Oreo Dirt Pie Recipe

I have to admit that this no bake Oreo Dirt Pie is my kind of Halloween treat. It is creamy, chocolatey, and just a little spooky. I love that is easy enough for the kids to join in, and prep takes only about 20 minutes using chocolate pudding, butter, and cookie crumbs. The only waiting is while it chills, which is why I usually make it the night before serving.

I remember when I first saw this pie online, I was curious about how it would taste. I have always loved making recipes with Oreos, like my Dream Extreme Oreo Cheesecake and my Oreo Nutella Cake. So, Halloween was the perfect excuse to give it a try with my kids helping, of course. They took charge of the dirt toppings, and let me tell you, it turned out absolutely delicious.

If you are getting ready to celebrate Halloween with your friends, I highly recommend giving this a try. It is super easy to prepare ahead of time and have ready when you need it. For this yummy dessert, you only need a few simple ingredients like instant pudding mix, cookies, Cool Whip, butter, half and half, and gummy worms. You can swap the worms for other fun decorations to make your pie unique, such as candy pumpkins, skeletons, gravestones, or little spiders for Halloween.

Why you will love this recipe

• Fun and spooky for Halloween: I make this Oreo Dirt Pie every year for our Halloween party, and it always makes everyone smile. It is creamy, chocolatey, and covered with cookie crumbs and gummy worms that make it look spooky and super fun.
• Easy no bake dessert: I love that I can make it ahead of time using simple ingredients like instant pudding, butter, Cool Whip, and Oreos. It sets perfectly in the fridge, and there is no need to turn on the oven.
• Perfect for parties and kids: My kids help decorate the pie with gummy worms, candy pumpkins, and little spiders. It is always a hit at family gatherings, or school parties because everyone wants a slice.
• Creamy and chocolate rich flavor: I enjoy how the smooth pudding blends with the crunchy cookie crumbs to make a sweet and creamy dessert. The mix of textures and rich chocolate taste makes this one of my favorite Halloween treats.

What you will need

• Oreo crust: I crush about 22 Oreo cookies and mix them with melted butter.
• Pudding layer: I use instant chocolate pudding with half and half, then fold in Cool Whip and more cookie crumbs. This creamy layer adds sweetness and a smooth texture to the pie.
• Dirt topping: I crush 6 more Oreos and sprinkle them on top with a few gummy worms.

How to make

Make the crust: I add the Oreo cookie crumbs and melted butter into a small mixing bowl, then stir until the crumbs are fully coated and look like wet sand. I press the mixture into the bottom and sides of a pie plate using my hands or the back of a measuring cup, then place it in the freezer for about 20 to 30 minutes to set.

Make the pudding filling: I use an electric mixer to blend the half and half with the chocolate instant pudding mix in a large bowl. I whisk for about two minutes until it thickens, then let it sit for five minutes to set even more.

Finish the filling: I stir in the Oreo cookie crumbs, then gently fold in the Cool Whip with a spatula until smooth. I spread the pudding mixture evenly into the crust, cover it with plastic wrap, and chill it in the fridge for at least 6 hours.

Make the dirt layer: I take the pie out of the refrigerator and sprinkle the cookie crumbs evenly on top. Then, I use the end of a wooden spoon to make small holes and tuck the gummy worms inside for a fun spooky look. Finally, I serve cold in a glass dish or large bowl. 

Expert tip

Chill overnight for perfection

I recommend to make this Oreo Dirt Pie the night before serving so it has plenty of time to chill. The extra hours in the fridge help the pudding layer firm up perfectly, making it easy to slice while keeping the texture smooth and creamy. Plus, it saves time on party day, which is always a win in my kitchen.

More tips to consider:

• If you do not have a food processor, just put the Oreo cookies into a ziplock baggie and smash them with a rolling pin or meat tenderizer. You could even use a can of veggies. Use freezer bags because they are thicker and will not break open.
• Make sure you use instant pudding mixture and not cook and serve pudding. It will not set properly unless you use instant.
• For faster prep, I sometimes buy a store-bought Oreo crust instead of making my own.
• When I use unsalted butter I add ¼ teaspoon salt in with the crushed cookies and butter.
• You can use cold milk instead of half and half but make sure it is whole milk. 

Recipe variations and add-ins:

• Flavored Oreo fun: I switch things up by using mint or chocolate Oreos instead of the classic ones. Each flavor adds its own fun taste to this chocolate pie.
• New pudding flavor: I make this pie with instant vanilla or butterscotch pudding instead of chocolate. It adds a new flavor that keeps things interesting.
• Different crumb crust: I swap the Oreo crust for a chocolate graham cracker crust. It pairs perfectly with the creamy pudding filling.
• Mini dirt cups: I make smaller versions in clear cups for fun single servings. They look cute, and everyone loves seeing the cookie and pudding layers.
• Creamy cheesecake layer: I mix in one block of whipped cream cheese for a thicker pie. It makes the filling rich and creamy.

Serving suggestions

I love serving this Oreo Dirt Pie in a trifle dish or glass bowl so everyone can see the layers of pudding, cookies, and toppings on the dessert table. It always looks impressive and adds a fun Halloween touch. For an extra rich flavor, I like to make my own homemade chocolate whipped cream or drizzle a little Nutella on top.

To dress it up for Halloween, I sprinkle crushed Oreos with orange and black sprinkles, I add some Halloween cookie dough truffles, mini pumpkins, and candy spiders. Sometimes I serve a scoop of my Oreo Ice Cream on the side for a creamy, cool finish that pairs perfectly with this dessert.

How to store leftovers:

• Store: I keep any leftover Oreo Dirt Pie in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh and creamy for about four to 5 days.
• Freeze: I do not recommend freezing this pie because the cookies soften too much and the pudding becomes watery after thawing. 

Frequently asked questions

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