Pin it The first time I made these Oreo cookie sushi rolls, I was standing in my kitchen on a rainy afternoon, staring at a pile of Oreos and wondering if I could pull off something ridiculous enough to make my nephew laugh. Turns out, there's something magical about taking something familiar and turning it completely silly—the moment he bit into one and his eyes went wide, I knew I'd stumbled onto something special. What started as a joke became the dessert everyone now asks me to bring.
I made these for my coworker's baby shower last spring, and watching grown adults giggle while eating them felt like a small victory. Someone actually asked if they were the 'safe' dessert for their kid, and I got to say yes—no nuts, just pure indulgence in a playful package. That moment reminded me that the best recipes are the ones that bring unexpected joy to a room.
Ingredients
- Oreo cookies: Buy the regular kind, not the double-stuffed ones, or your ratio will be off and you'll end up with a crumbly mess (learned this the messy way).
- Cream cheese: Let it soften on the counter for 15 minutes—cold cream cheese will fight you when you're trying to blend it with the crumbs.
- Banana: Pick one that's ripe but still firm; if it's too soft, it'll just squish when you roll it up.
- Sweetened shredded coconut: The sweetened version adds flavor, but unsweetened works too if that's what you have.
- Strawberry jam: Any fruit preserve works, but jam spreads more smoothly than whole-fruit varieties.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: Don't use dark or milk chocolate unless you want to completely change the flavor profile—semisweet is the sweet spot.
- Heavy cream: This makes the chocolate silky instead of thick and clumpy when it melts.
- Soy sauce: Optional, but it adds a subtle depth and makes the dip look more authentic to the sushi joke.
Instructions
- Crush the Oreos:
- Separate each cookie and scrape out the filling—you can eat those or save them for another moment. Pulse the cookies in a food processor until they're fine crumbs that look like wet sand.
- Mix your base:
- Add softened cream cheese to the crumbs and blend until it looks like sticky dough that actually holds together when you squeeze it. This is your sushi rice substitute.
- Spread and layer:
- Lay plastic wrap on your counter, then spread your mixture into a rough rectangle about 8 by 6 inches and a quarter-inch thick. The plastic wrap is your secret weapon—it keeps things from sticking to your hands.
- Add the jam and coconut:
- Spread a thin, even layer of strawberry jam across the top, then sprinkle coconut over it. Don't overload or it'll squeeze out the sides when you roll.
- Position the banana:
- Peel your banana and lay it lengthwise along one edge of the rectangle, right where you'd put the filling in actual sushi. This is the core that holds everything together.
- Roll it up:
- Use the plastic wrap to help you lift and tightly roll the mixture around the banana, creating a firm log. The plastic wrap does most of the work here—you're just guiding.
- Chill to set:
- Refrigerate for 10 minutes so everything firms up enough to slice without falling apart. This step actually matters more than you'd think.
- Make the dip:
- Combine chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl, then microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring between each one until it's smooth and pourable. A drop of soy sauce adds color and a whisper of complexity.
- Slice and serve:
- Unwrap your roll, slice it into inch-thick pieces with a sharp knife (a clean knife between cuts keeps things neat), and arrange on a platter. Serve with the warm chocolate dip and watch the magic happen.
Pin it My sister made these for her book club last month and texted me a photo of six grown women holding them up to the light like they were examining sushi at a fancy restaurant. That moment—when a silly joke becomes something people actually treasure—that's when I realized this recipe is about more than taste. It's about permission to be playful in the kitchen.
How to Nail the Rolling
The plastic wrap trick is non-negotiable. I used to try rolling by hand and always ended up with sticky fingers and a lopsided mess. Once I started using the wrap, everything changed—you get clean edges, even thickness, and the whole thing slides together like you actually know what you're doing. The wrap creates just enough distance between your hands and the filling that you can apply real pressure without squishing it.
Flavor Combinations to Explore
The strawberry-coconut filling is classic, but this is where you get to improvise. I've tried peanut butter instead of jam (incredible), and my friend swears by Nutella smeared on top of the coconut. You could even do a birthday cake version with crushed vanilla wafers, cream cheese, and rainbow sprinkles. Each variation still tastes like a celebration, just a different kind of one.
Making It a Moment
The real magic is in how you serve these—arrange them on a platter, warm the chocolate dip, and suddenly you've created a whole experience. I've learned that people eat with their eyes first, and sushi rolls (even fake ones) look impressive. Set them out at room temperature, keep the dip warm in a small bowl, and let people help themselves.
- Make them up to 4 hours ahead and store in the fridge—they actually taste better when chilled and the flavors have melded.
- If someone's allergic to dairy, you can make a dairy-free version using coconut cream instead of cream cheese, though the texture will be slightly different.
- Serve these alongside green tea or cold milk to complete the sushi illusion.
Pin it These rolls remind me that cooking doesn't always have to be serious or complicated to be memorable. Sometimes the best recipes are the ones that make people smile before they even take a bite.
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I make the Oreo base sticky enough to roll?
Crush Oreo cookies finely and mix with softened cream cheese until the mixture becomes sticky and pliable, allowing for easy rolling.
- → Can I substitute the banana with other fruits?
Yes, you can replace banana with strawberries or other soft fruits to vary texture and flavor in the rolls.
- → What does the soy sauce add to the chocolate dip?
Added in small amounts, soy sauce enhances color and imparts a subtle depth of flavor to the chocolate dip without overwhelming sweetness.
- → Is it necessary to chill the rolls before slicing?
Chilling the rolls for about 10 minutes firms the mixture, making it easier to slice cleanly into pieces without breaking.
- → How can I customize the garnish on the rolls?
Sprinkles, shredded coconut, or crushed nuts can be used as garnishes to add texture and visual appeal according to your preference.