No Bake Pecan Pie Balls
These no bake pecan pie balls are bite-sized treats that capture all the flavors of classic pecan pie—rich pecans, creamy filling, and a touch of maple—in a quick, easy, and portable dessert perfect for parties or family gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 18-24 balls 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups pecans, toasted and finely chopped
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 6 oz melted dark chocolate or milk chocolate chips (optional, for coating)
- Finely chopped pecans (optional, for rolling after coating)
Instructions
- Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Let cool completely.
- Finely chop the cooled pecans with a knife or pulse in a food processor to coarse crumbs.
- In a mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, chopped pecans, and powdered sugar. Mix gently until evenly combined.
- Add softened cream cheese, maple syrup (or honey), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir with a spatula until a thick, sticky dough forms. Adjust with more syrup or crumbs if needed.
- Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion and roll the mixture into 1-inch balls. Place onto a parchment-lined tray. You should get 18-24 balls.
- Refrigerate the balls for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Optional: Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring until smooth. Dip chilled pecan pie balls into the chocolate, let excess drip off, and place back on the tray. Sprinkle with chopped pecans or flaky sea salt. Let set in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.
- Serve chilled or let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes for extra creaminess.
Notes
Toast pecans for best flavor. For gluten-free, use almond flour or gluten-free cookies. For vegan, use dairy-free cream cheese and maple syrup. If mixture is too dry, add more syrup or cream cheese; if too wet, add more crumbs. Roll balls in extra crumbs or pecans if skipping chocolate. Store in fridge up to 5 days or freeze for 1-2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball (about 1 inch diameter)
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 30
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
Keywords: pecan pie balls, no bake dessert, party bites, holiday treats, easy dessert, pecan pie, cream cheese, chocolate, gluten-free option, vegan option