Pecan Pie Balls: Delicious No-Bake Chocolate Covered Treats

There’s something utterly delightful about bite-sized treats that combine crunchy nuts, gooey sweetness, and rich chocolate all in one. That’s why I’m excited to share this Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe—it’s a playful twist on classic pecan pie that’s perfect for sharing or sneaking a few yourself.

A white plate holds eight round chocolate-covered balls, each topped with small red, green, and white sprinkles. One ball is cut in half and placed in front, showing a light brown inside with pieces of nuts. The chocolate coating is smooth and shiny, slightly melting at the bottom edges. The background has a white marbled texture with soft, out-of-focus silver decorations and a red ornament. Sprinkles are scattered lightly on the plate and surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This isn’t your everyday pecan pie—it's pecan pie in a fun, mess-free, bite-sized form that’s as satisfying to make as it is to eat. I adore how easy it is to whip up and how impressively festive it looks on any dessert table. Plus, it’s a no-bake twist, so you can skip the oven heat but still impress your crowd.

Easy No-Bake Preparation: You won’t need to heat up your kitchen, making this perfect for warm seasons or quick dessert fixes.
Crunchy, Sweet, and Chocolatey: Every bite delivers a wonderful balance of textures and flavors, just like a pecan pie in candy form.
Customizable and Fun: You can easily swap flavors or add sprinkles to tailor it for any occasion or preference.
Great for Sharing: These little bites are perfect for parties, gift-giving, or satisfying that sweet craving with minimal fuss.

A white plate holds seven round chocolate-covered balls with a smooth, glossy dark chocolate layer topped with small chocolate sprinkles. One ball at the center is cut in half, showing a crumbly golden nutty filling inside. The plate sits on a white marbled surface scattered with some chocolate sprinkles and pecans. Around the plate, there is a small white bowl filled with chocolate sprinkles and a glass jar filled with whole pecans. The overall look is neat and colorful with a mix of dark brown, golden, and white tones. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

These ingredients come together to mimic the classic pecan pie flavors but in an easy no-bake format. Each one has a purpose, from crunch to sweetness to that irresistible rich coating. When shopping, I always reach for quality nuts and pure maple syrup to make sure the flavor really shines.

Flat lay of a simple white ceramic bowl filled with finely chopped pecans, a small white bowl of golden maple syrup, a small white bowl of light amber karo syrup, a small white bowl with golden melted butter, a small mound of light brown graham cracker crumbs on the clean white marble surface, a neat pile of rich brown packed brown sugar, a small white bowl with dark glossy chocolate melting discs, a few whole pecans, and a scattering of colorful holiday-themed sprinkles artfully arranged, 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 nut here, chopped finely to give you little crunchy bursts in each bite.
Graham Cracker Crumbs: Adds that buttery, slightly sweet base that holds everything together.
Brown Sugar: Provides deep, caramel-like sweetness essential to pecan pie.
Maple Syrup: Use real maple syrup for an authentic flavor that can’t be beat.
Light Karo Syrup: It helps bind the ingredients and adds that subtle glossy texture.
Salted Butter: Melted to blend smoothly and inject richness into the mixture.
Almond Extract: Just a touch for warmth and complexity.
Rum Extract: Gives that signature depth that you find in classic pecan pie fillings.
Chocolate Melting Discs: Smooth, sweet, and easy to melt, these create the perfect chocolate shell.
Holiday Themed Sprinkles (Optional): Because sometimes we just want to get festive and have a little fun on top!

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I often like to tweak this recipe depending on the season or who I’m making it for. It’s super forgiving, so feel free to play around with extracts or coatings to find what you love best!

Variation: I’ve swapped rum extract for vanilla when I don’t have it on hand, and it’s still fantastic—just a little mellower in flavor.
Dietary Switch: For a dairy-free version, use coconut oil instead of butter and find vegan-friendly chocolate melts.
Seasonal Flair: Use white chocolate melting discs and top with red and green sprinkles for a Christmas vibe.

