Easy Chocolate Haystacks Recipe with Chow Mein Noodles

Chocolate Haystacks were always a traditional Christmas snack for my brother and I growing up.  My Mom would make these haystacks and peter pan pudding every year.  Well now it is my turn  and I want to share with you this very easy recipe.

No Bake Recipe: Chocolate Haystacks with Chow Mein Noodles

These delicious morsels are a little awkward to eat, but the combinations of chow mien noodles and semi-sweet chocolate is texture heaven.  Another perk is we don’t have to use the oven, just the microwave.

Melting chocolate morsels for haystacks

Melting chocolate morsels is pretty easy, we just need a little patience.  I had a little bit of bitter-sweet morsels left so I added those, but you only need to add the chocolate chips. Basically, microwave and stir for a bit after every 15 seconds.  I can speak from experience, if you heat up the chocolate too  much the sugars will crystallize and becomes super thick like fudge.  That just doesn’t work for making these chocolate haystacks.  Now it is time to add the chow mien noodles.

chow mien noodles for haystacks

Did you look at it and think, “oh man, that is too much.”  No, it will all be coated nicely and with very little breakage.  Just fold over making sure to come in through the middle once in a while.   See they are covered pretty good.  I notice there are thicker patches of chocolate here and there, but that is ok because we aren’t done yet; it is time to add peanuts.

adding peanuts to chocolate haystacks

Now fold in the peanuts just like you did the chow mien noodles.  Before too long, they will be nice and coated.

Now let’s add some little stacks to a baking sheet that is lined with wax paper or sprayed with a little nonstick spray.  For this step, I just used a basic cereal spoon.

chocolate haystacks setting

I try not to make these stacks too large or they are even harder to eat.  When these are no longer shiny, they are set and ready to be eaten.  These Chocolate Haystacks are so easy to make and the flavor possibilities are endless.  For our haystacks, I added some M&Ms, but here are some other ideas…

Omit the nuts entirely or add another like chopped pecans
Drizzle some white chocolate over the top
Mix peanut butter with the chocolate
Add Christmas colored sprinkles

To make these delicious chocolate snacks, all you need is:

1 cup roasted peanuts
1 package cooked Chow Mien noodles
1 small package Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (an 8-ounce bag, but it wouldn’t hurt if you had a little more or a little less)



CHOCOLATE HAYSTACKS RECIPE
Printable Recipe

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup roasted peanuts
  • 1 package cooked Chow Mien noodles
  • 1 small package Semi-Sweet Chocolate chips


INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave, about 10 to 15 seconds at a time.
  2. When it is smooth and creamy, fold in noodles.
  3. After the noodles are covered, fold in the peanuts.
  4. Once incorporated, add small spoonfuls of haystacks to waxed paper or lightly sprayed pan.
  5. They will set up quickly, wait about 30 minutes to an hour.