Last updated on October 28th, 2026
These chow mein cookies are one of my all-time favorite Christmas treats! Made with just 3 ingredients, crunchy chow mein noodles, peanut butter, and butterscotch chips, they’re sweet, salty, crunchy, and ridiculously easy to make. No oven required!
I’ve been making these no-bake chow mein noodle cookies since I was a little girl, when my mom made them every Christmas. They’re also known as haystack cookies or Chinese noodle cookies, and trust me, once you try them, you’ll understand why they’ve been a family favorite for generations.
The best part? You can whip up a batch in about 10 minutes, making them perfect for Christmas cookie trays, holiday parties, or whenever you’re craving something sweet!
Why You’ll Love These Chow Mein Cookies
There’s a reason these old-fashioned chow mein noodle cookies have been a Christmas tradition in my family for as long as I can remember!
- Only 3 ingredients: All you need are chow mein noodles, peanut butter, and butterscotch chips.
- No baking required: Just melt, mix, scoop, and refrigerate!
- Sweet, salty, and crunchy: The combination of crispy noodles and creamy butterscotch peanut butter coating is SO good.
- Perfect for Christmas: Add festive sprinkles and you’ve got an easy treat for holiday cookie trays, parties, or homemade gifts.
- Easy to make ahead: Make a batch before the holiday rush and keep them in an airtight container.
And while I love trying new Christmas cookie recipes, these are still the ones I look forward to making every year.
Chow Mein Noodle Cookie Ingredients
You only need three simple ingredients to make these no-bake chow mein cookies!
- 2 cups chow mein noodles: Use the crispy, ready-to-eat chow mein noodles, not the soft noodles used in stir-fries. These give the cookies their signature crunch.
- ½ cup peanut butter: I prefer crunchy peanut butter, but creamy works too. I recommend regular peanut butter rather than natural peanut butter for the most consistent texture.
- 1 cup butterscotch chips: These melt together with the peanut butter to create that delicious, sweet coating that holds everything together.
Optional: Christmas sprinkles, jimmies, or other edible decorations.
Where to find chow mein noodles: Look in the Asian foods aisle of your grocery store. Make sure you’re buying the crispy noodles that are ready to eat.
How to Make Chow Mein Cookies
You can whip up this chow mein noodle cookies recipe so fast it’s actually kinda dangerous. You might find yourself making them and eating them every day!
Step 1: Melt the Butterscotch Chips and Peanut Butter
Add the butterscotch chips and peanut butter to a large microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the butterscotch chips have melted and the mixture is smooth.
Be careful removing the bowl because it can get hot!
Tip: You can also melt the butterscotch chips and peanut butter together using a double boiler on the stove.
Step 2: Stir Until Smooth
Use a large spoon to stir the melted butterscotch chips and peanut butter until everything is thoroughly combined.
The mixture should be smooth enough to coat the chow mein noodles evenly.
Step 3: Add the Chow Mein Noodles
Pour the crispy chow mein noodles into the melted mixture and gently stir until all the noodles are coated.
It’s okay if some of the noodles break, but try not to crush them too much. You want that delicious crunch!
Step 4: Scoop, Decorate, and Chill
Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper.
If you’re adding Christmas sprinkles or other decorations, press them gently onto the cookies while the coating is still warm.
Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator until the cookies have completely set.
That’s it! Your homemade chow mein noodle cookies are ready to enjoy.
Expert Chow Mein Cookie Tips
After making these cookies for so many years, I’ve learned a few tricks to help them turn out just right!
- Don’t overheat the butterscotch chips. Microwave in short 30 second intervals and stir frequently to prevent scorching.
- Use fresh, crispy chow mein noodles. Stale noodles won’t give you that signature crunch.
- Stir gently. You want the noodles coated without breaking them into tiny pieces.
- Work quickly when decorating. Add sprinkles while the coating is still soft so they’ll stick.
- Give them time to set. Refrigerating the cookies helps the coating firm up so they’re easier to handle.
