There’s something absolutely irresistible about bite-sized desserts that pack all the flavors you love into one neat little ball. That’s exactly why I adore this Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe — it’s like pecan pie and chocolate had a delicious love child, perfect for sharing (or not!).

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

Honestly, the combination of pecans, sweet syrup, and smooth chocolate is a winner every holiday season in my house. This recipe is straightforward but feels luxe and special, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Bite-sized indulgence: These pecan pie balls are perfect for when you want a small sweet treat without committing to a whole pie.
No-bake convenience: You skip the oven and still get all those cozy flavors, which means less stress but maximum yum.
Customizable chocolate coating: You can play with different chocolate colors or types for festive flair or personal preference.
Great for gifting: These make charming homemade presents that look as good as they taste.

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

Each ingredient in this Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe plays a specific role — from texture to flavor balance. Using good quality staples really makes the difference here, especially with the nuts and syrups.

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: They provide that classic crunchy, buttery bite reminiscent of pecan pie, finely chopped to pack into the balls easily.
Graham cracker crumbs: These add a subtle sweetness and act as the binder along with the sticky syrups to hold everything together.
Brown sugar: Deep molasses notes enrich the flavor and work beautifully with the pecans.
Maple syrup: Using real maple syrup (not pancake syrup) adds a warm, complex sweetness that shines through.
Light Karo syrup: This helps with the chewy texture and hold – you can adjust or substitute if needed, but it’s key to that pie filling feel.
Salted butter: Adds richness and helps meld the flavors while contributing moisture.
Almond and rum extracts: These small flavor boosters add delightful complexity and hint at traditional pecan pie spices.
Chocolate melting discs: Melt and coat the balls smoothly; I love using Ghirardelli discs, but almond bark or a blend of chocolate chips with shortening works too.
Optional holiday sprinkles: For that extra festive touch if you’re making these for a party or gift.

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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 love tweaking this recipe depending on the season or who I’m serving. The beauty of pecan pie balls is how easy they adapt – from flavors to how you coat them.

Variation: For a boozy twist, I once added a splash of bourbon instead of rum extract, which gave the balls a rich warmth everyone raved about.
Dairy-free option: Swap the butter for coconut oil to make these vegan-friendly, and use dairy-free chocolate discs for coating.
Flavor swaps: If you’re not into rum, vanilla extract works just as well — I've done this many times with delicious results.

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

Step 1: Mix the magic filling

Start by combining your finely chopped pecans, graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, maple syrup, Karo syrup, melted butter, almond extract, and rum extract in a large bowl. I like to use a wooden spoon here to get everything evenly blended without overly breaking down the pecans. Once mixed, cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight — this part is crucial because chilling lets the flavors meld and the filling firm up so it’s easier to shape.

Step 2: Form the pecan balls

After chilling, scoop into 2-inch portions (I use a cookie scoop) and wet your hands with warm water to help form smooth, tight balls without sticking. I gently press the pecan mixture in my palm, then roll it into a ball to keep everything compact. Set these on a parchment-lined baking sheet as you go. If you skip wetting your hands, the sticky filling can become a mess to handle!

Step 3: Melt the chocolate coating

Use a medium bowl that isn’t too deep to melt the chocolate discs according to package directions. Stir until smooth and glossy – this is the moment when your balls turn from tasty to downright decadent. If you’re using chips with shortening, melt carefully in the microwave on medium, stirring often to avoid seizing.

Step 4: Dip and decorate

Using a fork, gently dip each pecan ball into the melted chocolate, rolling it around to coat completely. Lift out carefully to avoid breaking the shape and set back on your parchment-lined sheet. If you like, sprinkle a few festive candy decorations on top immediately for a pop of color. Refrigerate the tray uncovered for about 2 hours so the chocolate coatings firm up properly.

Top Tip

Through making these balls many times, I’ve learned a few tricks to make your life easier and the results flawless. These pointers really help you avoid common pitfalls and get that perfect texture and shine.

Use a cookie scoop for even sizing: This helps all the pecan balls bake/melt consistently and looks nicer when served.
Wet your hands with warm water: It’s a small step that prevents the filling from sticking to your palms and helps shape neater balls.
Melt chocolate slowly and stir often: Chocolate can seize if overheated; low and slow with frequent stirring is key.
Don’t skip chilling the filling: I’ve tried forming balls right away—trust me, it’s much messier and the balls don’t hold up as nicely.

How to Serve Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it classic with just a sprinkle of holiday-themed candy decorations on top. Occasionally, I dust them lightly with a bit of flaky sea salt for a sweet-salty surprise, which wowed my guests at a party last year.

Side Dishes

Serve these alongside a cup of strong coffee or spiced tea for an indulgent afternoon pick-me-up. They also pair beautifully with creamy vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a mini dessert platter.

Creative Ways to Present

For festive gatherings, I like to arrange the balls on a pretty platter with some fresh mint leaves and seasonal fruits like cranberries. Wrapped individually in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbons, these make delightful party favors or hostess gifts too.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover pecan pie balls keep beautifully in the fridge — just store them uncovered on a tray or plate covered loosely with plastic wrap to keep the chocolate crisp. They last up to 5 days without losing flavor or texture.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these successfully by placing them in a single layer on parchment to freeze solid first, then transferring to an airtight container or freezer bag. When you’re ready, just thaw in the fridge overnight — the texture holds up surprisingly well.

Reheating

Since these are best served chilled, reheating isn’t necessary. But if you like your chocolate a bit softer, leave them at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving, and they’ll soften up just enough without losing form.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different nuts instead of pecans?

Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds can be swapped in for pecans, but keep in mind it will slightly change the flavor and texture profile — pecans have a unique buttery quality that’s hard to replicate.

What if I don’t have almond or rum extract?

You can easily substitute vanilla extract for both or either extract. The flavor won’t be exactly the same, but it will still be delicious. The extracts just add a little extra dimension to the filling.

Can I prepare these without refrigeration?

Chilling the filling before forming the balls is important to firm it up and blend the flavors. Skipping refrigeration may lead to sticky, crumbly balls that don’t hold their shape well or get properly coated with chocolate.

What chocolate works best for the coating?

Chocolate melting discs or almond bark are ideal because they melt smoothly and harden with a shiny finish. Semi-sweet chocolate chips can be used if mixed with a bit of shortening and melted carefully, but avoid baking chocolate as it doesn’t set well for dipping.

Final Thoughts

I truly think this Chocolate Coated Pecan Pie Balls Recipe has a special place in any dessert lineup — it’s fuss-free, sneaks in all those warm nostalgic flavors, and makes sharing simple. Next time you want a show-stopper treat that doesn’t require an oven, give these a whirl. I’m betting you’ll become as hooked as I am.