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No Bake Avalanche Cookies

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5 from 130 votes

Not a baker? These No Bake Avalanche Cookies are the perfect holiday cookie for you! Chocolatey, peanut buttery, and crispy, these cookies are the ultimate easy treat that come together in just 20 minutes!

avalanche cookies on parchment lined baking sheet beside bowl of mini holiday m&ms.

Why You’ll Love These No Bake Cookies

I get it. Not EVERYONE loves to bake Christmas cookies. It requires time that not everyone has. And some people just don’t like to bake! However, if you find yourself falling into one of those categories, I encourage you to try this delicious Avalanche Cookie recipe!

These chocolatey, peanut buttery, crispy cookies come together in just 20 minutes and require NO BAKING!

The most intensive part is melting some chocolate, and all you have to do for that is stir until you achieve a smooth consistency. They’re easy, delicious, and a crowd favorite no bake treat!

My aunt brought these no bake cookies to a Christmas party a few years ago, and now they’re our go-to for cookie exchanges, work parties, and more. They’re also yummy to just snack on at home! 😊 Also try these Buckeye Balls with Rice Krispies, these White Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Cookies, these Peanut Butter Crinkle Cookies or these Oatmeal Monster Cookies, which take less than 30 minutes to make too! These Pretzel Hershey Kiss M&M Bites are a simple treat I think you’ll love, as well!

FEATURED COMMENT

This is one of my most popular recipes around Christmas time! They went viral on social media and everyone seems to love them. Check out a few of the reviews of this sweet treat:

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“It doesn’t get any easier or tastier than this! Simple ingredients, spot on directions, and so quick from start to finish. For me, it’s the marshmallows that bring the whole cookie together. They make a great treat for friends and family for any occasion, and heads up to make a double batch because they won’t last long!” – Cary

“Not to be dramatic but these are probably the best cookies I’ve ever had.” – Melissa

Recipe Ingredients

These cookies are just 5 ingredients! Here’s what you’ll need:

  • White Chocolate Chips: I used one bag, which is approximately 12 ounces. Candy melts work too which are usually easy to find during the holiday season.
  • Peanut Butter: Who doesn’t love peanut butter in cookies?
  • Marshmallows: Ooey gooey, soft marshmallows are such a treat! Use mini marshmallows instead of full sized.
  • Rice Krispies: Snap, crackle, and pop! Rice Krispie cereal adds such fun texture.
  • M&Ms: I used the holiday ones. Feel free to use whatever you’d like here, however. Have leftover candy? Use it in these Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies.

See the full recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

How to Make This No Bake Recipe

Overhead shot of white chocolate chips in a sauce pan.
Step 1

1. Heat a small sauce pan to low-medium heat. Add white chocolate chips. Stir constantly with a rubber spatula to prevent burning and allow them to melt. 

Overhead view of melted white chocolate and peanut butter in sauce pot with rubber scraper.
Step 2

2. When the chocolate is melted, turn off the stove and add peanut butter. Stir the peanut butter and melted white chocolate until combined. 

mini marshmallows poured in on top of melted peanut butter and white chocolate.
Step 3

2. Pour in mini marshmallows with the creamy peanut butter mixture. You can do this in the same sauce pot. If your pot isn’t large enough, pour the marshmallows into a mixing bowl and then drizzle the white chocolate peanut butter sauce over them. Fold together until marshmallows are covered. NOTE: The marshmallows are supposed to be almost whole, not melted.

combined batter for No Bake Avalanche Cookies in white mixing bowl.
Step 4

4. Stir the crispy rice cereal with the marshmallow mixture. NOTE: The texture is supposed to be a little runny.

No Bake Avalanche Cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 5

5. Using a cookie scoop, plop cookies onto a parchment paper lined large cookie sheet. Do so in an “avalanche” like fashion, don’t worry about perfect cookie form. Top each cookie with a few holiday M&Ms.

6. Then, put the cookie tray in the the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes or until each cookie has hardened. Serve chilled and enjoy the final product! 

green block with white writing featuring Cookie Scoops.

Storage

These cookies are best chilled, so store them in the refrigerator. However, these cookies don’t last very long to have leftovers!

You can also freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Serving suggestions

Stick with the no-bake theme! Assemble a festive Charcuterie Wreath and make a Cream Cheese Caramel Apple Dip for dipping.

Recipe FAQs

Why is my white chocolate so stiff after melting?

