Birds Nest Cookies

5 from 2 votes
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe

Posts may contain affiliate links, meaning that I may earn a commission if you use a link provided.

Birds nest cookies are an easy no-bake Easter treat made in just 20 minutes with just four simple ingredients: chow mein noodles, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and mini egg candies. They taste like crispy, chocolatey perfection!

Like Rice Krispies Nests, these adorable no-bake Easter cookies look like colorful birds eggs in a nest and will make a bright and festive addition to any Easter dessert spread

Inspired by the well-loved haystack cookie, this birds nest cookie recipe is a fun spring twist on an old classic.

Crispy chow mein noodles are coated in a luscious mixture of melted chocolate and butterscotch, shaped into little mounds, and topped with mini chocolate eggs to create a colorful, tasty, and springy treat.

No-bake chocolate birds nest cookies arranged on a white plate with additional colored eggs in the background.

These bird nest cookies without peanut butter are also a great dessert to make with the kids in your life.

They’re easy for little hands to shape, don’t require any sharp or hot equipment to make, and are super fun to decorate.

Colorful eggs in chow mein nests.

Kids and adults alike will appreciate these cookies’ uncanny resemblance to a bird’s nest full of colorful eggs.

So, what are you waiting for? Gather your ingredients and get ready to make these fun and festive no-bake Easter cookies. 

Birds Nest Cookie Ingredients

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Ingredients for Chow Mein Birds Nest Cookies.
  • Milk Chocolate Chips—Any brand chocolate chips will do, as long as your chocolate is tasty, sweet, and melts down easily, it will work! 
  • Butterscotch Chips—Are melted down and mixed with the milk chocolate to create a caramel- and chocolate-flavored base for these no-bake cookies. I have found that butterscotch chips come in 11-ounce or 12-ounce bags and that either will work.
  • Chow Mein Noodles—These dried, crunchy noodles are a popular snack or salad topping and can be found at most major grocery stores or on Amazon.
  • Mini Chocolate Eggs—I prefer to use Cadbury Mini Eggs or Robin Eggs, but any egg-shaped candy should work.

Equipment You’ll Need

Birds nest cookies with Chinese noodles come together super quickly and only require basic kitchen equipment to make.

You’ll want to make sure that you have the following:

  • 2 parchment-lined baking sheets – These pre-cut parchment sheets make lining baking sheets quick and easy.
  • 2 microwave-safe bowls
  • large mixing bowl
  • rubber spatula
  • spoon or cookie scoop – I love this set of cookie scoops and use them all the time.

How to Make No-Bake Birds Nest Cookies

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below. 

Step 1: Melt chocolate chip by microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate is completely melted. Repeat with the butterscotch chips.

Bowl of melted chocolate, bowl of melted butterscotch, and bowl of chow mein noodles.

Step 2: Pour the melted chocolate and butterscotch over the noodles. Stir gently with a spatula until each noodle is thoroughly coated.

chocolate chow mein noodles in mixing bowl with egg candies next to it.

Step 3: Use a spoon or a cookie scoop to transfer the coated noodles to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Shape the noodles into nest-like mounds. Place three miniature chocolate eggs onto the center of each “nest”. 

Step 4: Allow the finished chocolate bird egg nest cookies to set before serving and enjoying.

No-bake chocolate birds nest cookies with colorful eggs in the center.

Storage

Chow mein noodle birds nest cookies can be kept in an airtight container on the countertop for up to 1 week.

No Bake Easter Bird Nest Cookie with mini eggs in center.

Expert Tips and Tricks

  • Once you coat the crunchy noodles in the chocolate mixture, work quickly to shape your cookies! I find that these cookies will set in a matter of minutes.
  • For the prettiest birds nest cookies, be sure to decorate each with three different colored mini eggs.
  • Storing your cookies in the fridge or freezer can cause the chocolate to “bloom,” a process which is change the color and texture of the chocolate. I recommend keeping the cookies at room temperature.
  • Can’t find chow mein noodles? You can easily swap them out for crushed pretzels or puffed rice cereal like in my Rice Krispie Nests recipe.
  • Check out my birds nest cookies story!
Birds Nest Haystacks with colorful chocolate eggs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are birds nest cookies the same as haystack cookies?

Essentially, yes! Both cookies are made by coating chow mein noodles in melted chocolate, shaping the mixture into cookies, and allowing everything to set. However, bird’s nest cookies are decorated with miniature chocolate eggs while haystacks are not. Additionally, some haystack cookie recipes call for peanut butter to be added to the chocolate mixture, whereas this recipe uses butterscotch chips.

What is the best way to melt chocolate chips?

I like using the microwave method listed above because it’s quick and easy. However, you can also use a double boiler to melt your chocolate and butterscotch chips. To do this, fill a small saucepan with water and bring it to a boil. Next, place a glass mixing bowl on top of the saucepan, being sure not to let the bowl touch the water. Place your baking chips into the bowl and mix continuously as the steam from the boiling water melts the chocolate.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just swap out the chow mein noodles for a puffed rice noodle or your favorite gluten-free cereal.

More Easter Dessert Ideas

Recipe
No-bake chocolate birds nest cookies with colorful eggs in the center.
Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Birds Nest Cookies

Author: Jaclyn
Prep: 20 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Birds nest cookies are an easy no-bake Easter treat made in just 20 minutes with just four simple ingredients: chow mein noodles, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and mini egg candies.

Ingredients
 

  • 1 12-ounce package chow mein noodles
  • 1 11-ounce package milk chocolate chips
  • 1 11.5-ounce package butterscotch chips
  • 66 mini egg candies

Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. 
  • Place the chow mein noodles in a large bowl and set aside.
  • In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the milk chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until it is completely melted and smooth. Set aside.
  • Repeat the process to melt the butterscotch chips.
  • Pour the melted chocolate and butterscotch over the chow mein noodles. Mix gently with a rubber spatula until the noodles are completely covered.
  • Use a spoon or a cookie scoop to transfer the coated noodles to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Shape the noodles into nest-like mounds.
  • Place three miniature chocolate eggs onto the center of each “nest”. 
  • Allow the cookies to set for at least 10-15 minutes before serving.

Notes

When it comes to forming the nests, you need to work quickly before the chocolate begins to set up. I recommend forming all of the nests first before washing your hands of the excess chocolate and then coming back to place the eggs in the nests.
Store your cookies in an airtight container on the countertop for up to 1 week.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 292kcal
No-bake chocolate birds nest cookies with colorful eggs in the center.

Did You Make This Recipe?

Share it with me on Instagram @crayonsandcravings and follow on Pinterest @crayonsandcravings for even more!

Birds Nest Cookies pinterest collage image.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




One Comment

Similar Posts