Heterogeneous catalysts with a considerable active surface area are critically important to achieve the excellent catalytic activity. In this work, hence, a hierarchical Pd@Ni catalyst with a snow-like Ni nanostructure was prepared by combining the hydrothermal synthesis method with spontaneously galvanic replacement reaction. The snow-like Ni nanostructure on nickel foam not only effectively increased the specific surface area, but also ensured good dispersion of Pd nanocatalyst. Experimental results confirmed that the specific surface area of nickel foam was increased from 1 m(2)/g to 33 m(2)/g and the metallic active surface area was promoted from 0.34 m(2)/g to 1.31 m(2)/g. The catalytic activity and lifetime of the hierarchical Pd@Ni catalyst was also evaluated by nitrobenzene hydrogenation. It was demonstrated that, benefited from the higher catalytic surface area and the strong interaction between Pd and NiO, the hierarchical Pd@Ni catalyst could present both higher catalytic performance (TOF = 242 h(-1)) and lifetime than the conventional catalyst.