These pumpkin Oreo balls are the cutest no-bake fall dessert! Made with just 5 simple ingredients, these festive Oreo truffles are shaped like mini pumpkins and dipped in orange chocolate. They’re perfect for Halloween parties, Thanksgiving gatherings, or any fall celebration.
Kids love helping make these easy Oreo balls, and they’re always the first treat to disappear at parties. With no oven required and simple decorating, this pumpkin dessert is as fun to make as it is to eat!
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Oreo Balls Recipe
These no-bake Oreo truffles are beginner-friendly and foolproof. The classic combination of crushed Oreos and cream cheese creates a rich, truffle-like texture that’s coated in smooth orange chocolate. The pumpkin shape adds festive flair that makes them perfect for fall dessert tables.
Unlike complicated desserts, pumpkin Oreo balls require no special baking skills. If you can crush cookies and roll balls, you can make these! They’re also incredibly versatile—use regular or pumpkin spice Oreos for different flavor profiles.
Ingredients for Pumpkin Oreo Balls
This simple recipe requires only 5 ingredients:
- 36 Oreo cookies (regular or pumpkin spice, not double stuffed)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 12 oz orange candy melts (or orange melting wafers)
- Pretzel sticks (for pumpkin stems)
- Green decorations (leaf icing decorations, green M&Ms, or green icing)
Pro Tip: Use regular Oreos for classic chocolate flavor, or pumpkin spice Oreos for an extra autumn twist!
How to Make Pumpkin Oreo Balls
Step 1: Crush the Oreos Place Oreo cookies in a food processor and pulse until they form fine, even crumbs. You want a consistency similar to wet sand—no large chunks. If you don’t have a food processor, place cookies in a ziplock bag and crush with a rolling pin.
Step 2: Mix with Cream Cheese Add softened cream cheese to the cookie crumbs. Process or mix until well combined and the mixture holds together when squeezed. The cream cheese should be fully incorporated with no white streaks.
Step 3: Form into Balls Using a small cookie scoop (about 1 tablespoon), scoop the mixture and roll into 1-inch balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This recipe makes approximately 30-36 Oreo balls depending on size.
Refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm up.
Step 4: Shape Like Pumpkins Remove from refrigerator. Use a toothpick to gently score vertical lines from top to bottom around each ball, creating 5-6 indentations to resemble pumpkin ridges. Don’t press too deep—just make visible grooves.
Return to the refrigerator for another 10 minutes to set the shape.
Step 5: Melt the Chocolate While the Oreo balls chill, melt orange candy melts according to package directions. You can use a double boiler or microwave (30-second intervals, stirring between each). The chocolate should be smooth and pourable.
Step 6: Dip and Decorate Using a fork or dipping tool, dip each pumpkin Oreo ball into the melted orange chocolate. Tap gently to remove excess chocolate, then place back on the parchment-lined sheet.
Immediately insert a small piece of pretzel stick at the top for the pumpkin stem. Place a green leaf decoration or green M&M next to the stem to complete the pumpkin look.
Step 7: Chill and Serve Refrigerate until the chocolate shell hardens, about 15-20 minutes. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Expert Tips for Perfect Oreo Balls
Soften Cream Cheese Properly: Leave cream cheese at room temperature for 1-2 hours before using. Softened cream cheese mixes smoothly without lumps.
Don’t Use Double Stuffed Oreos: Double stuffed Oreos have too much cream filling, making the mixture too soft and difficult to shape.
Chill Between Steps: Chilling helps the Oreo balls hold their shape during dipping and prevents them from falling apart in the melted chocolate.
Work Quickly When Decorating: Add pretzel stems and leaf decorations immediately after dipping, while the chocolate is still wet. Once it hardens, decorations won’t stick.
Use a Cookie Scoop: A small cookie scoop ensures all your pumpkin Oreo balls are uniform in size and look professional.
Keep Hands Cool: If the mixture gets too soft while rolling, wash your hands with cold water and dry them. Cold hands prevent the mixture from sticking.
Pumpkin Spice Oreo Balls Variation
Want to amp up the fall flavor? Use pumpkin spice Oreos instead of regular Oreos! The recipe stays exactly the same, but you’ll get an extra layer of cinnamon and spice flavor that’s perfect for autumn.
Pumpkin spice Oreo balls are especially popular for Thanksgiving dessert tables and fall potlucks. They pair beautifully with hot apple cider or pumpkin spice lattes.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerator Storage: Store pumpkin Oreo balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Keep them chilled until 15-20 minutes before serving for best texture.
