The design of a non-noble-metal electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is crucial for the renewable energy technologies related to electrochemical energy conversion and storage. Herein, we demonstrate a facile one-pot protocol for the highly selective growth of nanosized cobalt oxide on hollow carbon spheres. The unique structural features enable them to be an efficient non-precious catalyst for the ORR and offer potential applications in the fields of alkaline fuel cells.