Try these fun No-Bake Birds Nest Cookies for an easy 10-minute Easter dessert. They're sweet and crunchy and require only four ingredients: melted chocolate, butterscotch, crunchy chow mein noodles, and colorful candy eggs.
If you're looking for more Easy Easter Treats, we have tons of ideas. Make a batch of Bunny Chow with Chex Mix or Easter Oreo Bark! They're incredible!
Have some fun and get creative in the kitchen with this easy-to-make Easter treat. Not only are they super cute, but they’re a delicious spring or Easter dessert that the whole family can enjoy. And they're the easiest cookies to make!
It may sound interesting to put chow mein noodles in a sweet recipe, but they add the right amount of salty crunch to this chocolatey dessert.
They will undoubtedly be the hit of your spring party! Sometimes they're called no-bake haystack cookies. Either way, since I was a little girl, I've loved this sweet, salty treat!
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Why We Love This Recipe
- EASY RECIPE. With just four simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch of these bird's nest cookies in about 10 minutes. I love No-Bake Cookies!
- KID-FRIENDLY. This is a great recipe for getting your kids involved and creating a unique Easter treat. They love eating them, too!
- NO OVEN IS REQUIRED! This recipe is just about melting some chocolate and mixing in the ingredients. It's a wonderful no-bake easter dessert!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Only four ingredients are needed to whip up these delicious Chocolate Birds Nests (butterscotch haystacks).
Milk Chocolate Chips: I've tested the recipe several times and found that higher-end chocolate tends to melt better. We recommend using Guittard or Ghirardelli chocolate chips so the chips melt smoothly. You can also use semi-sweet chocolate chips
Butterscotch Chips: These add an excellent complement to the chocolate. You can also use peanut butter chips.
Chow Mein Noodles: Crispy chow mein noodles bring the right amount of crunch to the recipe, so use the crunchy variety found in the Asian food aisle, not the lo mein variety. If you don't have or can't find chow mein noodles, you can substitute pretzel sticks, gluten-free pretzel sticks, Rice Krispies, or potato sticks.
Candy Eggs: I like to use Cadbury Mini Eggs, but other brands make candy chocolate eggs that work just as well. Try M&Ms or jelly beans.
Find the full recipe and instructions in the printable recipe card below.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Gather all your ingredients, and let's make this tasty little treat! We especially love the butterscotch flavor!
First, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, wax paper, or a Silpat baking mat and set aside.
Step 1 - MELT CHOCOLATE & BUTTERSCOTCH CHIPS. Place your chocolate and butterscotch chips in a large microwave-safe bowl. Cook in 30-second increments, stirring after each one until fully melted.
Step 2 - STIR IN CHOW MEIN NOODLES. Now, in the same bowl, add all the chow mein noodles to the melted chocolate mixture and stir until fully coated in the melted chocolate/butterscotch mixture.
Step 3 - CREATE COOKIE NESTS. Spoon approximately two tablespoons of the cookie mixture onto your prepared pan and form a nest.
We like to depress the center with the spoon to get the nest shape. Now, top with three candy eggs. Repeat with the remaining cookie mixture and candy eggs.
Step 4 - LET HARDEN. Finally, either place your chow mein noodle bird nests in the refrigerator for 10 - 15 minutes to harden or leave them on the counter to set for 30 - 60 minutes.
Expert Tips & Tricks
- Use a Dry Bowl: Make sure to use a clean and dry bowl to melt the chocolate. Water can cause it to seize and become unusable.
- Candy Suggestions: We often use Cadbury Mini Eggs, but any other chocolate candy-coated egg will work. Jelly beans are also a fun idea.
- Chocolate Options: The recipe calls for milk chocolate chips, but we have used dark chocolate, and it’s also delicious!
- Yield: Depending on how large you make your nests, you will end up with 16-20 cookies. Adjust how many candy eggs you use accordingly.
- Make-Ahead: You can make and then store these Easter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze them for up to a month.
Recipe Idea
- Get creative: Make these chocolate nests with all pink or blue color candy eggs for a baby shower sweet treat!
- Class Parties: These little Chocolate Birds Nest Cookies are also perfect for class parties (kids love them), Easter get-togethers, or any time you need a creative treat that's easy to whip together.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use peanut butter chips instead of butterscotch chips in your bird nest cookies. It's a delicious option. Or use a combination of both. White chocolate chips also work as a substitute for butterscotch chips.
Store your Easter Nests in an airtight container at room temperature for about five days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
You can freeze the bird nests in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Make sure to place parchment between each layer of cookies so they do not stick together. Place in the fridge to defrost before serving.
More Easter Treat Recipes
You may want to check out these Easter Basket Ideas for Kids and Easter Ideas for Teens.
★ Did you make this addictive Birds Nest Cookies recipe? I'd appreciate you giving it a star rating below!
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*Images in the recipe card don't print unless you want them to print.
Printable Recipe
Birds Nest Cookies Recipe
Equipment
- Spatula or cooking spoon
- large microwave-safe bowl
Ingredients
- 11-12 ounces milk chocolate chips
- 11-12 ounces butterscotch chips
- 12 ounces chow mein noodles (crispy)
- 48 candy eggs
Instructions
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat. Set aside.
- MELT CHOCOLATE & BUTTERSCOTCH CHIPS. Place your chocolate and butterscotch chips in a large microwave-safe bowl. Cook in 30-second increments, stirring after each one until fully melted.
- STIR IN CHOW MEIN NOODLES. Now, in the same bowl, add all the chow mein noodles to the melted chocolate mixture and stir until fully coated in the melted chocolate/butterscotch mixture.
- CREATE COOKIE NESTS. Spoon approximately two tablespoons of the cookie mixture onto your prepared pan and form a nest. We like to depress the center with the spoon to make an indent in the center. Now, top with 3 candy eggs. Repeat with the remaining cookie mixture and candy eggs.
- Either place nests in the refrigerator for 10 - 15 minutes to harden or leave them on the counter to set for 30 - 60 minutes to fully set.
Video
Notes
- We often use Cadbury Mini Eggs, but any other chocolate candy-coated egg will work. Jelly beans are also a fun idea.
- The recipe calls for milk chocolate chips, but we have used dark chocolate, and it’s also delicious!
- You can substitute pretzel sticks, Rice Krispies, or potato sticks if you don't have or can't find chow mein noodles.
Courtney says
My daughter and I had so much fun making these. Definitely a new Easter tradition, thank you!
Erin Henry says
That's so great, Courtney! We love hearing how it goes in the kitchen, and we are thrilled you have a new holiday tradition!
Melissa says
I love the no bake recipes - Yummy and fun to make!
Erin Henry says
A totally fun recipe to make with kids. Plus, they get a cut little nest at the end!
Noelle says
These are the perfect spring dessert, loved them! Always love making no bake cookies 🙂
Erin Henry says
Our go-to recipe for spring! It's kind of addictive with the chocolate and butterscotch!