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!
Table of Contents
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!
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:
"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.
See the full recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make This No Bake Recipe
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.
2. When the chocolate is melted, turn off the stove and add peanut butter. Stir the peanut butter and melted white chocolate until combined.
2. The next step will be to 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.
4. Stir the crispy rice cereal with the marshmallow mixture. NOTE: The texture is supposed to be a little runny.
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!
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
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.
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!
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.
more of our favorite Cookie Recipes...
- Easy Peanut Butter Cookies
- Oatmeal Snickerdoodles
- Chocolate Chip Cherry Cookies
- Lucky Charms Cookies
- Halloween Candy Cookies
- Kit Kat Cookies
- No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie
- Funfetti Cookie Recipe
- Easy Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
- Avalanche Cookies (No Bake)
- Christmas Shortbread Cookie
- Pretzel Cookies
More Christmas Cookie Recipes You'll Love
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & if you really like the recipe consider leaving a comment further down. Thanks for visiting!
Recipe
No Bake Avalanche Cookies
Equipment
- Sauce pot
- Rubber scraper
- Baking pan
- parchment paper
- Cookie scoop
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 12 oz white chocolate chips, 1 bag
- ⅔ cup peanut butter
- 1½ 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.
- 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.
- 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 form 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.
- 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
Video
Notes
Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?
If you're using MyFitnessPal, search 'A Paige Of Positivity' and find Avalanche Cookies calories and nutrition facts. Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
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!
Sydney Van Acker says
5 ingredients, 10 minutes, you need these in your life Christmas time or not! So good!!
Cary says
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!
Cathy says
So quick, easy, and delicious! It’s hard not to eat the entire batch myself!
Kate says
I made these with my grandma on our annual cookie day and they were a hit!! So easy to make and so tasty 😍 thanks for a great new addition to our tradition!!
Kristan Haugen says
These cookies are a new favorite! So easy and delicious! I recommend to everyone!!
Lauren B says
These were delicious and SO easy! Will definitely be making these again! Thank you for sharing!
Monica says
These are so good and SO easy to make!! We loved them
Mary says
These are so simple and delicious! It was so nice to throw these together for a quick dessert and everyone loved them!
Melissa says
Not to be dramatic but these are probably the best cookies I’ve ever had.
Michelle Gimbutis says
SO. GOOD. 🙌
Erica says
These were so easy to make! I made them with the intention of sharing with my parents, had to prevent eating them all. My dad texted "Wow! These are delicious! Thank you for sharing."
Kelly says
Made these for Christmas and they were a huge hit. Also so easy to make in a rush on Christmas day. I will definitely make them again!
Jayne says
My daughter and I both made these and shared with our folks in NH and Wisconsin. They seem to be everybody’s new favorite!
Thanks for making us both so popular! 🤗
Hannah says
Will definitely be making these outside of just Christmas time. They are SO YUMMY!!! 10/10 recommend.
Jan says
Such a quick and scrumptious cookie to make! Everyone loved them and were quick to grab a second one. Can’t wait to make them again. Thank you for a fast and easy recipe!
Carolyn says
So yummy! They come together really fast and are so cute! Even clean up is quick. Highly recommend.
Kailey says
Delicious and super easy to make! They are a hit in our family.
Lorna says
I recently made these no-bake avalanche cookies, and they turned out so good. It was the perfect balance of sweetness. It is also buttery and crispy! My kids loved it! I would recommend giving this recipe a try!
Kyla says
My son enjoyed helping me make these! The recipe was so easy to follow. It's a win-win recipe for busy parents like me and little cookie lovers! Thanks!
Don says
I was in charge of bringing dessert to the office last week. As a man not familiar with the kitchen these no bake cookies were the perfect choice. Easy to make and a huge hit.