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

Step 1: Mix the Filling Ingredients

Grab a large mixing bowl and use a wooden spoon to combine finely chopped pecans, graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, maple syrup, light Karo syrup, melted butter, almond extract, and rum extract. Stir until everything looks evenly mixed. Cover it with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours (or better yet, overnight). This chilling step helps the mixture firm up so it’s easier to shape later.

Step 2: Shape the Pecan Balls

Once chilled, scoop the filling using a 2-inch cookie scoop for uniform size. Here’s a tip I learned—wet your hands with warm water so the mixture doesn’t stick, then gently squeeze the filling into a tight ball right in your palm. Place each ball onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Keep going until all the filling is used up.

Step 3: Melt the Chocolate Coating

In a medium, shallow bowl, melt the chocolate melting discs according to package instructions. Stir it until the chocolate is silky smooth and ready for dipping. Be careful not to overheat—melting discs are a dream compared to regular chocolate chips because they melt consistently without seizing.

Step 4: Dip and Decorate

Using a fork, carefully dip one pecan ball at a time into the melted chocolate. Roll it gently to coat fully, then lift it out on the fork and set back on the parchment-lined sheet. If you want to get festive, sprinkle holiday themed candy sprinkles on top right after dipping. Once you’re all done, pop the tray in the fridge uncovered so the chocolate can harden (about 2 hours).

Top Tip

After making these a few times, here are some tips I’ve picked up that really make the process and results shine:

Wet Hands for Easy Rolling: Wetting your hands prevents sticking and helps you compact the balls tightly without mess.
Choose Quality Maple Syrup: The flavor difference between real maple syrup and imitation is night and day—you’ll notice it in every bite.
Gentle Chocolate Dipping: Use a fork and gentle rolling motions to keep the pecan balls intact and avoid cracking the shell.
Chill for Firmness: Don’t skip the refrigeration step—it ensures the coating hardens perfectly and the balls hold their shape.

How to Serve Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe

Garnishes

I love adding a sprinkle of holiday-themed candies or colored sugar crystals on top right after dipping for that extra pop of color and festive fun. It’s an easy way to make these feel special without extra effort.

Side Dishes

These pecan pie balls pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or spiced tea. For parties, I like serving them alongside fresh fruit or a light whipped cream dip to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, arrange them on a festive tiered platter or nestled in decorative cupcake liners. I’ve also gifted them in small mason jars tied with ribbon—they’re a crowd-pleaser that looks homemade and thoughtful.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover pecan pie balls uncovered in the refrigerator—this helps avoid any condensation that could make the chocolate soggy. They stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days, which is usually just enough time before they disappear!

Freezing

Freezing works great for this recipe. I wrap the balls individually in parchment or wax paper and store them in an airtight container in the freezer. When you want a treat, just pop a few in the fridge the night before to thaw gently.

Reheating

No real reheating needed here! If you want the chocolate a bit softer, remove the balls from the fridge about 20 minutes before serving—this lets the chocolate soften slightly, making each bite even better.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute the rum extract with something else?

Absolutely! Vanilla extract works wonderfully as a substitute. It will give a milder, sweet flavor but still keep the essence of this dessert rich and tasty.

What can I use if I don’t have chocolate melting discs?

Great question! If melting discs aren’t available, you can use chocolate almond bark or semi-sweet chocolate chips mixed with a bit of shortening (about 2 tablespoons per 12 ounces chocolate) to help it melt smoothly and harden properly.

Can I make these ahead of time for a party?

Yes! They’re fantastic made ahead. Just keep them chilled in the refrigerator in an uncovered container and add any garnishes right before serving to keep them fresh and beautiful.

How long do chocolate coated pecan pie balls last?

Stored properly in the fridge uncovered, these treats stay great for up to 5 days. Freezing extends their life to several weeks, making them perfect for planning ahead.

Final Thoughts

Making this Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe always brings a smile to my face because it’s such a simple way to capture all the cozy, nutty, sweet goodness of pecan pie in a fun bite. Whether you’re serving them at a holiday party or just want a special treat, these little balls deliver big on flavor with minimal effort. Give it a try—I promise you’ll want to keep these handy in your fridge for whenever that sweet tooth strikes!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Make It Your Way