Freezer Storage: Freeze Oreo balls in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Serving Temperature: These taste best when served cool but not ice cold. Remove from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving for the ideal texture—firm chocolate shell with a soft, creamy interior.
Party Tip: Don’t leave Oreo balls at room temperature for more than 1 hour. The cream cheese will soften and change the texture.
Decorating Ideas and Variations
Halloween Theme: Use candy eyes and orange icing to create jack-o’-lantern faces on your pumpkin Oreo balls.
Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free Oreos for a gluten-free alternative. The recipe works exactly the same!
Different Colors: Make autumn-themed Oreo balls in various colors—brown (chocolate melts), yellow (butterscotch), and red (red melts) for a fall variety platter.
Holiday Twist: Shape into turkeys for Thanksgiving, snowmen for Christmas, or hearts for Valentine’s Day. The base recipe is incredibly versatile!
Drizzle Design: After the orange chocolate hardens, drizzle with white or dark chocolate for extra visual appeal.
Why Oreo Balls Are Perfect for Parties
No-bake Oreo truffles are ideal party desserts because they’re:
- Make-ahead friendly – Prepare days in advance
- Kid-friendly – Simple enough for children to help make
- Portable – Easy to transport without worrying about melting or breaking
- Bite-sized – No plates or forks needed
- Crowd-pleasing – Everyone loves the Oreos and cream cheese combo
These pumpkin Oreo balls work beautifully for Halloween costume parties, fall festivals, Thanksgiving dinners, school parties, and autumn baby showers.
Serving Suggestions
Display your pumpkin Oreo balls on:
- A rustic wooden board with autumn leaves
- A white cake stand for elegant presentation
- Individual cupcake liners on a tiered tray
- A harvest-themed platter with other fall treats
Pair with:
- Hot apple cider or mulled wine
- Pumpkin spice lattes
- Hot chocolate with cinnamon
- Caramel apple slices
- Other fall desserts like pecan pie or pumpkin cheesecake

Troubleshooting Common Issues
Oreo balls are too soft: Your cream cheese was too soft, or you used double stuffed Oreos. Chill longer before dipping.
Chocolate coating is too thick: The candy melts are too cool or too thick. Reheat slightly or add 1 teaspoon of coconut oil to thin the chocolate.
Decorations won’t stick: You waited too long to add them. Decorations must be added immediately after dipping while chocolate is wet.
Balls fall apart when dipping: They weren’t chilled long enough. Freeze for 15 minutes before dipping if they’re too soft.
Pumpkin shape isn’t visible: Score lines deeper with the toothpick, and make sure to chill after shaping so the grooves hold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use a food processor? No, but it makes crushing cookies easier. You can place Oreos in a ziplock bag and crush with a rolling pin, then mix with cream cheese using a hand mixer or wooden spoon.
Can I use chocolate chips instead of candy melts? Candy melts work best because they harden smoothly. Chocolate chips require tempering or the addition of coconut oil to achieve the right consistency.
How long do pumpkin Oreo balls last? Up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator or 3 months in the freezer when stored properly in airtight containers.
Do Oreo balls need to be refrigerated? Yes! The cream cheese must stay cold to maintain proper texture. These should not sit at room temperature for more than an hour.
Can I make these ahead of time? Absolutely! Pumpkin Oreo balls are perfect make-ahead desserts. Prepare them 2-3 days before your event and store in the fridge.
What if I can’t find orange candy melts? Use white candy melts and add orange food coloring or gel, or use butterscotch chips for a similar orange color.
These easy pumpkin Oreo balls prove that the best desserts don’t require hours in the kitchen. With 5 simple ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll have an adorable fall treat that tastes as good as it looks!

Easy Pumpkin Oreo Balls
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place Oreos in a food processor and pulse until fine crumbs form. If no processor, crush in a ziplock bag with a rolling pin.
- Add softened cream cheese to the cookie crumbs and blend until fully combined. The mixture should hold together when squeezed.
- Use a 1-tablespoon scoop to shape mixture into 1-inch balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- Score vertical lines around each ball with a toothpick to resemble pumpkin ridges. Chill again for 10 minutes to set shape.
- Melt orange candy melts according to package directions (microwave or double boiler) until smooth and pourable.
- Dip each pumpkin ball in melted chocolate, tap off excess, and place back on parchment. Add pretzel stick stem and green leaf decoration immediately.
- Refrigerate 15–20 minutes until chocolate hardens. Store in refrigerator until serving.