My favorite tip: Use crunchy peanut butter for a little extra texture. That’s how I love them!
Chow Mein Cookie Variations
My momma always made these cookies with butterscotch chips and peanut butter, and that’s still my favorite way to make them!
But there are plenty of ways to put your own spin on these old-fashioned haystack cookies.
- Chocolate chow mein cookies: Try semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate chips in place of the butterscotch chips for a chocolate version.
- White chocolate haystacks: Use white chocolate chips for a different flavor and appearance.
- Extra crunch: Try adding chopped salted peanuts.
- Coconut haystacks: Add a little shredded coconut for another layer of texture.
- Holiday haystacks: Decorate with red and green sprinkles for Christmas or pastel sprinkles for Easter.
If you experiment with different chips or mix-ins, you may need to adjust the amounts to get the right consistency.
For me, though, nothing beats the original butterscotch and peanut butter combination. One bite takes me straight back to my childhood!
And now that I’m a mom, I love knowing I’ve passed this tradition along to my son. Hopefully, he’ll always remember that Mom made these cookies every Christmas.
How To Store Chow Mein Noodle Cookies
Once your chow mein cookies have completely set, transfer them to an airtight container or cookie tin.
At room temperature: Store them in a cool, dry place for up to one week. If your kitchen is warm, the butterscotch coating may soften.
In the refrigerator: Keep them in an airtight container to help them stay firm, especially if your house tends to be warm.
Can you freeze chow mein cookies? Yes! Once completely set, place them in a freezer-safe airtight container with parchment paper between layers. For best quality, try freezing a small batch first to see how well the texture holds up. Let them thaw before serving.
One thing to remember: The coating can soften when the cookies get warm, even from holding them in your hands. But that’s part of their charm!
Frequently Asked Questions About Chow Mein Cookies
Yes! Chow mein cookies are often called haystack cookies because the crispy noodles resemble little piles of hay. Some haystack cookie recipes use chocolate, while this old-fashioned version uses butterscotch chips and peanut butter.
Nope! These are completely no-bake cookies. Simply melt the butterscotch chips with peanut butter, stir in the crispy chow mein noodles, scoop, and refrigerate until firm.
Use crispy, ready-to-eat chow mein noodles, usually found in the Asian foods aisle at grocery stores. Don’t use uncooked pasta-style chow mein noodles.
If the cookies are still soft, the coating may need more time to set. Try refrigerating them until firm. If the ingredient proportions were changed, the coating may also remain softer than expected.
Easy No-Bake Chow Mein Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup Butterscotch Chips
- ½ cup Peanut Butter, creamy or crunchy, Don't use the natural kind
- 2 cups Chow Mein Noodles
Optional:
- Sprinkles, decorettes, or jimmies for decoration
Instructions
- Place butterscotch chips and peanut butter in a large, microwave safe bowl.
- Heat in the microwave, using 30-second intervals and stirring between each, for approximately 2 minutes.
- Use potholder to remove from microwave and mix ingredients with a large spoon until combined.
- Add the chow mein noodles and mix well. It's okay to break up some of the chow mein noodles.
- Drop by the spoonful onto a wax paper or parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
- Optional: Add sprinkles or other decorations to tops of cookies while they're still hot. Press down gently so the decorations set with the cookies.
- Place in refrigerator to cool until the cookies are set.
- This recipe makes 10 to 20 cookies based on the size of your spoonfuls.
- These cookies keep longer in the refrigerator but can be kept at room temperature.
More Christmas Recipes
If you’re anything like me, there’s always room for one more Christmas cookie on the dessert tray!
Here are a few more holiday recipes and treats to try:
- 17 Best Christmas Cookie Recipes For Your Holiday Season
- 6 Best, Fun Size, Easy to Make Desserts For the Holidays!
- 17 Best Christmas Dessert Recipes To Sweeten Up Your Holidays
And if you make these chow mein cookies, I’d love to hear what you think! Message me on Facebook or Instagram and tell me whether your family made these old-fashioned haystack cookies growing up, too!
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