These easy No Bake Chow Mein Noodle Cookies have been a family favorite in my household during Christmastime ever since I was a little girl.
As a matter of fact, out of all the other types of Christmas cookies, these Chow Mein Noodle Cookies (also called Butterscotch Haystacks) are always my absolute favorite.
I don’t know if it’s the crunchy chow mein noodles or the rich butterscotch/peanut butter taste that makes me love them so much.
Whatever it is, they’re just the best!
Easy Chow Mein Noodle Cookies
One of the beauties of this Christmas favorite recipe, besides the fact that they’re delicious, is the fact that they only require 3 ingredients.
Actually, 4 ingredients if you include any decorations you want to sprinkle on top.
Another thing I love is that they don’t even require an oven.
That’s right! This is one of those no bake cookie recipes that you will want to make every year!
What Are Chow Mein Noodle Cookies Made of?
Well, it’s really simple to be honest!
All you need to make chow mein cookies (also called No Bake Haystack Cookies) are:
- Chow Mein Noodles
- Peanut Butter (I prefer crunchy peanut butter but you can use creamy peanut butter too)
- Butterscotch Chips
And if you want to decorate these cookies, you can use:
- Sprinkles
- Nonpareils
- Holiday Noel Mix
- Jimmies
- Sprinklefetti
- Crushed Candy Canes
Amazon has a never ending supply of holiday themed cookie decorations with gingerbread men, snowflakes, pine trees and more!
OR if you’re local, check out the huge candy selection at Gateway Candyland in Thurmont, Maryland.
That’s where I found the red and green snowflake Decorettes.
So fun!
Directions
This chow mein noodle cookies recipe is one of those easy recipes that you can whip up so fast that it’s actually kinda dangerous because I could make them AND eat them every day!
Step 1: Add Butterscotch Chips & Peanut Butter To Large Bowl & Microwave
First, add the butterscotch chips and the peanut butter to a large microwave-safe bowl and microwave for approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
The time will vary based on your microwave, so after 2 minutes, heat in 15 second intervals until your butterscotch or chocolate is melted.
Be careful when you remove the bowl from the microwave because it can get very hot, so use a potholder.
Note: Instead of using the microwave, you can melt your butterscotch chips or chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler on your stove.
Step 2: Mix Until Well Blended
Second, use a large spoon to mix the heated butterscotch chips and peanut butter until thoroughly blended.
Step 3: Add Chow Mein Noodles and Mix Well
Third, add the chow mein noodles and mix again until thoroughly blended.
It’s okay to break up the chow mein noodles a little bit.
Step 4: Drop By Spoonful Onto Cookie Sheet
After this, drop the cookies by the spoonful onto a prepared baking sheet (cookie sheet) lined with wax paper or parchment paper.
Then add your decorations.
Pro Tip: Add your decorations while the cookies are still warm and press down a little bit so they stick to the cookies once they’re cooled.
Once you’ve dropped all of the cookies onto the cookie sheet and/or sheets and decorated them, place them in the refrigerator to cool and set.
How To Store Chow Mein Noodle Cookies
When you first make these cookies, keep them on the baking sheet and refrigerate them so they can set quickly.
After that, you can place them in cookie tins or any other airtight container more easily & quickly.
However, once they’ve been set, it’s okay to store leftovers at room temperature (for about a week) as long as it’s not too hot in your house as they will get soft and might melt somewhat.
Even holding them in your warm hands can get a tad bit messy, but in a good way!
Mmm! There’s really nothing like these butterscotch peanut butter chow mein noodle cookies!
Variations
So, my Momma always made these cookies with butterscotch chips and peanut butter.
However, I’ve also seen other Haystacks recipes made all over the internet, especially Chocolate Haystacks (also called Chocolate Spiders).
Here’s a list of other ingredients you can swap in this recipe:
- Any kind of chocolate:
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- Milk Chocolate Chips
- White Chocolate Chips
- Dark Chocolate Chips
- Mini Marshmallows
- Corn Flakes
- Coconut
- Oatmeal
- Salted Peanuts
Whatever floats your boat and makes you happy, that’s how you should make them!
For me though, making them this traditional way is the way I’ll always make them because they bring me straight back to my childhood.
And I just love that they’re the perfect sweet and salty treat!
And now that I’m a mom, I’m happy to pass this tradition on to MY son, who will always remember that “Mom made these when I was a kid every Christmas”!
Chow Mein Noodle Cookies with Butterscotch & Peanut Butter Recipe
Easy No Bake Chow Mein Noodle 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 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.
What Christmas cookie brings you fondly back to your childhood?
For more delicious Christmas desserts, click on over to:
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
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