Name: Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 4 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1½ cups pecans fine chopped; ¾ cup graham cracker crumbs; ⅔ cup brown sugar; ¼ cup maple syrup; 2 tablespoons light karo syrup; 2 tablespoons salted butter melted; ¼ teaspoon almond extract; ¾ teaspoon rum extract; 12 ounces chocolate melting discs (Ghirardelli brand recommended); Optional garnish – Holiday themed sprinkles

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 10 reviews

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s both bite-sized and bursting with rich, nutty flavor, then you’re in for a treat with this Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe. I promise, these little balls of yum will quickly become your go-to for parties, holiday gatherings, or just a cozy night in. They’re not only super easy to make but deliver all the classic pecan pie goodness wrapped in smooth chocolate—talk about indulgence in every bite!

Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls, pecan pie balls, no-bake pecan dessert, chocolate coated date balls, holiday nut treats - The image shows a white tray with a dark rim holding eight round chocolate-covered treats, each topped with red, green, and white sprinkles. The chocolate coating is smooth but has some slight drips and uneven spots at the bottom edges. The treats are placed with some space between them on the tray, which rests on a white marbled surface. In the background, out of focus, there are red, white, and gold Christmas bell decorations adding a festive touch. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No-Bake Convenience: Skip the oven and still enjoy all the rich flavors of pecan pie in an easy form.
Perfect Party Bites: Bite-sized and chocolate-coated, these make a fancy looking yet simple dessert for any occasion.
Customizable Flavors: With almond and rum extracts, you get depth, but you can easily swap to vanilla to suit your taste.
Impress Without Stress: These pecan pie balls are a crowd-pleaser and surprisingly fast to prepare once you get everything together.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe plays a special role, balancing texture and flavor so every bite feels like a mini pecan pie slice dipped in chocolate bliss. Here’s a little scoop on why these ingredients shine together and some tips to grab the best ones.

Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls, pecan pie balls, no-bake pecan dessert, chocolate coated date balls, holiday nut treats - Flat lay of finely chopped pecans scattered next to a small mound of golden graham cracker crumbs, a neat pile of soft brown sugar crystals, a small white ceramic bowl filled with rich amber maple syrup, another white bowl holding light golden karo syrup, a small white bowl with melted salted butter glistening, a tiny white bowl with clear almond extract, a tiny white bowl with slightly amber rum extract, whole uncracked brown eggs arranged symmetrically, and a simple white ceramic bowl filled with smooth dark chocolate melting discs, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Pecans: The star of the show—choose fresh, high-quality pecans for that toasty, buttery crunch.
Graham Cracker Crumbs: Adds subtle sweetness and texture, helping to bind the filling while keeping that classic pie crust vibe.
Brown Sugar: Brings caramel notes and moisture, essential for that rich, chewy filling.
Maple Syrup: I always recommend pure maple syrup over pancake syrup—the pure flavor really elevates the filling’s sweetness with a warm, earthy touch.
Light Karo Syrup: Helps bind ingredients and keeps the balls from drying out; you can swap a little more maple syrup if you want to skip it.
Salted Butter: Adds richness and smooths out the texture—melted butter makes mixing a breeze.
Almond and Rum Extracts: These extracts give layers of nutty and boozy aroma without the alcohol, but feel free to customize.
Chocolate Melting Discs: Specially made for dipping, these melt smoothly and harden beautifully—key to creating that glossy chocolate coating.
Holiday Sprinkles (optional): For a festive flair when you want to dress these treats up for a celebration.

Note: Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love most about this Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe is how easy it is to tweak for your flavor preferences or dietary needs. Whether you want to cut back on sweetness, swap extracts, or add a personal twist, these little balls are happy to dance to your tune.

Variation: I sometimes replace rum extract with vanilla extract when I’m making these for kids — still delicious and family-friendly!
Dietary Modification: For a dairy-free version, use vegan butter and check that your chocolate discs are dairy-free too—works like a charm!
Colorful Fun: Use white chocolate melting discs and add festive sprinkles for holiday parties or themed events.
Texture Play: Toss in a few mini chocolate chips or chopped dried fruit into the filling for an extra surprise inside.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe

Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls, pecan pie balls, no-bake pecan dessert, chocolate coated date balls, holiday nut treats - A white plate holds a pile of round chocolate-covered balls, each smooth and shiny with a dark brown color. They are topped with small red, green, and white round sprinkles scattered unevenly over the surface. The balls are stacked closely, making a small mound in the middle of the plate. The background has a white marbled texture with blurred silver tinsel and holiday-colored bells in red, white, and gold scattered behind. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Mixing That Flavorful Filling

Start by combining those finely chopped pecans, graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, maple syrup, karo syrup, melted butter, and both extracts in a big mixing bowl. I find a wooden spoon does the job perfectly here. Stir until everything is evenly coated and smells irresistible—this mixture is the heart and soul of your pecan balls. Once mixed, pop it into the fridge, covered tightly for at least 2 hours. This chilling step is key to firming up the mixture so the balls hold their shape.

