lined baking sheet.
While the chocolate is still wet, decorate each truffle by rolling it in shredded coconut or sprinkling it with nuts, sprinkles, crushed peppermint, or extra cookie crumbs.
Let the chocolate set before serving.
Chocolate Christmas Oreo Balls
Ingredients
For the cookie balls:
- 8 oz full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
- 16 oz sandwich cookies (I use Oreos)
For the coating:
- 16 oz melting chocolate (candy melts, almond bark, dark, or white chocolate)
For the garnish:
- shredded coconut (chopped nuts, colored sprinkles, crushed peppermint candy, or cookie crumbs)
Instructions
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper or waxed paper to prevent sticking and set them aside for later use.
- Break apart the sandwich cookies and cut the cream cheese into chunks. Place the cookies in a food processor and pulse several times until you have fine cookie crumbs. Add the cream cheese chunks to the processor and blend until everything is well combined, forming a thick dough.
- Using a cookie scoop, portion the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each portion between your palms until smooth, then place the balls onto the prepared baking sheets. Refrigerate the truffle balls for one hour to help them firm up before dipping.
- Melt the dipping chocolate by microwaving it according to the package directions or using a double boiler on the stove until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted. I like to use a double boiler for even melting.
- Dip each chilled truffle ball from Step 3 into the melted chocolate, ensuring it’s fully coated. Place the coated truffle back on the lined baking sheet. While the chocolate is still wet, decorate each truffle by rolling it in shredded coconut or sprinkling it with nuts, sprinkles, crushed peppermint, or extra cookie crumbs. Let the chocolate set before serving.




