Save to Pinterest My friend Sarah showed up to game night with these ridiculous Oreo sushi rolls, and I watched grown adults actually debate whether dessert sushi was genius or comedy. Turns out it was both. She packed them with cream cheese and banana, added this chocolate dip that somehow screamed "soy sauce but make it sweet," and suddenly everyone forgot the movie we were supposed to watch. That night taught me that the best recipes are the ones that make people smile before they even taste them.
I made these for my daughter's seventh birthday party thinking they'd be a cute novelty, and three kids asked for the recipe to bring home. Watching a five-year-old carefully "dip" an Oreo sushi roll in chocolate sauce with the focus of a professional chef broke something open in me about how food doesn't have to be complicated to matter.
Ingredients
- Oreo cookies: The foundation of everything here, and yes, you're buying them specifically to crush them into submission, which is honestly cathartic.
- Cream cheese: Make sure it's softened before you start, or you'll be fighting it; soft cream cheese blends into the crumbs like it was always meant to be there.
- Banana: Your structural core that holds the whole roll together, and it should be ripe enough to peel easily but firm enough not to squish.
- Strawberry jam: Any fruit preserve works, but jam has the right sticky texture to hold everything in place.
- Shredded coconut: The textural surprise that makes people pause and ask what that is before their eyes light up.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: The bridge between "dessert" and "fancy dessert," melting into glossy dip gold.
- Heavy cream: A splash transforms chocolate chips into luxurious, spoonable sauce rather than thick clumps.
- Soy sauce: Optional, but it adds a whisper of color and a tiny umami undertone that makes people say "what IS this flavor."
Instructions
- Crush and Create:
- Separate your Oreos and collect the cream, then pulse the cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor, making the kitchen smell like a cookie factory in the best way. Once they're sand-like, mix in softened cream cheese until the whole thing holds together like edible Play-Doh.
- Build Your Canvas:
- Lay plastic wrap flat and spread your Oreo mixture into a rectangle about 8 by 6 inches, pressing it down to roughly a quarter-inch thickness. Think of it like spreading frosting on a cake, but you're aiming for a sushi-roll thickness.
- Layer with Purpose:
- Spread jam thinly over the Oreo base like you're being intentional about coverage, then sprinkle coconut across the whole surface. This is where you decide if you're going tropical or keeping it classic.
- The Core Roll:
- Place your peeled banana lengthwise near one edge, and using the plastic wrap as your guide, roll it all up tightly like you're wrapping a gift, with the banana as the treasure inside. The plastic wrap does all the work here; just let it support the roll as you go.
- Chill and Set:
- Slide the whole wrapped roll into the fridge for 10 minutes while you make your dip, giving it just enough time to firm up without turning rock-hard.
- Melt the Magic:
- Combine chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring between each one, until you have glossy, smooth chocolate that pours like a dream. Stir in soy sauce if you want that subtle, mysterious depth.
- Slice and Serve:
- Unwrap your chilled roll and slice it into inch-thick pieces with a sharp knife, wiping the blade clean between cuts so each piece looks intentional. Arrange them on a platter like the little edible art they are.
Save to Pinterest The real magic happened when my nephew, who'd been skeptical about anything that looked like sushi, took one bite and declared it "the best thing I've ever eaten." Food moments like that remind you why you spend time in the kitchen, turning ordinary ingredients into memories.
The Texture Game
What makes these rolls work is the contrast between creamy, crunchy Oreo pieces and the soft banana center, with that surprise burst of jam and coconut texture. Every bite is intentional; nothing's there by accident. That's the whole philosophy of why this works at all.
Variations That Still Work
You can absolutely swap the banana for sliced strawberries, skip the fruit entirely and layer in peanut butter instead, or even add a thin smear of white chocolate under the jam for extra richness. The foundation is flexible, which is why friends keep coming back with their own ideas. Green tea or cold milk pairs perfectly with these if you want to lean into the whole sushi experience joke.
Make It Yours
The beauty of this dessert is that it invites personalization without requiring expertise. Start with the basic formula, taste as you go, and let your kitchen instincts guide you toward flavors you actually want to eat.
- Press the Oreo mixture firmly but gently so it holds together without getting dense or heavy.
- Chill your chocolate dip slightly before serving if your kitchen is warm, so it coats rather than pools.
- Make these no more than a few hours ahead, or the Oreo mixture will absorb moisture and lose its texture.
Save to Pinterest These rolls sit at the intersection of simple and show-stopping, which is the best place for a recipe to live. Make them once and they'll become your go-to when you want to impress people without the stress.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I substitute the banana with other fruits?
Yes, strawberries or other soft fruits can replace the banana to change the texture and flavor profile.
- → What is the purpose of soy sauce in the chocolate dip?
The soy sauce adds a subtle umami depth and dark color to the chocolate dip, enhancing its richness.
- → How should the rolls be stored before serving?
Chill the rolled log in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to firm up before slicing and serving.
- → Can the shredded coconut be omitted or replaced?
Yes, shredded coconut is optional and can be left out or replaced with crushed nuts for added texture.
- → What tools are necessary to prepare these rolls?
A food processor for crushing cookies, plastic wrap for rolling, a microwave-safe bowl for melting chocolate, and a sharp knife to slice.
- → Are these suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, the ingredients used fit a vegetarian diet, excluding any meat or animal-derived gelatin.