Step 2: Rolling the Perfect Pecan Pie Balls

Once chilled, scoop out the filling using a 2-inch cookie scoop — or use your hands if you prefer — and wet your palms with warm water before shaping. This simple trick keeps the sticky mixture from clinging to you and helps form tight, smooth balls that won’t fall apart. Place each formed ball on a parchment-lined sheet pan. This is one of those satisfying moments where you realize how easy these little balls come together.

Step 3: Melting That Chocolate Magic

Grab a medium bowl and melt your chocolate melting discs following the package instructions—usually gentle microwave bursts or a double boiler work wonders. Stir frequently to get that silky smooth texture that’ll coat your pecan balls evenly. Using regular baking chocolate just doesn’t give the same finish, trust me on this one.

Step 4: Dipping with Care & Decorating

Use a fork to gently lower each pecan ball into the melted chocolate, carefully rolling it around until it’s fully coated. Lift it out with the fork and set it back onto the parchment-lined tray. If you want to go festive, sprinkle holiday-themed sprinkles on top while the chocolate is still wet—the perfect finishing touch! Then, refrigerate uncovered for about 2 hours so the chocolate firms up and becomes perfectly crisp.

Pro Tips for Making Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe

Wet Hands for Easy Rolling: Always wet your hands with warm water before rolling the pecan mixture; it stops it from sticking and gives you smooth balls.
Use Quality Maple Syrup: The flavor difference between real maple syrup and pancake syrup is night and day in these no-bake goodies.
Choose Proper Chocolate Discs: Melting discs or almond bark are specially formulated to melt perfectly smooth and harden with shine—avoid baking chocolate for dipping.
Refrigerate Uncovered: Placing the dipped balls uncovered in the fridge lets the chocolate firm crisply; covering them could cause condensation that dulls the finish.

How to Serve Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe

Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls, pecan pie balls, no-bake pecan dessert, chocolate coated date balls, holiday nut treats - A clear glass bowl holds a thick, crumbly mixture of light to dark brown pieces with a rough texture. A wooden spoon, with a smooth, light brown handle, rests in the bowl, scooping up some of the crumbly mix. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with soft gray veins. The overall look is coarse and crunchy, with visible granules and small chunks evenly spread within the mixture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with a sprinkle of festive candy sprinkles or just raw chopped pecans when serving. They add a pop of color or extra nutty crunch without overshadowing the star—the rich pecan pie flavor wrapped in chocolate. For holiday gatherings, the colorful sprinkles really amp up the festive vibe, making these little bites irresistible on any dessert table.

Side Dishes

These chocolate coated pecan pie balls are pretty much a dessert on their own—but if I’m pairing, I go with a simple cup of coffee or hot tea to balance the sweetness. For holiday parties, I love serving them alongside spiced cider or a creamy eggnog for that cozy, seasonal touch.

Creative Ways to Present

Fancy presentation? Try arranging these balls in mini cupcake liners or on a tiered dessert stand surrounded by fresh cranberries or holly leaves. For birthdays or special occasions, drizzle contrasting colored melted chocolate over the top for a classy, gourmet look. I once took these to a party wrapped individually in cellophane bags tied with ribbons—big hit, and no crumbs to clean up!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep any leftover pecan pie balls in an uncovered container in the fridge, which helps avoid moisture buildup that could make the chocolate lose its snap. They typically stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days—if they last that long! I always recommend giving them a quick taste test before serving again, though I haven’t had issues.

Freezing

Freezing works great if you need to make a batch ahead for later. After the balls are dipped and fully chilled, wrap them individually or place parchment paper between layers in an airtight container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving to keep that perfect texture intact.

Reheating

There’s no true reheating since these are no-bake and served cold, but if you want to soften the chocolate just a bit to enjoy, let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Avoid microwaving since that can cause the chocolate to sweat or lose its shine.

FAQs

Can I use a different nut instead of pecans?

Absolutely! While pecans give that classic pie flavor, you can substitute walnuts or even almonds—just chop them finely and proceed the same way. Keep in mind this will slightly change the texture and flavor, but it’s still delicious.
What if I don’t have chocolate melting discs?

If you can’t find melting discs, look for almond bark or candy coating instead. Regular baking chocolate isn’t recommended since it doesn’t melt as smoothly or harden with the same glossy finish needed to coat the balls properly.
Can I make these nuts-free?

Since pecans are the main ingredient, this recipe isn’t ideal for nut-free diets. However, you could experiment with toasted sunflower seeds or crushed pretzels for an alternative, but the flavor and texture will be very different.
How long do these keep at room temperature?

I recommend keeping them refrigerated since the chocolate can soften at room temperature, especially in warm environments. If you’re serving them at a party, try not to leave them out more than 2 hours for best texture and safety.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it combines all those nostalgic pecan pie flavors without the fuss of baking a whole pie. They’re the perfect blend of sweet, nutty, and chocolatey in a handy bite-size snack that even my skeptically picky friends adore. I can’t recommend giving them a try enough—once you do, you’ll find yourself coming back to this easy, irresistible treat again and again. So grab your ingredients, and let’s make some magic happen!