A sensitive and novel electrochemical sensor with Au-Pd and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposites modified glassy carbon electrode (Au-Pd-RGO/GCE) was successfully fabricated by one-step synthesis method for the detection of Sunset Yellow. The as-prepared composites were uniformly dispersed on the surface of electrode with an average diameter of approximately 3.44 nm, and the ultrafine nanoparticles effectively enhanced the electrochemical active surface area of GCE. The modified electrode had been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and electrochemical tests. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) results showed high stability and outstanding electrocatalytic activity of Au-Pd-RGO/GCE for the detection of SY with low detection limits (1.5 nM, S/N = 3) and wide concentration ranges (0.686-331.686 mu M). The Au-Pd-RGO/GCE was further applied to detect SY in real samples with good recovery. Herein, the fabricated Au-Pd-RGO/GCE showed excellent sensitivity, stability and repeatability for the detection of SY and will be a promising application in electrochemical sensor. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.