Avalanche Cookies are a mountain of crispy rice cereal, marshmallows, and chocolate chips, coated in a creamy blend of peanut butter and white chocolate. A classic no-bake cookie!
Avalanche Cookies
Avalanche cookies are one of the most well-known no bake desserts. Each cookie is a little mountain of crispy rice cereal, mini chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows, enveloped in a smooth blend of white chocolate and peanut butter. Perhaps this similarity to mountains is where the name “avalanche” came from!
In any case, this mix of flavors and textures is a delight! And it’s so easy to make them!
No-bake cookies became widely popular starting in the 1950s, along with the rise in convenience foods. These easy to prepare cookies were perfect for creating a tasty treat in a short time frame and without using the oven. Some recipes featured new ingredients, such as marshmallows and margarine, which were new and exciting for home cooks.
Generations of kids (including me) grew up enjoying no bake cookies. My elementary school served them frequently at lunch. No bake cookies hold a special nostalgia for many grown-ups today – that along with their easy preparation makes them lastingly popular.
This is definitely one of those classic cookie recipes that you’ll want to have in your recipe box!
— Stacey
Ingredients
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- 16 ounces white melting chocolate or almond bark
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips, divided
Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Microwave safe large bowl
- Large baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
Prep Time: 5-10 minutes
Total Time: 30-40 minutes (includes chill time in the fridge)
Yield: About 18 cookies
Instructions
To Prep: Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
- Place the white chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second increments, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Add peanut butter to the melted white chocolate and stir until smooth.
- Pour the Rice Krispies, mini marshmallows, and ¾ cup of the chocolate chips into the white chocolate mixture and fold to incorporate.
- Scoop cookies out onto the prepared cookie tray, then top with the remaining chocolate chips. Chill in the fridge for 20 minutes, until set.
Prep Tips
- Feel free to sprinkle a few mini chocolate chips on top of your cookies for extra chocolate flavor and a pretty appearance.
- If peanut allergy or nut allergies in general are a concern, you can swap out the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter. You may also want to check the packaging on the other ingredients to ensure that they are made in a nut-free facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do No Bake Cookies Need To Be Refrigerated?
No bake cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days. However, if you keep them in the fridge they may last a littl ebit longer.
No bake cookies also freeze very well – they’ll last for up to 3 months in the freezer! I recommend wrapping each cookie individually in parchment or plastic wrap and placing them in a large freezer bag. That way you can take them out to thaw one at a time.
To thaw frozen no-bake cookies, allow them to thaw to room temperature on their own. Microwaving will melt the cookies.
Can You Use Regular White Chocolate Chips?
For best results, I recommend using white chocolate almond bark or white chocolate melting wafers because they are formulated to melt smoothly. If using white chocolate chips, you may want to add a Tablespoon of shortening or coconut oil to help them melt more smoothly.
Are Rice Krispies Gluten-Free?
If you’re looking for a gluten free recipe, you’ll want to check the package of the cereal you purchase. At publication time, Kellogg’s Rice Krispies are not gluten free and they do not have a gluten free option. However, there are other brands of similar puffed rice cereal that ARE gluten free, so you’ll just want to look to make sure.
More Classic Cookie Recipes To Try:
- Maple Brown Sugar Cookies
- Sand Dollar Cookies
- Old Fashioned Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Raisin Cookies
- Oatmeal Lace Cookies
- Cake Style Chocolate Chip Cookies
No Bake Avalanche Cookies Recipe (Printable Recipe Card)
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No Bake Avalanche Cookies
Equipment
- Microwave safe bowl
- large mixing bowl
- Large baking sheet
Ingredients
- 16 ounces white melting chocolate or almond bark
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips divided
Instructions
- To Prep: Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
- Place the white chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second increments, stirring until melted and smooth.
- In a large bowl, stir together the melted white chocolate and peanut butter, until smooth.
- Fold the Rice Krispies, mini marshmallows, and ¾ cup of the chocolate chips into the white chocolate mixture.
- Scoop cookies out onto the prepared cookie tray, then top with the remaining chocolate chips. Chill for 20 minutes, until set.
Notes
Nutrition
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You might also like this no-bake recipe:
How can I follow Granny’s in the Kitchen? I love your o traditional recipes.
Thanks! For now the best way is to bookmark it and check back. We usually add about one new recipe a week. Sara
These are delicious and so quick and easy to make! I will be adding this to my go to recipes!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the Avalanche Cookies! Thanks for letting us know. Sara