My Grandma’s No-Bake, 3-Ingredient Cookies Are Impossible to Resist

Growing up, these retro no-bake cookies were a cherished treat for my mom and her siblings. My grandma would melt some chocolate, pop open a can of crispy chow mein noodles, and stir in a handful of salted peanuts, all while the kids ran through the house, buzzing with excitement. The result was a crunchy, chocolatey, salty-sweet snack that felt magical coming out of the mixing bowl.

These three-ingredient cookies aren’t just a sweet snack—they’re a little taste of nostalgia, a nod to the simple joys of childhood and family traditions. Easy to make and impossible to resist, they’re perfect for cookie trays, casual get-togethers, or just an afternoon indulgence with a cup of coffee or cold milk. 

The Star Ingredient

The crunchy, savory little twigs of dried chow mein noodles are the stars of the show here (and what salad bar dreams are made of). La Choy and Sun Luck brand chow mein noodles both work great in this recipe—they’re similarly light, airy, and incredibly versatile. 

While meant for topping soups, salads, and cooked noodle dishes for satisfying textural contrast, they're surprisingly delicious when coated in chocolate. (Though I challenge you to find something that isn't great when coated in chocolate.) The delicate, brittle texture of the noodles contrasts perfectly with the creamy richness of melted chocolate, while the peanuts bring a salty, dense crunch. 

If you can't find these noodles, twig-shaped cereals like Fiber One, Kashi Go Lean, and All Bran work in their place. They might be a healthier alternative, but they still give you that signature haystack shape and satisfying texture that makes these cookies so irresistible.

How to Make My Grandma's No-Bake Chocolate Chow Mein Cookies

To make 20 cookies (8 to 10 servings), you’ll need:

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute
Chilling Time: 10 minutes

• 1 cup (6 ounces) chocolate chips
• 1 (3-ounce) can (1 1/2 cups) chow mein noodles
• 1/2 cup salted peanuts
• Decorative sprinkles, optional

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the chocolate chips in a medium microwave-safe bowl and heat in the microwave until completely melted, 60 to 90 seconds, stirring well every 15 to 30 seconds. Be careful: the bowl will be hot! Add the chow mein noodles and peanuts and stir to coat evenly, folding gently to avoid breaking the noodles.

Mound heaping spoonfuls of the mixture (about 2 tablespoons each) onto the parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced apart so they aren't touching one another. Top with sprinkles, if desired. Transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator and chill until the chocolate is fully set, about 10 minutes. Remove the cookies from the pan and serve.

You can store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days. 

Get Fancy by Tempering the Chocolate

This recipe is designed to be quick and approachable, relying on chilling the chocolate in the fridge to set it. Over time, though, your chocolate-coated cookies may develop a chalky or streaky appearance known as “bloom” at room temperature. Don't worry—your cookies are still perfectly safe to eat and just as delicious. 

If you want chocolate that keeps its glossy finish, you can temper it using the microwave or stovetop method before assembling your treats. Tempering carefully heats and cools the chocolate to create stable cocoa butter crystals, giving you a smooth, shiny, professional-looking coating that stays snappy and shiny.

Choose Your Own Chocolate Adventure

One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. Bittersweet, semisweet, milk, and white chocolate chips all work beautifully. Each brings their own personality to the cookies: bittersweet and semisweet offer a deeper, classic chocolate flavor; milk chocolate is creamy and indulgent; while chocolate is sweet, luscious, and silky.

Milk and white chocolate are more sensitive to heat due to their higher sugar content, so be sure to heat those chips in short 15-second bursts in the microwave, stirring in between.

More Quick and Easy Treats

• Chocolate-Peanut Butter Spoons
• Banana Bread Chocolate Chunk Mug Cake
• Chocolate Dipped Orange Segments
• 2-Ingredient Pumpkin Quickies