These Old-Fashioned Butterscotch and Peanut Butter Haystacks are a quick, no-bake treat! Made with crunchy chow mein noodles, creamy peanut butter, and sweet butterscotch chips, this vintage candy is salty, sweet, and totally irresistible-perfect for holidays, parties, or anytime snacking. Make them in under 30 minutes.
This was my grandmother's recipe. As a child, my mom would make them with her every Christmas-and she passed the tradition on to me. I've always loved the peanut butter and butterscotch combination-it's just so good!
Making them over the holidays brings back special memories. I hope you love them as much as we do. Enjoy! XOXO-Katie.
Jump to:
Steps
Making this haystacks recipe is super easy. Follow these simple steps.
- Combine peanuts and chow mein in a large mixing bowl and set aside. (photo 1)
- Combine butterscotch and peanut butter in microwave safe bowl.
- In a microwave, melt peanut butter and butterscotch chips for 1-2 minutes, pausing every 30 seconds to stir.
- Add melted butterscotch and peanut butter to peanuts and chow mein. Stir and coat evenly.
- Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper. Refrigerate to set (about 5 minutes).
Watch how to make
Can you use potato sticks?
My grandmother would make this recipe with chow mein noodles or potato sticks. However, if you use the potato sticks, the candy is often called tumbleweeds.
You can find the chow mein noodles in the Asian section in your grocery store. The potato sticks are found in the snack isle, the canned vegetable isle near the French fried onions, or the salad toppings section in your grocery store.
What are some other variations?
There are other fun variations to this haystacks recipe. Try some of these:
- Omit the peanut butter and add 2 cups of chocolate chips.
- Replace chow mein with potatoes sticks.
- Omit chow mein noodles and replace with 6 cups of corn flakes.
- Add 3 cups of miniature marshmallows and omit peanuts.
- Replace butterscotch chips with white chocolate.
- Replace chow mein noodles with chex mix.
- Use pretzel sticks in place of chow mein noodles.
How do you store them?
Store haystacks in an air tight container at room temperature.
Please leave me a comment below if you make this haystacks recips and tell me what you think about it. I would love to hear back, and so would my readers.
Also post your picture of your dessert on Instagram or Facebook, and tag @aforkstale with #aforkstale hashtags! I will share with my followers! xoxo!
📖 Recipe
Old-Fashioned Butterscotch and Peanut Butter Haystacks
Ingredients
- 12 ounces peanuts salted
- 5 ounces chow mein
- 2 cups butterscotch chips
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter
Instructions
- Combine peanuts and chow mein in a large mixing bowl and set aside.12 ounces peanuts, 5 ounces chow mein
- Combine butterscotch chips and peanut butter in microwave safe bowl.2 cups butterscotch chips, 3 tablespoons peanut butter
- In a microwave, melt peanut butter and butterscotch chips for 1-2 minutes, pausing every 30 seconds to stir.
- Add melted butterscotch and peanut butter to peanuts and chow mein. Stir and coat evenly.
- Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper. Refrigerate to set (about 5 minutes).
JanetSue Baxley Hall says
This recipe is a gem for quick and delicious! It somehow got lost over the years but this post has inspired its return to my Christmas recipes. Thanks Katie and Merry Christmas
Cindy Taylor says
I make this without the peanut butter and they are great. I've also made them with 1/2 butterscotch chips and 1/2 milk chocolate chips. My aunt taught me to make them many years ago and she called them Ting A Lings so that's what I call them.
Linda Shapleigh says
Can I use potatoe shoestrings in place of chowmein noodles
Katie Crenshaw says
Yes! My grandma would do that also sometimes. I can't find them anymore. You would make it the same, just switch them out.
Michelle says
These look amazing! I don't think I've ever had these made with noodles, but I love that idea. Definitely making these! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe.
Sophie says
I have eaten this so many times but never knew what it is called. Thanks for the recipe and it’s name. I will make it real soon.
Marie-Charlotte Chatelain says
OMG this is so easy and I have a great stack of chow mein noodles in my pantry that I have no plans for! My kids would love this!
Priya Shiva says
Such an awesome idea and must be so delicious for snacking!
Charla says
This such a genius way to use up some chow mein, what a great dessert!!