Butterscotch Haystacks Recipe - These no bake cookies filled with crunchy noodles, peanuts, butterscotch and peanut butter morsels, only minutes to make. Topped with a pinch of salt these bites become the perfect salty-sweet treat!
Next time try Butterscotch Pudding Dessert - an easy recipe, if you're a butterscotch lover, you need to try this!
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Why you'll love this recipe
A few years back Mom shared her Chocolate Covered Cashews Recipe and let me tell you, they have been super popular ever since!
Ahem.... especially with my husband.
Mom knows the key to his heart goes right through his sweet tooth and somehow those rich treats show up every time we're visiting.
Dan knows he's loved!!
Because he's got such a sweet tooth, I had a (foodie!) brainstorm and thought hmm.... What if I take Mom's recipe, switch out the flavors and make haystacks?
TOTAL winner! Easy to make and completely delicious these treats are perfect to satisfy a sweet tooth and also fantastic for a cookie exchange!
Ingredients
For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- butterscotch and peanut butter morsels - using the chips makes this recipe so quick and easy to make!
- crunchy chow mein noodles - the crispy noodles add a ton of crunch!
- peanuts - dry roasted, lightly salted nuts
- canola oil - helps the chips easily melt so the coating is smooth and silky.
- parchment or wax paper - to drop the cookies on. Makes for easy clean-up!
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Use a non-stick pan over medium-low heat.
- In a medium saucepan, place butterscotch chips and peanut butter chips with the canola oil.
- Stir often until the candies are melted.
- Stir in the salty peanuts and chow mein noodles.
- Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Drop mixture by small spoonfuls onto prepared tray.
- Top with a pinch of sea salt (optional).
- Refrigerate until firm.
FAQ's
Everything you need to know to make Haystacks!
Haystacks are made with simple ingredients - butterscotch and peanut butter morsels, chow mein noodles and peanuts. No noodles? Use crushed pretzels or Wheat Chex cereal!
Butterscotch, peanut butter, even chocolate chips are made with stabilizers. They hold their shape until they are stirred. When you're melting the chips continue to stir them until it's smooth and silky.
Double boilers use the steam from the hot water in the bottom pot to heat the top pot. Be sure the boiling water doesn't touch the pot on top or it will scorch the candy!
As mentioned above, the chips melt from the inside out. Continue stirring the entire time you're melting the chips. This will allow them to get smooth and silky and avoid scorching.
Butterscotch will seize when a small amount of moisture has gotten in the mixture. Adding hot liquid back into the mixture will return it to a fluid state. Read more about fixing it here.
Having said this - I've tried this method and was not successful. Perhaps I wasn't patient enough?
Storage
Store butterscotch haystacks in an airtight container. They will keep for several days. You can refrigerate them for up to a week, but they are super hard and crunchy. I prefer to keep them on the countertop at room temperature.
They can be frozen up to three months. These are great make-ahead treats for the holidays or a cookie exchange.
Things to know
- If you'd prefer you can microwave morsels at 30 second intervals to melt the chips. Be sure to stir even 30 second break.
- Substitute semi sweet chocolate chips for the butterscotch and you'll have yummy chocolate haystacks!
- Like the Christmas Hugs, they are fun additions for your cookie exchange, so be sure to make a double-batch!
Storage
Refrigerate - Allow the treats to cool completely. Place in sealed container. These will last a week refrigerated.
Freezer - Place in an airtight container and freeze up to two months.
Variations
- Swap out the chow mein noodles for pretzels or corn flakes.
- Replace the peanut butter or butterscotch morsels with white chocolate!
- Change it up and add mini marshmallows or coconut flakes.
- Sprinkles can make them festive for any occasion!
More No Bake Desserts
- This No Bake Lemon Ice Box Pie is the perfect summer dessert when you a no bake recipe so you don't have to worry about heating up the house.
- White Chocolate Covered Strawberries - perfect for a special occasion or date night. This easy recipe is delicious!
- No-Bake Oreo Balls - with only three ingredients, these are a real trip and come together in a snap!
- This No Bake Pumpkin Pie is an easy dessert to make when craving all the fall flavors but don't want to turn on the oven.
- Chocolate Covered Cashews are always a popular treat!
- Philadelphia No Bake Cheesecake - rich and indulgent, this is an easy recipe and a crowd-pleaser!
Related recipes
- Homemade Buckeyes is another simple recipe no-bake treat! Peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate, what's not to love? Here are more of my favorite sweet treats!
- Ritz Cracker Cookies are always a great choice. It's such an easy recipe!
- If you're looking for a teachers gift, these are pretty (and delicious!) Chocolate Dipped Spoons are easy to make and look so fancy! Pick up inexpensive spoons or use a plastic spoon and fill them with chocolate. Wrap individually - they are a great gift!
- This easy homemade strawberry fudge recipe is rich and decadent. It only takes 3 ingredients and 10 minutes to make!
- This no-bake White Chocolate Dipped Oreos are so simple and the perfect combination for a pretty sweet treat!
Butterscotch Haystacks Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 oz. can chow mein noodles crunchy dried noodles
- 1 cup peanuts salted
- 11 oz. bag butterscotch chips
- 10 oz. bag peanut butter chips
- 1 tablespoon canola oil can substitute corn or olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt optional
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Instructions
- Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Use a non-stick pan over medium-low heat. Add the butterscotch, peanut butter chips and canola oil to the pan. Stir often until the candies are melted and the mixture is smooth and silky - about five minutes.
- Stir in the peanuts and carefully fold in the chow mein noodles.
- Drop by small spoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet. Smaller treats are better than big ones, they are super rich!
- If you're adding the salt, sprinkle now while they are still sticky.*
- Refrigerate until firm. Package into small ziplock bags and refrigerate until you're ready to enjoy them.
Notes
- You can substitute 2 cups crushed pretzels or corn flakes for the chow mein noodles.
- These freeze great! Package them individually and freeze for up to a month.
Variations for this treat!
- Swap out the chow mein noodles for pretzels or cornflakes.
- Replace the peanut butter or butterscotch morsels with white chocolate or dark chocolate chips!
- Change it up and add mini marshmallows or coconut flakes.
- Sprinkles can make them festive for any occasion!
ColleenB.~TX.
I remember my mom always making these, but as I got older, out on my own and married I switched the chow mein noodles for Rice Krispies and I also made these in chocolate as well
Billie Patrick
I love love your recipes, I have tried and ENJOYED almost every one of them. So many family favs now. Please keep up the great work
Bowl Me Over
Thank you so much Billie!! I appreciate you being a part of the blog!!
Erin Parker
THESE ARE MY FAVORITE! Seriously--such a lovely and tasty addition to the cookie tray this holiday season. Thank you for introducing them to me!
Jennifer Ann Stewart
I made these for the neighborhood boys that love to hang out at my house and am always asked to make more:)
Bowl Me Over
That's the biggest compliment ever, thanks for sharing! 🙂
liza
This recipe is pure genius! It's SO easy to make! And it'll look and taste so good I am sure! Thank you!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Liza!
Debi
My mom makes these every year. They are so good and so easy! Awesome that you shared the recipe!
Michelle
If you're looking for an easy cookie recipe, this is it! Love this recipe!
Kathleen
Yum, Yum, YUM! Reminded me of my childhood, love these!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Kathleen!
Julie Menghini
I love simple recipes that are delicious which make this one perfect for my cookie exchange party this year!
Bowl Me Over
Yes!! I hope everyone enjoys them!