Christmas Oreo Balls are little bites of festive fun, made with crushed Oreo cookies, cream cheese, and dipped in colorful holiday chocolate. They’re sweet, creamy, and have that perfect crunch from the cookie bits. These bite-sized treats are the perfect dessert for holiday parties or just a cozy night in.
I love making these around the holidays because they’re so simple to whip up, and everyone always asks for more! I usually mix the crushed Oreos with cream cheese until it’s soft and easy to shape, then roll them into balls and dip them in red, green, or white chocolate. It’s super fun to decorate them with sprinkles or drizzle extra chocolate on top to add a little festive touch.
My favorite way to enjoy Christmas Oreo Balls is with a warm cup of cocoa or a hot coffee. They’re great to share with friends or family, and they make a nice handmade gift if you put them in a pretty box or jar. Making these is one of those little holiday traditions that always brings a smile to my face. Plus, they disappear quickly—so I suggest making a big batch!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Oreos: The crushed Oreos are the base of these treats. I like using the classic Oreo cookies for a perfect balance of chocolate and cream. If you want a twist, try mint Oreos around the holidays for a festive flavor.
Cream Cheese: Cream cheese binds the crumbs into a soft dough. Make sure it’s softened to avoid lumps. For a dairy-free option, use vegan cream cheese—it works pretty well here.
Chocolate Melting Wafers: These are easier to melt and coat than regular chocolate. If you can’t find them, use good-quality chocolate bars or chips but add a little vegetable oil to smooth them out while melting.
Sprinkles: Holiday sprinkles add that festive touch. You can swap them for chopped nuts or crushed candy canes for extra texture and flavor.
How Do You Get Smooth, Even Chocolate Coating on Oreo Balls?
Coating the balls with chocolate can be tricky at first. Here’s how to get a smooth finish:
- Freeze the balls well before dipping; this helps the coating set quickly and prevents them from falling apart.
- Use a toothpick or fork to dip each ball, then gently tap it against the bowl’s edge to shake off extra chocolate.
- Place the dipped balls on parchment paper so the chocolate doesn’t stick.
- If the chocolate is too thick, microwave it in short bursts and stir until smooth.
- Work quickly but carefully to avoid fingerprints in the chocolate—wear gloves if needed.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Food processor or plastic bag and rolling pin – I use this to crush the Oreos easily, making the process quick and mess-free.
- Large mixing bowl – for mixing the Oreo crumbs with cream cheese until smooth and combined.
- Baking sheet lined with parchment paper – to hold and chill the Oreo balls without sticking.
- Microwave-safe bowls – one for melting white chocolate, another for dark chocolate; makes melting quick and simple.
- Small cookie scoop or tablespoon – helps shape even-sized balls quickly.
- Toothpick or fork – for dipping the balls into melted chocolate evenly.
- Decorating tools (optional) – piping bag or plastic sandwich bag with a tiny cut for drizzling extra chocolate for a pretty finish.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Mint or peanut butter filling – mix a spoonful of mint extract or peanut butter into the cream cheese for a new flavor twist.
- Chopped nuts or crushed candy canes – sprinkle or roll the coated balls in for extra crunch and flavor.
- Dark or milk chocolate coating – switch the chocolate flavor to match your preference or holiday theme.
- Glitter or edible gold dust – add a little shimmer for a special gift or fancy party touch.
How to Make Christmas Oreo Balls
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 36 Oreo cookies (about 1 package)
- 8 oz (1 package) cream cheese, softened
- 12 oz white chocolate melting wafers or white candy melts
- 12 oz semi-sweet or milk chocolate melting wafers or candy melts
- Red, green, and white holiday sprinkles
How Much Time Will You Need?
Getting these festive treats ready takes about 20 minutes of active prep time plus 15-30 minutes of freezing time to help the Oreo balls firm up before dipping. Allow another 10-20 minutes for the chocolate coating to set, making the total time around 45-60 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Crushing the Oreos:
Put the Oreo cookies in a food processor and pulse until they become fine crumbs. If you don’t have a food processor, put the cookies in a sealed plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin until finely crushed.
2. Mixing with Cream Cheese:
Transfer the Oreo crumbs to a large mixing bowl. Add the softened cream cheese and mix well with a spoon or your hands. Keep mixing until the mixture is smooth and feels like a soft dough.
3. Shaping the Balls:
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to scoop out small portions of the Oreo mixture. Roll each portion into a 1-inch ball with your hands and place it on the baking sheet. Freeze the balls for 15-30 minutes to help them firm up.
4. Melting the Chocolate:
Place your white chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe bowl and melt in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth. Do the same in a separate bowl with the semi-sweet or milk chocolate wafers.
5. Dipping and Decorating:
Remove the Oreo balls from the freezer. Using a toothpick or fork, dip each ball into the melted chocolate (switch between white and dark chocolate for variety). Let any extra chocolate drip off before placing the ball back on the parchment paper. While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle them with festive red, green, and white holiday sprinkles.
6. Adding Final Touches and Setting:
For a pretty finish, melt a little extra white chocolate and drizzle it over the coated balls using a piping bag or a plastic sandwich bag with a tiny corner cut off. Let the chocolate set fully at room temperature, or put the tray in the fridge for about 10-20 minutes to speed up the process.
Once the chocolate is set, your delicious Christmas Oreo Balls are ready to enjoy! Serve on a festive plate or package as a sweet holiday gift.
Can I Use Regular Cream Cheese Straight From the Fridge?
It’s best to use cream cheese that’s softened to room temperature. This makes it easier to mix smoothly with the crushed Oreos and helps the mixture come together without lumps.
Can I Make Christmas Oreo Balls Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare and dip the Oreo balls a day or two in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and maintain their shape.
How Should I Store Leftover Oreo Balls?
Keep leftover balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving to soften slightly.
Can I Substitute Oreos or Chocolate?
Absolutely! You can try different Oreo flavors like mint or golden Oreos, and swap chocolate melts for high-quality chocolate bars. Just melt the chocolate gently and add a little oil if needed for a smooth coating.
