Whether you’re putting together Easter dessert platters or just need a quick, cute snack for a school party, these chow mein noodle nests are a total lifesaver. We’ve packed them with creamy peanut butter, butterscotch, and everyone’s favorite Easter candy (hello, Peeps and jelly beans!). Best of all? You don’t even have to turn on the oven.
While these technically aren't a baked good, most chow mein birds nests recipes refer to them as cookies—and honestly, we’re here for it! Whether you call them treats or Bird's Nest Cookies, they’re sweet, crunchy, and just plain fun to eat. Plus, their cute round shape makes them the perfect festive addition to any Easter dessert spread!
These birds nest cookies are so colorful and fun to make with the kids! Just like our Buttercream Eggs and Mini Egg Cookie Bars, they add a major pop of color and charm to any Easter basket or place setting.
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🥘Ingredients
- Chow mein noodles- there are a lot of different sizes available in stores these days, but stick with the tiny La Choy cannister-type variety.
- Semisweet chocolate chips- you can also use milk chocolate baking chips or melting wafers
- Butterscotch morsels- these are sweet and pair so well with chocolate and peanut butter
- Smooth peanut butter- just a smidge is needed for flavor and to make the melted morsels smoother
- Decor of your choice- you can't go wrong with a variety of small, colorful jelly beans (the smaller the better). Another good choice is Cadbury Mini Eggs or pastel M&M'S. And don't forget the marshmallow chicks!
🔪Instructions
- Step 1: Microwave the chocolate, butterscotch chips and peanut butter in 30 second intervals until almost smooth. Then stir to make it clump free.
- Step 2: Add the chow mein noodles to the bowl. Use a rubber spatula to fully coat them with the melted mixture.
- Step 3: Working quickly and using a greased scoop, place clusters into greased muffin pan. Make an indentation and fill with jelly beans.
- Step 4: Immediately top with a marshmallow chick and allow to set.
Hint: Canola oil spray is your friend with this recipe. Use it to grease your measuring spoon for the peanut butter, the scoop you use to grab and form nest clusters, and for the muffin tin. You'll thank me later.
📖Variations
With pretzels: Use pretzel sticks instead of chow mein noodles. This is a healthier option that's much lower in saturated fat.
🍽Equipment
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoon
- Large, microwave-safe bowl
- Rubber spatula
- Mixing spoon
- Large cookie scoop or ice cream scoop
- 12-count standard size muffin pan (my preferred choice to form the nests)
- Parchment paper (especially handy if not using muffin tin)
🍶Storage
Store birds nest cookies in an airtight container and keep refrigerated. Enjoy within 5-7 days.
I like to take the birds nests out of the fridge about 5 minutes before serving so the candy can soften a little.
You can also freeze these (without candy) in freezer safe packaging. Wrap birds nests individually in wax paper and then place several in a freezer bag. Defrost overnight in the fridge.
💭Top tip
You need to be a bit of a kitchen ninja with this recipe. Have your decorating station ready to go before you start and work fast! Melted chocolate starts solidifying the second it comes out of the microwave. Be prepared for that, and get your nest clusters into the prepared muffin tin and decorated without delay.
🥄Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
🍴Pairing
These are my favorite sweets to serve with Birds Nest Cookies:
📋Recipe with step-by-step instructions
Birds Nest Cookies
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Ingredients
- 5 oz. can chow mein noodles La Choy style, tiny size
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips can use milk chocolate instead
- 1 cup butterscotch baking morsels
- 2 tablespoon peanut butter smooth preferred
- ½ cup jelly beans
- 12 marshmallow chicks
Instructions
- Prepare your workspace by laying out a large sheet of parchment paper. Have your jelly beans and marshmallow chicks within reach and ready to go.
- In a large mixing bowl, microwave the chocolate, butterscotch chips and peanut butter in 30 second intervals at 50 % power until almost smooth. Then stir to make it clump free.
- Add the chow mein noodles to the bowl. Use a rubber spatula to fully coat them with the melted mixture.
- Working quickly and using a greased scoop, place clusters into greased muffin tins. Form a little indentation by placing the scoop gently down in the center. Then immediately fill with jelly beans and top with a marshmallow chick so they stick.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours for best results.
- Store assembled leftovers in an airtight container and keep refrigerated. Enjoy within 5-7 days.
- You can also freeze these up to 1 month (without candy) in freezer safe packaging. Wrap birds nests individually in wax paper and then place several in a freezer bag. Defrost overnight in the fridge. (Please note: If choosing this option, you will not be able to make the candies stick).
Notes
- Have your decorating station ready to go before you begin and work fast! Melted chocolate starts solidifying the second it comes out of the microwave. Be prepared for that, and get your nest clusters into the prepared muffin tin and decorated without delay.
- Canola oil spray is your friend with this recipe. Use it to grease your measuring spoon for the peanut butter, the scoop you use to grab and form nest clusters, and for the muffin tin. You'll thank me later.
- Gently press the marshmallow chicks on top so that they stick.
Kylie M. says
What a cute recipe! Looking forward to making it with my daughter next year!
Kitchen Ready Betty says
That's great to hear! Kids really enjoy helping to make these!