It’s likely your chocolate has burned or “seized.” This is why you need to stir it constantly while heating and immediately remove it from heat it once melted. If you catch the burning chocolate early enough, you may be able to save it by whisking in a tablespoon of neutral oil (avocado, coconut, or cultured oil) and mixing gently in an attempt to loosen the seized clumps.

Can I use a different kind of cereal?

Of course! You can use another version of Rice Krispies, something like “rice puffs” or “krispie rice.” But, if you want to switch it up completely, try Chex, Cheerios, or Cap’n Crunch. Cocoa Krispies would also make a great chocolate version of these Avalanche Cookies. I suggest maybe adding miniature chocolate chips to these, too!

Can I make these nut free?

Use granola butter (code COURTNEY15 saves you $) or a cookie butter spread here. Sunflower butter or tahini would also work in place of the peanut butter. If only trying to avoid peanuts, almond butter or cashew butter are great options too.

avalanche cookies on parchment lined baking sheet beside bowl of mini holiday m&ms.

More Christmas Cookie Recipes You’ll Love

No Bake Avalanche Cookies

5 from 130 votes
Prep10 minutes
Total20 minutes
Servings24
Not a baker? These No Bake Avalanche Cookies are the perfect holiday cookie for you! Chocolatey, peanut buttery, and crispy, these cookies come together in just 15 minutes!
Save This Recipe form

Save This Recipe!

Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!

Equipment

  • Sauce pot
  • Rubber scraper
  • Baking pan
  • parchment paper
  • Cookie scoop
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

  • 12 oz white chocolate chips, 1 bag
  • 2/3 cup peanut butter, creamy
  • cups mini marshmallows
  • 3 cups Rice Krispies
  • ½ cup holiday M&Ms

Instructions

  • Heat a small sauce pan to low-medium heat. Immediately add white chocolate chips. Stir constantly to prevent burning.
    Overhead shot of white chocolate chips in a sauce pan.
  • When melted, turn off the stove and add peanut butter. Stir the peanut butter and melted white chocolate until combined. 
  • Next, pour in mini marshmallows. You can do this in the same sauce pot. If your pot isn't large enough, pour the marshmallows into a mixing bowl and then drizzle the white chocolate peanut butter sauce over them. Fold together until marshmallows are covered. NOTE: The marshmallows are supposed to be almost whole, not melted.
    mini marshmallows mixed into melted peanut butter and white chocolate.
  • Stir in Rice Krispies. NOTE: The texture is supposed to be a little runny. We want them to kind of flood out on the pan like an avalanche. See where the name comes from now? 😉
  • Using a cookie scooper, scoop cookies onto a parchment lined baking sheet. If you don't have a cookie scooper, you can also use a spoon.
    No Bake Avalanche Cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Top each cookie with a few holiday M&Ms. Then, put in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes or until each cookie has hardened. 
  • Serve chilled and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 157kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 48mg | Potassium: 47mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g

Video

Notes

Store these cookies in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. However, these cookies don’t last very long to have leftovers!
I do not recommend using a natural peanut butter. It will change the taste and texture of this delicious cookie!
If your white chocolate is stiff after melting, it’s likely it has burned or “seized.” This is why you need to stir it constantly while heating and immediately remove it once melted. If you catch the burning chocolate early enough, you may be able to save it by whisking in a tablespoon of oil and mixing gently in an attempt to loosen the seized clumps.
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I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved or just say hi!

71 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Super easy to make. I prepared them for a dinner party my beautiful wife and I were cordially invited to by her old boss. But before we packed up our 2023 Kia Carnival, I managed to eat the whole tray. Not sure what got into me. Can’t really remember it. I couldn’t stop. After the party, my wife scolded me for my lack of control. I tried to feel remorseful, but couldn’t. That how good they were. I made it up to her by preparing them again the next day. Crisis averted. Thank you.

  2. 5 stars
    First off, wow. Move over ladies, because these cookies are also for the boys!

    I made these for bowling night with my buddies and, let me tell you, they had us knockin down pins all night!!

    The Rice Krispie texture is one we all know and love, but this recipe add a sweet new twist!

  3. 5 stars
    I love makin these no bake Avalanche Cookies while I am baked and watchin the Colorado Avalanche. Go figure that one out! Easy to make and delicious to boot! God bless.

5 from 130 votes (70 ratings without comment)

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