A novel Pd@PdO nanoparticles (NPs) catalyst was successfully prepared by a HaNPV virions template in the absence of reducing agents. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electrochemical measurements were used to investigate the structure, composition and the electrocatalytic activity. The prepared Pd@PdO NPs/C has a high electrochemical active surface area, and thus enhances the performance of electric catalytic oxidation towards methanol and ethanol in alkaline medium. Long-term current–time measurements show that the as-prepared catalysts have better stability and higher CO tolerance than the commercial Pd/C catalysts.