There’s just something so satisfying about bite-sized treats that pack all the flavor of a classic dessert. This Pecan Pie Balls with Chocolate Coating Recipe brings that cozy pecan pie goodness into fun, hand-held morsels covered in silky chocolate — perfect for any holiday gathering or a sweet snack whenever the mood strikes.

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 Pecan Pie Balls with Chocolate Coating Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Pecan Pie Balls with Chocolate Coating Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Pecan Pie Balls with Chocolate Coating Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love sharing this recipe because it feels like pecan pie reimagined in a way that’s quick, easy, and super fun. You don’t need to fire up your oven, and the chocolate coating adds a luscious touch that makes these little balls irresistible.

Bite-sized perfection: These treats are easy to pop in your mouth and perfect for parties or quick indulgences.
No baking required: Save time and avoid heating up your kitchen — these are all about chilling and dipping.
Rich, indulgent flavors: The mix of pecans, maple syrup, and extracts with a chocolate coat hits all the right notes.
Customizable and festive: Add a dash of holiday sprinkles or switch up extracts to make it yours.

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 Pecan Pie Balls with Chocolate Coating Recipe plays a role in building those rich, nutty flavors and silky textures. From the crunchy pecans to the sweet syrup combo, every piece works in harmony to mimic that luscious pecan pie taste without the fuss.

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, providing that classic pecan pie crunch and buttery flavor.
Graham cracker crumbs: Add a slightly sweet, slightly crunchy base to hold the balls together.
Brown sugar: Deep caramel notes complement the pecans perfectly.
Maple syrup: I recommend using real maple syrup for its rich flavor—it’s what elevates these balls.
Light Karo syrup: Helps bind everything and adds a mild sweetness and shine.
Salted butter: Melted for richness and to enhance the flavor.
Almond extract: Adds a subtle nuttiness that pairs beautifully with pecans.
Rum extract: Gives a hint of warmth and complexity, but vanilla extract works well too.
Chocolate melting discs: These are super smooth and perfect for coating — Ghirardelli is a good brand, but many work. They melt easily and harden with a glossy finish.
Holiday-themed sprinkles (optional): For a festive pop of color and fun texture.

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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

One of the things I adore about this Pecan Pie Balls with Chocolate Coating Recipe is how inviting it is to tweak. I usually stick to the classic combo, but sometimes I swap out the rum extract for vanilla or add a pinch of cinnamon to warm things up even more — and it always turns out great.

Variation: For a twist, try adding a pinch of cinnamon or a splash of bourbon instead of rum extract—adds a lovely depth without overpowering.
Diet-friendly: You can swap the butter for coconut oil if you'd like a dairy-free version.
Flavor swaps: White chocolate melting discs are fantastic here if you want a sweeter, creamier coating alternative.

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

Step 1: Mix and chill the pecan filling

Start by finely chopping your pecans so every bite has that perfect crunch. In a big bowl, mix them with graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, maple syrup, karo syrup, melted salted butter, almond extract, and rum extract using a wooden spoon. Once everything’s well combined, cover it with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least 2 hours. I like to leave it overnight sometimes—it really helps the flavors come together and the mixture firm up for easier handling.

Step 2: Form those pecan pie balls

When you’re ready, use a 2-inch cookie scoop to portion out the chilled mixture. Wet your hands with warm water—that’s my best tip—to keep the filling from sticking and gently press each scoop into a tight ball. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This part is fun because you can really get a feel for the texture. If any crumble apart, just press back together; the moisture from the syrup helps everything stick nicely.

Step 3: Melt the chocolate and coat your balls

Next, melt your chocolate melting discs in a medium bowl according to package instructions—usually a quick stint in the microwave or gentle double boiler does the trick. Stir until silky smooth. Using a fork, gently dip and roll each pecan ball in the chocolate, being careful not to break it apart. Lift the coated ball out, letting excess chocolate drip back into the bowl, then place it back on the parchment-lined sheet.

Step 4: Add festive touches and chill again

If you’re feeling festive, sprinkle holiday-themed candy sprinkles on top immediately after dipping. Then pop the whole tray back into the fridge, uncovered, to let the chocolate harden up—this usually takes about 2 hours. Once set, these little gems are ready to enjoy or store.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that make this Pecan Pie Balls with Chocolate Coating Recipe foolproof and truly enjoyable to make. These tips saved me from sticky hands and crumbly balls the first times I tried!

Warm water for shaping: Always wet your hands before rolling the pecan mixture—it keeps things from sticking and helps form tight, compact balls.
Don’t rush chilling: Let the mixture chill well in the fridge so it’s firm enough to scoop and shape easily without falling apart.
Gentle chocolate dipping: Use a fork to dip and lift—this prevents damaging the balls and lets excess chocolate drip off nicely.
Choose quality chocolate: Melt discs or almond bark give a smooth finish and re-harden better than semi-sweet chips alone.

How to Serve Pecan Pie Balls with Chocolate Coating Recipe

Garnishes

I like keeping it simple with a handful of holiday sprinkles, especially around winter gatherings—it adds a cheerful crunch and makes the balls look extra special. Sometimes I'll sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top for a lovely contrast against the sweet chocolate, which takes the flavor up a notch.

Side Dishes

Pair these pecan pie balls with a warm cup of coffee or spiced tea for a cozy afternoon treat. They’re also fantastic alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream if you want to serve them as part of a dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve arranged mine on a tiered dessert stand with festive greenery and twinkling lights nearby to create a warm atmosphere. Wrapping individual balls in mini cupcake liners or cellophane bags tied with ribbon makes them perfect little gifts too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover Pecan Pie Balls with Chocolate Coating in an uncovered container in the fridge—this keeps the chocolate from sweating and helps maintain that crisp coating for up to five days. Just bring them to room temp before serving for the best texture.

Freezing

Freezing works surprisingly well. I lay the balls out on a parchment sheet in a single layer to freeze solid, then transfer them to an airtight container or bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them in the fridge overnight. The texture stays great and they’re a convenient sweet treat to have on hand.

Reheating

These don’t really need reheating—you’ll want to taste that cool chocolate shell! But if you like warm bites, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave softens the centers nicely without melting the outer chocolate too much. Just watch carefully to avoid overheating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of melting discs?

You can, but you’ll get the best smooth coating and crisp finish using chocolate melting discs or almond bark. If you only have semi-sweet chips, melt them gently with a bit of unflavored shortening or coconut oil to help achieve the right texture. Avoid overheating to prevent seizing.

How long do pecan pie balls last once made?

Stored uncovered in the refrigerator, they’ll keep their texture and taste well for up to five days. Just let them come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.

Can I make these ahead for holiday parties?

Absolutely! These make great make-ahead treats. You can prepare them up to a couple of days in advance and keep them refrigerated. If you want to prep earlier, freezing works well too—just thaw overnight in the fridge.

What if I don’t have Karo syrup, can I substitute it?

If you don’t have Karo syrup, increase the maple syrup slightly. Just be mindful that Karo syrup helps with the texture and binding, so the pecan mixture might be a tad less firm, but still delicious.

Final Thoughts

I’m honestly so happy to share this Pecan Pie Balls with Chocolate Coating Recipe because it’s become a personal favorite in my kitchen when I want that special pecan pie flavor without fuss. Whether you’re gifting them, snacking after dinner, or adding to a holiday spread, these are sure to bring smiles. Give it a try—you might end up making them your go-to sweet treat too!