Name: No-Bake Haystack Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 24
Ingredients: 1 cup butterscotch chips; ½ cup creamy peanut butter; 1 cup miniature marshmallows; 5 ounces chow mein noodles

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Easy No bake Haystack Cookies are ready in under 20 minutes and the perfect recipe for kids to make! A delicious mixture of butterscotch, mini marshmallows, peanut butter and chow mein noodles.

Haystack cookies are super fun and EASY no-bake cookie recipe! They’re a little crunchy sweet, with a hint of salt for that addictive salty-sweet combo.

What I love best is that I don’t have to turn on the oven! It’s an easy microwave cookie recipe that my kids love to help make. This is one of the first recipes I remember making in my parents kitchen when I was growing up all by myself!

These little haystacks are so cute, too, and even better to eat. Butterscotch, peanut butter, and marshmallows – who can resist that combination? We can’t, and I bet you’ll love them, too!

Easy No-Bake Haystacks

You only need four ingredients to make these treats.
They’re ready in about 20 minutes – quick and easy!
They’re made with pantry ingredients that I keep on hand, so it’s easy to make a batch when we’re craving something sweet.
They keep well at room temperature, and you can even freeze them!

This is a classic butterscotch haystack recipe, but there are quite a few ways to switch it up! Be sure to check out all of the ideas at the end of this post.

Overhead image of Haystack Cookies Ingredients

Ingredients You’ll Need

Butterscotch chips
Creamy peanut butter – I don’t recommend natural peanut butter. If you want more crunch you could also use crunchy peanut butter!
Mini marshmallows
Chow mein noodles – These are the crunchy noodles in a can. Look for them near the other Asian cooking ingredients at the store.

Helpful Tools

Recipe Steps

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Combine the butterscotch chips and peanut butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave them for 30 seconds, stir, and then warm them in 30-second intervals until they are completely melted and smooth.

Mixing bowl with peanut butter and butterscotch chips

Mixing bowl with peanut butter and butterscotch chips melted together

Add the chow mein noodles to the butterscotch mixture. Stir until combined and then stir in the marshmallows.

Use a cookie scoop or spoon to scoop and drop the mixture in little mounds on the lined baking sheet.

Leave them at room temperature until they are set. You can also chill them in the fridge or freezer so they set faster.

Storage Tips

If you store the haystack cookies in an airtight container they will keep for up to a week or longer at room temperature. You can also store them in the refrigerator.

You can freeze haystacks, too! If you do, make sure they are fully set and then place them in a freezer-container. For best results, separate them with layers of parchment or wax paper. This will keep them from sticking to each other.

Recipe Variations

This is such an easy recipe to switch up with different mix-ins, so feel free to get creative with your haystacks!

Add some chocolate chips: You can mix them in after you melt the butterscotch chips. Try semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk, or dark chocolate chips.
Make white chocolate haystacks and swap the butterscotch chips for white chocolate chips.
Add more crunch with some crushed pretzels. Mix them in with the chow mein noodles.
Nuts are great, too! Chopped peanuts, pecans, almonds, or walnuts would work great.
Chopped candy or small chocolate candies are a fun add-in, too. Just make sure the pieces are chopped unless you use something like M&Ms or Reese’s Pieces.
Sprinkles! My kiddos love to add some sprinkles on top of each haystack before they set. This is great for holidays, too – red and green to make them Christmas cookies or other fun colors to match!

No Bake Haystack Cookie with bite taken out of it

If you’re looking for an easy dessert recipe to make with your family, you have to try this haystacks cookies recipe! It’ll be a hit – Enjoy!

More No Bake Treats!

Pretzel Hugs are sweet and salty treats made with Hershey Hugs, M&Ms, and pretzels!
Yogurt Bark is sweet and topped with fruit for a colorful healthier snack.
Mermaid Dip is an easy dessert dip made with cream cheese, marshmallow, and sprinkles. Scoop it up with cookies for a fun treat.

Yield: 24 Haystacks