Chocolate Haystacks

Chocolate Haystacks are no bake treats made with peanuts, chow mein noodles, and potato chips coated with melted chocolate almond bark. It’s a sweet and salty treat that would be a delicious addition to your Christmas Dessert Charcuterie Board and your list of Christmas Cookies! For a festive touch, add some colorful sprinkles. 

What Are Haystacks?

Haystacks are a no-bake treat made by combining crunchy ingredients like chow mein noodles, peanuts, and other ingredients with melted chocolate. The clusters are shaped and left to set, resembling small piles of hay, or haystacks! They are popular for their simplicity, requiring no baking and allowing easy customization with different ingredients.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Peanuts: I prefer salted peanuts for this sweet and salty treat, but you could certainly use unsalted.

Noodles: Chow mein noodles are a key part of this recipe, and sometimes, the treats are called chow mein noodle cookies. Chow mein translates to ‘fried noodles’; they are thin and crispy noodles.

Potato Chips: Ripple potato chips add more crunch and saltiness to the haystacks. You could use your favorite kind of chips for this treat.

Chocolate Almond Bark: Chocolate Almond Bark is a popular candy coating for fruits, nuts, and crackers. Despite the name, it doesn’t contain any nuts; it is named for its common use in covering nuts. Melt the chocolate almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl, according to package instructions. You could substitute the same amount of regular melted chocolate if preferred. Make sure it is tempered correctly for a smooth texture.

Sprinkles: Add some colorful sprinkles to add some pizazz to each haystack!

Chocolate Haystacks Variations

Haystacks are fun treats to customize and make with your favorite ingredients. Here are some ideas to explore different flavors and textures:

Try different nuts like chopped almonds, pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts. Or, try a mix of nuts!Add shredded coconut for a tropical twist.Mix in dried fruits like cranberries or raisins.Introduce crushed pretzels to the mix.Mini marshmallows and crushed graham crackers would give a S’mores vibe!

How To Store Chocolate Haystacks