Haystacks are no-bake cookies made from crunchy chow mein noodles covered in a coating with a peanut butter base and your favorite chocolate chips. They’re easy to make, with only five simple ingredients, and take hardly any time at all! Make a batch of Haystack Cookies for your next cookie exchange or party this holiday season!
When my winter days get crazy (and let me tell you, they get crazy!), I especially appreciate a good no-bake recipe. I can whip up a batch of these delightfully crunchy cookies in just a few minutes, and they are great to nibble on all season long.
Welcome to 2025’s 12 Days of Cookies! These Chocolate Haystacks are Day 4 of our 12 Days of Cookies! Be sure to check out all of the other days for more goodies!
Day 1 – Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Day 2 – Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Day 3 – Chai Biscotti Day 4 – You’re on it! Day 5 – Day 6 – Day 7 – Day 8 – Day 9 – Day 10 – Day 11 – Day 12 –
SAVE THIS HAYSTACKS RECIPE TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!
Haystacks are a no-bake treat that is perfect for your kids’ holiday parties, to fill out your cookie trays, or just to keep in the fridge for an afternoon snack. Add some festive sprinkles for an extra-fun touch!
Ingredients for Haystack Cookies
You only need five ingredients for these sweet treats:
Creamy peanut butter
Semisweet chocolate chips
Salted peanuts
Chow mein noodles
Maldon salt for sprinkling (if desired)
Check out the printable recipe card at the end of the post for a detailed list of ingredients and amounts!
How to Make Haystacks
These no bake haystack cookies get their name from the Chow Mein noodles. When they are all stacked up together, it makes a cookie that looks like a messy haystack! Enrobing the peanuts in chocolate and peanut butter just makes them that much better! Here’s the easy recipe for this sweet treat:
First, prepare a baking sheet by lining it with a sheet of parchment paper.
Add the peanut butter and chocolate chips to a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HALF power (50%) for about 4 minutes, being sure to stir after each minute of cooking. You could also use the double boiler method.
Once the melted chocolate mixture is completely smooth and liquidy, add the chow mein noodles and peanuts. Stir to coat completely.
Use a spoon or cookie scoop to drop about a tablespoon of the mixture onto the lined baking sheet. After dropping them onto the baking sheet, you can shape them into little “haystacks” using the tips of your fingers if you’d like. Then sprinkle a little bit of the Maldon salt on top of each one. If you are decorating, add Christmas colored nonpareils to each one.
Let the haystacks sit at room temperature for at least 2 hours to harden and cool completely, then transfer to your cookie plate to serve.
FAQs
How do I store Haystacks?
You can store these in an airtight container at room temperature. However, I like to keep mine refrigerated, especially if you live somewhere warm. They will last up to 2 weeks!
Can I freeze Chocolate Haystacks?
Yes. Once they harden, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. These keep in the freezer for about 2 months. I recommend using wax paper in between cookie layers to keep them from sticking to each other.
What other variations of this Haystack cookie recipe can I make?
There are lots of variations of this cookie recipe, as people like to make them in different ways. These are ones I’ve tried:
Make these with white chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips instead.
Omit the peanuts if desired.
Use peanut butter and butterscotch chips for a different flavor profile!
Add coconut flakes or mini marshmallows if you want.
Easy No-Bake Recipes
These No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies are a quick and easy treat you can make when you’re in a pinch! With only six simple ingredients and a hands-on prep time of less than 10 minutes, this no-bake cookie recipe will easily become one of your favorites!
No-Bake Chocolate Bourbon Balls – these are a festive holiday treat that you won’t have to turn the oven on to make. Cocoa powder and bourbon are a great combination that all adults can enjoy any time of year!
This No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie is the perfect dessert for peanut butter and chocolate lovers. An Oreo crust, fluffy peanut butter filling, fresh whipped cream, and the perfect toppings make this treat a great choice for company or family game night!
These No-Bake Rice Krispies Granola Bars are a perfect bite for breakfast on the go. Soft, crunchy, and slightly sweet, they’re made with Rice Krispies cereal, Simple Truth Orange Blossom Honey, Simple Truth Organic Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, oats, peanut butter, and coconut. Grab one of these homemade granola bars as you’re heading out to work!
No-Bake Pumpkin Nutella Cheesecake – the great seasonal taste of pumpkin with that favorite chocolate hazelnut spread makes this no-bake dessert an easy menu addition for your holiday gathering.
Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for more Christmas Cookies! And pin or print this recipe so you can make Haystacks any time!
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Haystacks
Made with only five simple ingredients, these easy Haystacks are no-bake cookies using crunchy chow mein noodles, peanuts, and are coated with a combination of melted chocolate chips and peanut butter.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Haystacks
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Resting Time 2 hourshours
Total Time 2 hourshours15 minutesminutes
Servings 24cookies
Calories 114kcal
Author Lynne Feifer
Ingredients
½cupcreamy peanut butter
1cupsemi-sweet chocolate chips
½cupsalted peanuts
5ounceschow mein noodlesabout 2 1/2 cups
1tablespoonMaldon salt for sprinklingif desired
Instructions
Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with a sheet of parchment.
In a large microwaveable bowl, mix together the peanut butter and chocolate chips. Microwave at HALF power (50%) for about 4 minutes, being sure to mix after each minute of cooking.
Once the mixture is completely smooth and liquidy, add the chow mein noodles and peanuts, and mix to coat completely.
Use a spoon to drop about a tablespoon of the noodle mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. After dropping them onto the baking sheet, you can shape them into "haystacks" using the tips of your fingers if you'd like. Then sprinkle a little bit of the Maldon salt on top of each one. If decorating, add the Christmas colored non-pareils to each one.
Let sit at room temperature for at least 2 hours to harden and cool completely.
