Avalanche Cookies (Easy No-Bake Recipe)

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Are Avalanche Cookies really no-bake cookies or an easy homemade candy made with just four ingredients? My vote is for the latter, but you can be the judge! Rice Krispies cereal, almond bark, creamy peanut butter and mini marshmallows are combined to make a sweet, crunchy and very irresistible treat! This no-bake dessert is a wonderful addition to any party, potluck or your Christmas dessert tray. If you love haystacks candy, you’ll love this avalanche cookie recipe!

I love easy recipes that feel like quick wins, especially when I’m doing my Christmas baking. This recipe for avalanche cookies is virtually fool-proof, requires just a few ingredients with shelf stable ingredients and needs no oven. While its not technically a cookie and more of a candy, the result is a simple to eat, portable treat that can be made in bulk any time the mood strikes. It’s great for cookie exchanges and holiday potlucks!

Need more simple options for entertaining or gift giving? Try these these seasoned oyster crackers made with cinnamon and sugar or this ranch pretzel recipe if you want something savory.

Avalanche Cookie Recipe Ingredients

With just four ingredients required and no baking needed to make this recipe, you’ll be enjoying these avalanche cookies in no time!

• crisped rice cereal (I used Rice Krispies)
• almond bark (or white chocolate/white candy melts)
• creamy peanut butter*
• mini marshmallows
• mini m&ms, mini chocolate chips or sprinkles (optional)

Most recipes for avalanche cookies only use 1lb. of almond bark but it typically comes in a 1 1/2 lb. package so this recipe was designed to use the entire block instead of having some leftover. The other ingredients come in packages that easily accommodate this increase and the result is more avalanche candy!

*When choosing peanut butter, do not choose the natural version and instead opt for regular creamy peanut butter which has stabilizers.

Why can’t I use natural peanut butter?

Natural peanut butter can separate easily causing your avalanche cookies to not set right or have a grainy, greasy texture. They have a higher oil content potentially causing the almond bark to seize. To avoid this, just use standard shelf stable creamy peanut butter.

How to Make Avalanche Cookies

There are very few steps in making this simple candy recipe. Start by gently stirring your rice cereal and mini marshmallows in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.

Melt your almond bark in a large bowl in the microwave, stirring in regular intervals. (Make sure your bowl is microwave safe.) Exact time can vary but start out with a minute or two and stir, then reduce the intervals to 30 seconds to avoid overheating. Stop when a few small lumps remain and stir to melt completely. Overheating can cause your almond bark to seize or turn thick and grainy.

Immediately add your creamy peanut butter and stir until fully combined and smooth. The heat from the melted almond bark will melt your peanut butter.

Pour over your cereal mixture and gently stir until evenly coated.

Drop by tablespoons onto a parchment paper, aluminum foil or silicone lined baking sheets for easy clean up. Immediately add any garnishes such as mini chocolate chips, mini M&M’s or sprinkles in coordinating holiday colors. You can also leave plain if preferred.

If you do decide to add any toppings to your avalanch cookie, I recommend dropping a half dozen or so at a time and then adding the topping for better sticking. To speed up the setting process, you can move these to the fridge but they will set up nicely at room temperature in under an hour as long as your home isn’t overly warm.

You can also lay down a few rows of parchment paper or aluminum foil on a large table or counter instead of baking sheets and then transfer to an airtight container when they are ready.

These avalanche cookies are rich, but extremely good. While my whole family enjoys them, my youngest son can’t keep his hands off them. He loves peanut butter and the crunchy texture of the rice cereal.

How long do avalanche cookies last?

If you store in an airtight container in the fridge, these will last around 2 weeks. If you prefer to store at room temperature, they are good about a week. Personally, I prefer the taste of these cold but you can always let them sit out at room temperature a bit to soften before you eat them and to help them last longer.

More Easy No Bake Recipes

Looking for more easy no-bake dessert recipes? Here are some more treats to try:

• Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies: Use the leftover Rice Krispies, peanut butter and mini M&Ms from this recipe to make this delicious chocolate and peanut butter candy.
• Ginger Truffles: If you love Oreo cookie balls, you’ll love these easy truffles requiring just four ingredients including store-bought ginger snaps!
• Almond Bark with Pretzels: Have extra almond bark? Try this easy almond bark recipe for Christmas with crushed candy canes and pretzels.
• Candy Cane Puppy Chow: A delicious combination of peanut butter, chocolate and crushed candy canes, this easy muddy buddy recipe is a must-try for the holidays!
• Edible Oreo Cookie Dough: If you like cookies and cream, you have to try this easy no-bake dessert loaded with crushed Oreo cookies.