Haystack Cookies Recipe (2 Ways)

These Haystack cookies are as easy as it gets. They’re only 5 ingredients and only take about 5 minutes of your time to make. They’re perfect for a no bake treat to make during the holidays to add to your cookie trays, or to make anytime of year!

These cute crunchy cookies are the easiest “cookies” to make. They’re crunchy pieces coated in a peanut butter, chocolate, and butterscotch mixture that is such a delicious combination! They’re similar flavors to scotcheroos, but even easier to make!

The recipe is however, super customizable and this is just may way to make them. I like to make the cookies with two different flavors, a chocolate and butterscotch base, and a butterscotch and peanut butter base. The cookies always have a Chow Mein noodle base, so sometimes they are called Chow Mein Cookies.

For other no bake flavors, you should try our rice crispy peanut butter balls, ritz cracker cookies, or chocolate nut clusters.

Why make this recipe

• Quick and Easy – These treats are no bake, and only need about 5 minutes of active time, so they’re a perfect treat for any time you need something fast. Easy enough to let the kids help you make them too!
• Customizable – You can customize these no bake treats with different baking chips, or different mix ins.
• Perfect for Gifting – These treats are good enough to share on their own, or for adding to your cookie trays. A few no bake treats also help balance out the baked goodies, to lighten our load.

Ingredients Needed

This is a quick overview of the ingredients you’ll need for this Haystack Cookie Recipe. Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are in the printable recipe card below.  I like to make both versions of the cookies to have a variety of color, so this recipe list includes both, you can of course, make just one version.

• chocolate chips – I like semi sweet, or milk chocolate chips
• butterscotch chips
• peanut butter – I like to use creamy peanut butter, but you could use crunchy peanut butter for extra crunch. Do not use an oily, natural peanut butter.
• chow mein noodles – These are crunchy noodles that you can find in a bag or can in the Asian food aisle, or etchnic food aisle in the grocery store. They are not noodles that need to be cookes.
• sprinkles – add a few sprinkles on top for different holidays or occasions if desired.

Variations and Substitutions

• White Chocolate – Try using white chocolate chips instead of chocolate chips for a lighter orange colored cookie, and a creamier flavor.
• Use Cereal – Instead of chow mein noodles, you can experiment with Cornflakes or Rice Krispie cereal.
• Other Mix ins – Try adding additional add ins to give these extra flavor and texture, add up to 1/2 cup, or remove chow mein cereal to add more. Add in pretzel sticks, peanuts, shredded coconut, mini marshmallows, etc.

How to make Butterscotch Haystack Cookies

Step 3: Scoop out into cookies. Scoop the mixture into 2 Tablespoon portions onto a baking sheet lined with a piece of parchment paper. Top with sprinkles if desired. Let the cookies sit until the chocolate mixture is hardened, for about 2 hours.

Tips and Tricks

• No Water – Make sure your microwave safe bowl is wiped clean and dry. Any water in the bowl will cause the chocolate to seize.
• Microwave Slowly – You don’t want to overheat your chocolate or you could end up with white spots. Microwave the chocolate in short increments, and stir as much as you can after each – they hot chocolate will keep warming the other pieces of chocolate as you stir them together.
• Use a cookie scoop – Use a large cookie scoop to spoon the chow mein mixture onto the lined baking sheet. This will ensure even sized cookies and will keep your hands mostly clean while scooping the treats.
• Make smaller – The recipe as is makes about 16-18 treats, you can make the treats instead smaller portions if you want more of them, cut them to about 1 TBS of the mixture to make about 30 cookies.

Storage Instructions

These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. If your home is especially warm you may want to store them in the fridge where they can be stored for up to 2 weeks.

These No-Bake Haystack Cookies are such a quick and easy treat. Because we don’t use the oven they’re perfect for making up in the summer, or during the holidays when we need to save oven space for other goodies. These crunchy, sweet treats are delicious any time of year!

More Cookie Recipes

• Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies
• Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies
• Cherry Kiss Cookies
• Christmas M&M Cookies
• Coconut Shortbread Cookies