Haystack cookies are a favorite no bake cookie that’s made with chow mein noodles.

There’s two popular flavors – butterscotch haystacks or chocolate haystacks and we’ll teach you how to make both haystacks recipes!

butterscotch haystack cookies and chocolate haystack cookies arranged on brown parchment paper

Haystack candy is one of those Christmas cookies that keeps evolving. And depending on where you grew up, there’s different ways to make them so you’re probably used to a certain type of haystack. 

There are so many variations to haystack cookies which means there isn’t a “right” way to make them. We’re sharing two baseline haystack recipes today. It’s a great starting place for making haystacks exactly how you like them!

One recipe is a butterscotch and peanut butter base and the other is a butterscotch and chocolate base.

What Are Haystack Cookies

Haystack Cookies are a no bake cookie that’s made using crunchy chow mein noodles, a variety of chocolate chips (butterscotch morsels, semi-sweet chocolate chips, or white chocolate chips), and peanut butter.

Sometimes people add in cocktail peanuts, crunchy peanut butter, mini marshmallows, other nuts, or festive sprinkles. Lots of people call these chow mein cookies!

No bake haystack cookies are a huge hit every holiday season. They are made with simple ingredients and are the perfect addition to any cookie plate!

For more no bake recipes, try Peanut Butter Balls, Church Window Cookies, and Turtle Bark.

Ingredients

For the full recipe scroll down to the recipe card.

  • butterscotch chips
  • semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • creamy peanut butter
  • chow mein noodles
haystack cookies arranged in green christmas cookie tin

How To Make Haystack Cookies

BUTTERSCOTCH HAYSTACK Cookies

Baking sheet. Line 2 baking sheets with silicone mats, parchment paper or wax paper. 

Melt. Place the butterscotch chips and peanut butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute on 50% power. Stir. Repeat, microwave for 1 minute on 50%, stir. If not completely melted, microwave for 30-45 seconds on 50% power. Stir until smooth.

Stir. Gradually add the crunchy noodles to the melted chocolate, mixing well to coat them. 

Scoop. Use a cookie scoop (I used a large #20 cookie scoop also 3.5”) to quickly scoop mounds of noodles onto the prepared baking sheet. Allow the haystacks to harden completely at room temperature, about 1-2 hours before removing from the tray. Store in an airtight container

CHOCOLATE HAYSTACK Cookies

Baking sheet. Line 2 baking sheets with silicone mats, parchment paper or wax paper. 

Melt. Place the butterscotch chips and chocolate chips in a large bowl. Microwave for 1 minute on 50% power. Stir. Repeat, microwave for 1 minute on 50%, stir. If not completely melted, microwave for 30-45 seconds on 50% power. Stir until smooth.

Stir. Gradually add the crunchy noodles to the melted chocolate, mixing well to coat them. 

Scoop. Use a cookie scoop (I used a large #20 cookie scoop also 3.5”) to quickly scoop mounds of noodles onto the prepared baking sheet. Allow the haystacks to harden completely at room temperature, about 1-2 hours before removing from the tray. Store in an airtight container. 

chocolate haystack cookies on white parchment paper

Time Required

  • 3 minutes to melt the chocolate
  • 2 minutes to mix in the chow mein noodles
  • 5 minutes to scoop haystacks onto baking sheet
  • 1-2 hours to harden and set

How To Melt Chocolate in the Microwave

Use a microwave safe bowl – I like to use a medium sized glass bowl.

Microwave on 50% power to ensure that the chocolate doesn’t scorch.

Stir the chocolate after each minute to ensure the chocolate doesn’t scorch.

Do not over microwave. It’s best to stop microwaving when some of the chocolate chips still have their shape. Stirring the mixture together will help melt the remaining chips. 

butterscotch haystack cookies on white parchment paper

Haystack Variations

Feel free to add 1/2 cup of your favorite add-in to our haystack cookie recipe. 

Marshmallows. Fold in mini marshmallows.

