No-Bake Christmas Oreo Balls

These bite-size treats taste like a cookies-and-cream truffle, and they look like holiday magic with minimal effort. If you want something festive that doesn’t require turning on the oven, Oreo balls are a lifesaver. They’re rich, creamy, and perfect for gifting or setting out on a dessert platter.

You only need a handful of ingredients, and the whole process is beginner-friendly. Kids can help with rolling and decorating, and the results always impress.

Why This Recipe Works

Close-up detail: A glossy, chocolate-dipped Oreo ball just set on parchment, with delicate white cho

Oreo balls rely on the combination of crushed chocolate sandwich cookies and softened cream cheese. That duo creates a smooth, truffle-like center without baking.

Dipping them in chocolate adds a crisp shell that balances the soft middle. The holiday decorations—sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or drizzled white chocolate—make them look polished with little fuss. It’s a classic treat that’s reliable, quick, and customizable for your Christmas table.

Shopping List

1 (14–15 oz) package Oreo cookies (regular, not double-stuffed; about 36 cookies)
8 oz cream cheese, softened (brick style, not whipped)
12–16 oz chocolate for dipping (semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate melting wafers or chocolate chips)
8–12 oz white chocolate (melting wafers or chips) for coating or drizzling
1–2 tablespoons coconut oil or neutral oil (optional, for thinning chocolate)
Holiday sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or edible glitter (optional)
Sea salt flakes (optional, for a sweet-salty finish)
Parchment paper or a silicone baking mat
Toothpicks or a dipping fork (optional, for easier dipping)

How to make these Christmas Oreo Balls

Prep your workspace. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Clear some freezer or fridge space for chilling.
Crush the Oreos. Add the cookies to a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs. No processor? Seal them in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin until sandy with no big chunks.
Mix with cream cheese. In a bowl, combine the Oreo crumbs with softened cream cheese.
Use a spatula or clean hands to blend until the mixture forms a uniform, fudgy dough.
Roll into balls. Scoop about 1 tablespoon per ball (a small cookie scoop helps) and roll between your palms. Aim for bite-size pieces, about 1 inch in diameter. Place on the lined sheet.
Chill to set. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or freeze for 15 minutes.
This helps the balls firm up so they don’t crumble during dipping.
Melt the chocolate. Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 20–30 second bursts, stirring between each, until smooth. Add a small amount of oil if needed to thin. Repeat with white chocolate if using a white coating or drizzle.
Dip and coat. Using a fork, toothpick, or dipping tool, submerge each chilled ball in the melted chocolate.
Let excess drip off and gently tap the tool on the bowl’s edge to remove drips. Set back on the parchment.
Decorate right away. While the coating is still wet, add sprinkles, crushed candy cane, or a pinch of sea salt. If you’re drizzling with white chocolate, let the first layer set slightly, then drizzle for contrast.
Let them set. Refrigerate the tray for 15–20 minutes until the chocolate hardens.
If stacking or boxing them for gifts, make sure they’re fully set to avoid smudges.
Serve and enjoy. Arrange on a festive plate or pack into tins with parchment between layers. Keep chilled until serving for the best texture.

Cooking process: Chilled Oreo balls being dipped in a bowl of melted dark chocolate using a dipping

How to Store

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for 1–2 weeks. Separate layers with parchment to prevent sticking.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw in the fridge for a few hours before serving. The texture stays surprisingly creamy.
Room Temperature: Keep out for up to 2 hours during parties. Return leftovers to the fridge to maintain freshness.

Benefits of This Recipe

No oven needed: Perfect for busy holiday cooking schedules or small kitchens.
Quick and simple: Minimal ingredients, easy steps, and lots of flexibility.
Kid-friendly: Rolling and decorating are fun tasks for little helpers.
Make-ahead friendly: They store well, so you can prep days in advance.
Beautiful presentation: Festive finishes make them look boutique-level with little effort.

Pitfalls to Watch Out For

Crumb size: If the Oreo crumbs are too coarse, the mixture won’t bind smoothly.
Aim for a fine, sandy texture.
Warm dough: Soft, unchilled balls can crumble or fall off the fork when dipped. Chill thoroughly before coating.
Overheating chocolate: Chocolate seizes if overheated. Heat gently in short bursts and stir often.
Too thick coating: If the chocolate is too thick, add a teaspoon of oil at a time until it flows smoothly.
Condensation: Moving frozen balls to a warm room can cause sweating, which affects decorations.
Let them come to fridge temp first.

Close-up detail: Chilled Oreo balls being dipped into glossy dark chocolate with a dipping fork, exc

Recipe Variations

Peppermint Bark Oreo Balls: Mix finely crushed candy cane into the Oreo-cream cheese dough and top with more crushed candy cane.
Red Velvet Twist: Use red velvet sandwich cookies and coat with white chocolate. Add red and green sprinkles for a holiday look.
Peanut Butter Drizzle: Drizzle set Oreo balls with warmed peanut butter chips for a sweet-salty finish.
Mint Chocolate: Add a few drops of peppermint extract to the dough and coat in dark chocolate.
Gingerbread Spice: Stir 1 teaspoon ground ginger and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon into the dough; finish with white chocolate and gold sprinkles.
Sprinkle Center: Fold holiday nonpareils into the dough for a confetti look when you bite in.
Allergy-Friendly Swap: Use gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookies and dairy-free cream cheese and chocolate. Check labels to ensure they’re allergy-safe.

FAQ’s for Christmas Oreo Balls

Yes, but the filling makes the dough softer. Start with less cream cheese (about 6 ounces), then add more if needed until the mixture holds together and rolls cleanly.

No. A zip-top bag and a rolling pin work fine. Just crush the cookies thoroughly so the crumbs are very fine and evenly textured.

If using chocolate chips, add 1–2 teaspoons of oil per cup to help thin and create a glossy finish.

es. Because of the cream cheese, Oreo balls should be stored in the fridge. They can sit out for a short time during parties, but return leftovers to the refrigerator.

Using about 1 tablespoon per ball, you’ll get roughly 30–36 Oreo balls from one standard package of cookies and 8 ounces of cream cheese.

Avoid extreme temperature swings. Don’t dip balls straight from the freezer into very hot chocolate. Let them chill in the fridge, not frozen solid, before dipping.

Wrapping Up

No-Bake Christmas Oreo Balls deliver big holiday flavor with almost no effort. They’re creamy inside, snappy outside, and endlessly customizable with festive toppings. Make a batch for a cookie swap, holiday movie night, or teacher gifts—then stash a few in the fridge for yourself.

Simple, pretty, and downright delicious, they’ll quickly become a December staple in your kitchen.