White Chocolate Haystacks
Who doesn't love to munch on a sweet and salty crunch? There's a very good reason why several versions of this super simple, no-bake haystack recipe have been around for decades.
White Chocolate Haystacks are my fav though because they're so easy to customize and make a great holiday gift. Consider the melted white chocolate a blank canvas that awaits your decorative touch; then grab your sprinkles, and make these crunchy clusters festive and fun for any holiday or occasion!
Because this white chocolate haystacks recipe is so ridiculously easy (all you need is a microwave, a mixing bowl, and some parchment paper), I make it throughout the year.
My kids always like to help with decorating these (though I'll admit I think it's because they like snarfing the leftover chow mein noodles and peanuts!). These haystacks get decorated red and green for Christmas, pink and red for Valentine's Day, green and gold for St. Patty's Day--I could on and on here, but I think you get the idea.
Because this delightful confection keeps for a long time, I'll sometimes decorate half a batch for one holiday, and then decorate the remaining for the next month's holiday. I place the haystacks in a good storage container (sometimes I even put them in the freezer), and boom chicka boom--I have a quick, make ahead festive treat that's ready to go when I need it!
Why You'll Love It
| Super easy recipe- This simple treat is hassle-free and that's just what we need around the busy holidays! Melt the white chocolate in the microwave, then stir it with the crunchy chow mein noodles and peanuts. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto parchment paper, decorate and you're done! Crowd pleaser and great for gifting- Everybody loves these sweet and crunchy haystacks, making them a great choice for holiday tins and cookie trays. Each tasty bite is so good, they're often the first treat to disappear! Highly customizable recipe- Feel free to decorate these haystacks as you wish! The white chocolate coating makes it so easy for any color to pop and stand out. That's why I prefer this version over the original peanut butter & butterscotch one (but don't get me wrong, those are good too!). This recipe is also a little less sweet, making it more inviting to add a ton of fun sprinkles and festive decor--now please find me someone who doesn't love that! |
Ingredients for Haystacks with White Chocolate
For a full list of ingredients and measurements, see the printable recipe card below
- White chocolate melting wafers or bark- you can also use white chocolate baking chips, but I find it easier to work with wafers or bark because they melt better and are more malleable (plus you don't have to add any shortening)
- 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. Some white chocolate haystack recipes use pretzels instead, but I think chow mein noodles are easier to mix and have an undeniable crunch and flavor that just can't be beat!
- Salted peanuts- your standard cocktail peanut is just fine--no need for Spanish peanuts in this recipe
- Decor of your choice- you can't go wrong with a variety of festive, colorful sprinkles. I also love adding a few mini M&M'S. Did you know that they now have a mini peanut butter version? Those are my preferred for this recipe!
Click here for a list of equipment needed for this recipe.
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Rubber spatula
- Large mixing bowl
- Mixing spoon
- Cookie scoop or tablespoon
- Parchment paper
How to Make White Chocolate Haystacks
For a more detailed set of instructions, see the printable recipe card below.
- Prepare your workspace by laying out a large sheet of parchment paper. Have your decor within reach and ready to go.
- Mix the chow mein noodles and peanuts together in a large bowl.
- Microwave the white chocolate in 30 second intervals until almost smooth. Then stir to make it clump free.
- Immediately transfer the melted white chocolate to the mixing bowl. Use a rubber spatula to fully coat the chow mein noodles and peanuts.
- Working quickly, scoop out clusters and place them on the parchment paper. Decorate right away so sprinkles and candies stick.
- Haystacks with White Chocolate will cool and set rather quickly. In less than one hour, you can store them in airtight containers.
Helpful Tips for this Recipe
- 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 white chocolate starts solidifying the second it comes out of the microwave. Be prepared for that, and get your haystack clusters onto the parchment paper and decorated without delay. That text you'll get while making them can wait, I promise!
- A little hack with this recipe is to put the mixing bowl (assuming it's microwave safe) with all the ingredients in the microwave for about 15-30 seconds halfway through the haystack assembly. It helps to melt the white chocolate ever so slightly again so that everything sticks together better, making the mixture easier to work with during the homestretch.
Storing White Chocolate Haystacks
Store in an airtight container on your countertop. Enjoy within 2-3 weeks.
You can also freeze these in freezer safe packaging. Wrap white chocolate haystacks individually in wax paper and then place several in a freezer bag. Defrost overnight in the fridge or on your counter for a few hours.
What to Serve with this White Chocolate Haystacks Recipe
- In an easy, no-bake treat kind of mood? Serve these sweet and salty haystacks alongside Peanut Clusters, Christmas Bark, Pink Out Pretzels, and Patriotic Chocolate Dipped Strawberries. (All of these recipes can be easily customized for any holiday or occasion.)
- Fill your holiday tins with White Chocolate Haystacks, Christmas Butter Cookies or Valentine Butter Cookies, Peanut Brittle, and Creamy Marshmallow Fudge!
- Take things up a notch with chow mein noodles! For a tasty family casserole, try Chow Mein Beefy Rice Casserole!
White Chocolate Haystacks are one of my fav no bake treats because they're so easy to customize and also make a great gift. Consider the melted white chocolate a blank canvas that awaits your decorative touch; then grab your sprinkles, and make these crunchy chow mein noodle and peanut clusters festive and fun for any holiday or occasion!
- 16 oz. white chocolate bark or melting wafers (can substitute 2 cups white chocolate baking chips)
- 5 oz. can chow mein noodles (La Choy style, tiny size)
- 1 cup salted cocktail peanuts
- decorative sprinkles and little candies (I like festive sprinkles and mini peanut butter M&M'S for this recipe)
Prepare your workspace by laying out a large sheet of parchment paper. Have your sprinkles and candy decor within reach and ready to go.
Mix the chow mein noodles and peanuts gently together in a large bowl.
Microwave the white chocolate in 30 second intervals at 50% power until almost smooth. Then stir to make it clump free.
It's helpful to follow melting instructions on the product's packaging for this step. You don't want to overheat the white chocolate in the microwave or it will dry out.Immediately transfer the melted white chocolate to the mixing bowl. Use a rubber spatula to mix and fully coat the chow mein noodles and peanuts.
Working quickly, scoop out haystack clusters using a cookie scoop or large spoon and place them on the parchment paper. Decorate right away so sprinkles and candies stick.
Haystacks with white chocolate will cool and set rather quickly. In less than one hour, you can store them in airtight containers. Enjoy within 2-3 weeks.
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You can also freeze these in freezer safe packaging. Wrap white chocolate haystacks individually in wax paper and then place several in a freezer bag. Defrost overnight in the fridge or on your counter for a few hours.
- Have your decorating station ready to go before you start and work fast! Melted white chocolate starts solidifying the second it comes out of the microwave. Be prepared for that, and get your haystack clusters onto the parchment paper and decorated without delay.
- A little hack with this recipe is to put the mixing bowl (assuming it's microwave safe) with all the ingredients in the microwave for about 15-30 seconds halfway through the haystack assembly. It helps to melt the white chocolate ever so slightly again so that everything sticks together better, making the mixture easier to work with during the homestretch.
Thank you for checking out this recipe! Enjoy!
~Betty