This Chocolate Chow Mein Noodle Cookies No Bake Recipe is a crunchy, chocolatey sweet blend that is perfect for munching! Whip up a batch for your next party or gift these chocolate haystacks to friends and neighbors for a delicious treat. The perfect no-bake dessert that is gluten-free.
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When it comes to chocolate treats, simple is best. What’s easier to make than something that only requires three ingredients?
These chocolate haystack cookies are a crunchy blend of chocolate and butterscotch flavors that create the best taste. They’re bite-size, little gluten-free stacks that make wonderful gifts or are just something easy to bring with you to a party.
They whip up in just minutes and then set and firm up on the counter while you get ready.
Keep in mind that while they have only 3 ingredients, there are a lot of ways to make them unique each time you whip them up. From flavor swaps to extra toppings, these clusters are delicious with any combination!
Jump to:
- Why I Love These Chocolate Chow Mein Haystacks
- What Are The Origins Of Chocolate Chow Mein Cookies?
- Ingredients in These Haystacks?
- Substitutions For Chow Mein Cookies
- Variations on Chow Mein Noodle Cookies
- How To Make Chow Mein Noodle Haystacks
- How To Store Them
- Pro Tips
- Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
- Related
- Chocolate Chow Mein Noodle Cookies No Bake Recipe (GF)
- Pairing
So, grab your ingredients and get ready to enjoy the perfect balance of maximum crunch and rich, butterscotch-like chocolate flavor.
If you are looking for other holiday candies or treats, check out my White Chocolate Peppermint Bark, Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls, Epic Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispies, or Cranberry Bliss Bars!
Why I Love These Chocolate Chow Mein Haystacks
- Kid-friendly - an easy treat that is a huge hit with kids and looks like chocolate spiders!
- Easy recipe - 3 simple ingredients that most cooks will have in their house
- Can be festive - you can top any ingredient onto this haystacks recipe such as Christmas-colored sprinkles
- No oven - the best part! These are a no-bake treat
- Family favorite - I have been making these treats since my grown children were small kids, almost 28 years!
What Are The Origins Of Chocolate Chow Mein Cookies?
These no-bake cookies are often attributed to mid-20th-century American home cooking, gaining popularity in the 1950s or 1960s. The recipe seems to have become a favorite for its simplicity, quick preparation, and the sweet-savory combination that many people find appealing. The common name of the cookie is haystacks. The use of chow mein noodles in a dessert may have been inspired by a desire for a crunchy texture and a unique twist on traditional no-bake cookies.
These haystack cookies have become a classic treat, especially popular during the holiday season. Over the years, variations of the recipe have emerged, with some people adding different ingredients like coconut, nuts, or dried fruits to customize the flavor. It has been suggested that these cookies likely developed in home kitchens and were shared among friends and communities, contributing to their widespread popularity.
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Ingredients in These Haystacks?
See the recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions For Chow Mein Cookies
- White chocolate chips - in place of the semisweet chocolate chips to create a richer and indulgent feel to the haystacks.
- Dark chocolate chips - in place of the semisweet chocolate chips for dark chocolate lovers.
- Gluten-free - if you are eating gluten, you can easily substitute non-gluten-free crunchy chow mein noodles in this recipe.
Variations on Chow Mein Noodle Cookies
There are so many ways to make these chocolate haystacks unique!
- Caramel chips - in place of butterscotch, you can use caramel chips for an almost candy bar kind of flavor.
- Peanut butter - use peanut butter chips or creamy peanut butter instead of the butterscotch for a classic flavor swap.
- Toppings - if you want to jazz up the look of the chocolate haystacks, you could sprinkle them with crushed candy canes, mini marshmallows, toffee bits, coconut flakes, crushed peanuts, flaky sea salt, or holiday sprinkles for the occasion. I have even seen small candy easter eggs nestled into the center of the haystack. They are adorable!
- Change the crunch: the chow mein noodles are what give the recipe its maximum crunch factor. However, large chunked toasted coconut, salted peanuts, or pretzels are another delicious option to swap in when you want a change!
- Drizzle - if you feel like going the extra mile on the haystacks, you can melt down some white chocolate in the microwave and drizzle it on top of the haystacks.
- Peppermint - add ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract to the melted semisweet chocolate chips and/or top the haystacks with crushed candy canes.
How To Make Chow Mein Noodle Haystacks
Step 1: Place the chocolate and butterscotch chips in a large microwave-safe bowl. Using 30-second intervals, and stirring in between until smooth, microwave until melted and combined.
Step 2: Mix in the chow mein noodles (I use gluten-free noodles) until coated.
Step 3: Scoop out the mixture in roughly tablespoon-sized scoops and place it on a lined cookie sheet fitted with parchment paper or wax paper.
Step 4: Top them with flaky sea salt, if desired, or a topping of your choice. Let them sit on the counter for 45 minutes to cool and set.
How To Store Them
The chocolate haystacks can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to one week.
If you place them into the fridge, the haystacks will last about four weeks and still have the crunchy texture you love.
Pro Tips
To portion the chocolate haystacks, I find it helps to grease the spoon you’re portioning them with. This way they drop nicely and have the appearance of a shape.
If you want to gift these chocolate clusters, drop them into muffin cups when you portion them. Then arrange the muffin cups in a little tin, wrap them up with a bow, and gift them to friends and neighbors.
Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
Typically, chocolate haystacks are made of chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and chow mein noodles. However, there are lots of different flavor combinations that you can use.
With no-bake chocolate haystacks, you can store them on the counter so long as you only melt down chocolate and don’t add oil or butter. If made this way, the haystacks won’t melt at room temperature and are fine to be stored on the counter.
If you are looking for a sweet treat that comes together fast then this Chocolate Chow Mein Noodle Cookies No Bake Recipe are the best! This time of year it is a regular family recipe on repeat!
Lastly, if you make this recipe be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating.
Above all, I love to hear from you and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram. I really enjoy looking through the photos of recipes you all have made!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
- Dark Chocolate Nut Clusters Recipe
- Simple Dark Chocolate Covered Cherries
- Easy Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroon Recipe
- Chocolate Matzo Toffee Recipe For Passover (GF)
- Easy Chocolate Chunk Pecan Cookie Brownie Bar Recipe
- Banana Bread With Chocolate Chips Recipe
Chocolate Chow Mein Noodle Cookies No Bake Recipe (GF)
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 oz semisweet chocolate chips
- 6 oz butterscotch chips
- 7 oz gluten-free chow mein noodles
Instructions
- Prepare a large sheet pan with parchment or wax paper.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and the butterscotch chips.
- Melt on high using 30 second intervals and stirring in between until combined.
- Add the chow mein noodles and fold into the melted chocolate mix.
- Using a tablespoon, drop a spoon-sized amount of batter onto the sheet pan.
- Let sit on the counter for 45 minutes. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
- flaky sea salt
- crushed candy canes
- toffee bits
- mini marshmallows
- mini easter eggs
- coconut flakes
- sprinkles
- crushed peanuts, etc
Nutrition
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:
Anonymous
Yum!