Butterscotch Haystacks

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Butterscotch Haystacks are an easy no bake treat loaded with sweet butterscotch, creamy peanut butter, and plenty of salty crunch.

Chow mein noodles and roasted peanuts get coated in a smooth butterscotch mixture, then scooped into little stacks that are almost impossible to leave alone.

You only need four ingredients and a microwave before the fridge takes over and does the rest.

These crunchy little candies are perfect for holiday treat trays, sharing with friends, or sneaking straight from the fridge when nobody’s looking.

Why This Recipe is a Winner!

• Just 4 ingredients: A short shopping list with no complicated extras.
• No oven required: Your microwave and fridge do the heavy lifting.
• Sweet and salty goodness: Butterscotch and peanut butter balance the salty peanuts perfectly.
• Loaded with crunch: Chow mein noodles and roasted peanuts make every bite satisfying.
• Only 20 minutes of prep: Then pop them in the fridge and get on with your day.
• Perfect for making ahead: Have a batch ready before the holiday chaos kicks in.
• Great for sharing: Add them to Christmas treat trays, package them as gifts, or bring them to a potluck.
• No fancy decorating: Scoop them into little piles and call it a day—these treats embrace the messy look.

Ingredients You'll Need

• 1 cup butterscotch chips: Melted butterscotch chips give these haystacks their signature sweet flavour and help hold the clusters together once chilled.
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter: Blends with the melted butterscotch chips to create a smooth coating for the noodles and peanuts. Use a regular creamy peanut butter for a consistent texture; natural varieties that separate can affect how the haystacks set.
• ½ cup roasted and salted peanuts: Add nutty flavour, extra crunch, and a salty contrast to the sweet butterscotch coating.
• 2 cups chow mein noodles: Use the crunchy, ready-to-eat chow mein noodles, not soft noodles or noodles that require cooking. They give the haystacks their distinctive shape and crispy texture.

Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.

Be sure to read through the entire post so that you don't miss out on any important tips and tricks!

Step By Step Instructions

 STEP 1: 

I poured butterscotch chips and peanut butter into a microwave safe bowl.

I heated them in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted.

 STEP 2: 

I poured chow mein noodles and peanuts into a large mixing bowl and poured the melted butterscotch and peanut butter mixture over them.

I stirred until all of the noodles were well coated.

 STEP 3: 

I scooped large spoonfuls of the mixture onto a parchment lined baking sheet.

I placed them in the refrigerator for an hour to set.

Every bite of these Butterscotch Haystacks delivers a sweet, creamy butterscotch and peanut butter coating with a crispy crunch from the noodles and salty peanuts.

They’re the kind of treat you grab “just one” of, then find yourself heading back to the fridge for another.

If you are looking for the perfect no bake treat for butterscotch and peanut butter lovers, then you need to try these Butterscotch Haystacks!

• Use crunchy chow mein noodles: Grab the crispy, ready-to-eat kind, not noodles that need cooking.
• Stir between microwave bursts: Heat the butterscotch chips and peanut butter in 30-second increments, stirring well each time to prevent scorching.
• Fold gently: Coat the noodles and peanuts without crushing the noodles—you want that signature haystack crunch.
• Line your baking sheet: Parchment paper makes it easy to lift the chilled haystacks without leaving half the treat behind.
• Pick your portion size: Make smaller clusters for bite-sized treats or larger ones when you’re feeling generous. The number of haystacks will depend on how big you scoop them.
• Add a festive touch: Sprinkle with holiday sprinkles before the coating sets.
• Let them set completely: Give them about an hour in the fridge so they hold together when you pick them up.
• Keep them cool: Store in an airtight container in the fridge, with parchment between layers to keep them from sticking together.

Substitutions and Variations

• Swap the chips: Try chocolate chips or white chocolate chips in place of the butterscotch chips for a different flavour.
• Use crunchy peanut butter: Replace the creamy peanut butter with crunchy for even more peanut texture.
• Change the nuts: Substitute roasted almonds, cashews, or pecans for the peanuts. Chop larger nuts so they mix easily into the clusters.
• Leave out the whole peanuts: Replace the ½ cup of peanuts with an extra ½ cup of chow mein noodles. The peanut butter still gives these haystacks plenty of peanut flavour.
• Try pretzel haystacks: Replace some or all of the chow mein noodles with broken pretzel sticks for a salty twist.
• Add a chocolate drizzle: Drizzle melted milk, dark, or white chocolate over the chilled haystacks, then refrigerate until the drizzle sets.
• Make them festive: Add holiday sprinkles while the coating is still soft so they stick.
• Finish with flaky salt: Sprinkle a little flaky sea salt over the freshly scooped clusters for an extra sweet and salty bite.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are butterscotch haystacks?

• Butterscotch haystacks are no bake candy clusters made with crunchy chow mein noodles, peanuts, and a melted butterscotch and peanut butter coating. Their little mounds of noodles look like miniature haystacks!

What kind of chow mein noodles should I use?

• Use crunchy, ready-to-eat chow mein noodles, often sold in cans or bags. Soft noodles or noodles that need cooking won’t work for this recipe.

Can I make butterscotch haystacks ahead of time?

• Yes! These treats are great for making ahead. Once set, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.

How many haystacks does this recipe make?

• The recipe serves six, but the number of individual haystacks depends on how large you make each scoop. Smaller clusters will give you more pieces to share—or keep for yourself.

Butterscotch Haystacks

Yield: Serves 6

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Chill Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Butterscotch Haystacks are easy no bake treats made with butterscotch chips, creamy peanut butter, salted peanuts, and crunchy chow mein noodles.

These sweet and salty candy clusters require just four ingredients and 20 minutes of prep!

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Ingredients

• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup roasted and salted peanuts
• 2 cups chow mein noodles

Instructions

1. To a microwave safe bowl, add butterscotch chips and peanut butter. Heat for 30 second increments, stirring well in between, until melted and smooth.
2. To a large mixing bowl, add chow mein noodles and peanuts. Toss.
3. Pour the melted butterscotch mixture over top, and stir to coat.
4. Line a baking sheet with parchment and set aside.
5. Scoop large spoonfuls of the candy mixture onto the parchment.
6. Refrigerate for an hour, or until set.
7. Enjoy.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 502Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 13gUnsaturated Fat: 18gSodium: 404mgCarbohydrates: 49gFiber: 3gSugar: 31gProtein: 10g

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