Nuts. Add chopped nuts, such as walnuts, almond, pecans or cashews.

Sprinkles. For the Christmas season, top these with holiday sprinkles.

Pretzels. Fold in chopped pretzels for a sweet & salty treat.

White chocolate chips. Use white chocolate chips in place of the semi-sweet chocolate chips for a creamy, white version.

Mint. Add mint extract for an extra minty treat.

butterscotch haystack cookies and chocolate haystack cookies arranged on brown parchment paper

Tips for Success

Wipe your bowls clean before melting the chocolate in the microwave. Water will cause melted chocolate to seize.

Use a cookie scoop or spoon to scoop the melted chocolate mixture onto the baking sheet.

Be sure to scoop the chow mein noodle cookies onto a lined baking sheet for easy removal. Line the baking sheet with a silicone mat, parchment paper or wax paper.

To speed up the setting process, you can place the baking sheets in your garage if you live somewhere cold.

FAQs

Do haystacks need to be refrigerated?

No. They can be stored in an airtight container on the counter. https://amzn.to/3gI0xs0 However, if you live somewhere warm, I recommend storing them in the fridge or in a dry, dark spot.

How to Store and Freeze

How To Store These little haystacks can be stored in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 weeks.
How To Freeze – You can also freeze your haystack cookies for up to 3 months. Place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

butterscotch haystack cookies and chocolate haystack cookies arranged on brown parchment paper

More Christmas Treats

Haystack Cookies

4.02 from 61 ratings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 30 cookies
Haystack cookies are a favorite no bake cookie that's made with chow mein noodles. There's two popular flavors – butterscotch haystacks or chocolate haystacks and we'll teach you how to make both haystacks recipes!

Ingredients

Butterscotch Haystacks

  • 11 oz butterscotch chips
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 12 oz chow mein noodles

Chocolate Haystacks

  • 11 oz butterscotch chips
  • 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 12 oz chow mein noodles

Instructions
 

Butterscotch Haystacks

  • Line 2 baking sheets with silicone mats, parchment paper or wax paper. 
  • Place the butterscotch chips and peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute on 50% power. Stir. Repeat, microwave for 1 minute on 50%, stir. If not completely melted, microwave for 30-45 seconds on 50% power. Stir until smooth. Gradually add the noodles to the chocolate, mixing well to coat them. 
  • Use a cookie scoop (I used a large #20 cookie scoop also 3.5”) to quickly scoop mounds of noodles onto the silicone mat. Allow the haystacks to harden completely, about 1-2 hours before removing from the tray. Store in an airtight container. 

Chocolate Haystacks

  • Line 2 baking sheets with silicone mats, parchment paper or wax paper. 
  • Place the butterscotch chips and chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute on 50% power. Stir. Repeat, microwave for 1 minute on 50%, stir. If not completely melted, microwave for 30-45 seconds on 50% power. Stir until smooth. Gradually add the noodles to the chocolate, mixing well to coat them. 
  • Use a cookie scoop (I used a large #20 cookie scoop also 3.5”) to quickly scoop mounds of noodles onto the silicone mat. Allow the haystacks to harden completely, about 1-2 hours before removing from the tray. Store in an airtight container. 

Notes

Haystack Variations
Feel free to add 1/2 cup of your favorite add-in to our haystack cookie recipe. 
Marshmallows. Fold in mini marshmallows.
Nuts. Add chopped nuts, such as walnuts, almond, pecans or cashews.
Sprinkles. For the Christmas season, top these with holiday sprinkles.
Pretzels. Fold in chopped pretzels for a sweet & salty treat.
White chocolate chips. Use white chocolate chips in place of the semi-sweet chocolate chips for a creamy, white version.
Mint. Add mint extract for an extra minty treat.
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert
Author: Beth
Calories: 265kcal, Carbohydrates: 41g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 2mg, Sodium: 263mg, Potassium: 107mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 21g, Vitamin A: 25IU, Calcium: 10mg, Iron: 1mg
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