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The development of electrocatalyst possessing superior oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity is highly desirable due to the low sluggish kinetics at the cathode of fuel cell. Here, CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles embedded in N-doped carbon nanotubes electrocatalyst (denoted as CoFe 2 O 4 -NC) is synthesized via polymerization of pyrrole, absorbing metal ion and annealing under Ar/NH 3 atmosphere. By in situ integrating the catalytically active CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles with the N-doped carbon nanotubes and enhancing electrical conductivity, the as-obtained electrocatalyst exhibits excellent ORR activity and long-term stability with a half-wave potential of 0.86 V and 10 h continuous cycling, outperforming the reported similar catalysts. This work opens a new path for the expansion of low cost and efficient ORR electrocatalysts to substitute Pt-based metals for energy storage and conversion devices. [Display omitted] • In situ synthesis of CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles embedded in N-doped carbon nanotubes. • CoFe 2 O 4 -NC exhibits excellent ORR activity with a half-wave potential of 0.86 V and long-term stability. • The immobilization of particles on carbon tube prevents the CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles from dissolving or aggregating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]