Vegan No-Bake Butterscotch Haystack Cookies
These easy no-bake treats combine melted butterscotch chips and peanut butter with crunchy chow mein noodles and salted peanuts to create delightfully textured clusters that resemble miniature haystacks. Perfect for quick desserts, bake sales, or when you need a sweet treat without turning on the oven. The combination of smooth butterscotch, creamy peanut butter, and crispy noodles creates an irresistible contrast of flavors and textures that both kids and adults will love.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butterscotch chipswhite chocolate chips1:1dairy-free
Different flavor profile
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ½ cup salted peanutschopped almonds1:1nutpeanuts-freeadds tree_nuts
Tree nut option
- 2 cups chow mein noodlespretzel sticks broken into pieces1:1
Different crunch texture
Instructions
- 1
Add butterscotch chips and peanut butter to a large microwave safe bowl
- 2
Heat for 45-60 seconds at a time, stirring between each interval until smooth and melted
- 3
Stir in chow mein noodles and peanuts until well coated
- 4
Drop spoonfuls of mixture onto parchment lined baking sheet to form haystack shapes
- 5
Allow to cool and harden completely before removing from parchment
Tips
Stir gently when combining noodles to avoid breaking them into small pieces
Work quickly once mixture is melted as it will begin to set as it cools
Use a cookie scoop for uniform haystack sizes and professional appearance
Good to Know
Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week
Can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored covered
Serve at room temperature for best texture
Common Mistakes
Overheat butterscotch mixture to avoid seizing and grittiness
Add noodles while mixture is too hot to prevent them from getting soggy
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Nut-Free Alternatives
Tree nut option
General Alternatives
Different crunch texture
FAQ
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?
Yes, crunchy peanut butter works well and adds extra texture, though the clusters may be slightly less uniform in appearance.
How long do these need to set before eating?
Allow at least 30 minutes for the butterscotch mixture to cool and harden completely before handling or storing.
Can I freeze these haystack cookies?
Yes, they freeze well for up to 3 months in an airtight container with parchment between layers.