Easy Festive Bird Nest Cookies Recipe with Jelly Beans for Holidays
These easy festive bird nest cookies combine crunchy chow mein noodles, creamy peanut butter, and colorful jelly beans for a quick, no-bake holiday treat that’s perfect for parties and family gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (100g) crunchy chow mein noodles
- 1 cup (240g) peanut butter, creamy or crunchy
- 1/3 cup (80ml) honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (150g) mini jelly beans
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup (240g) peanut butter with 1/3 cup (80ml) honey and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and well blended, about 3–5 minutes. Warm peanut butter slightly if too thick.
- Gently fold in 4 cups (100g) crunchy chow mein noodles using a spatula, coating evenly without breaking the noodles, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add a pinch of salt and mix gently to balance sweetness.
- Scoop out spoonfuls (about 2 tablespoons or 30g each) of the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Press a small well in the center of each mound with the back of a spoon.
- Press 4–5 mini jelly beans into the center of each nest.
- Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes to allow the nests to firm up.
- Once firm, transfer the nests to a serving platter. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Notes
Do not overmix the chow mein noodles to keep them crunchy. Warm peanut butter slightly if too thick for easier mixing. Use fresh jelly beans to avoid cracking. Chill nests well to hold shape. Nut-free option: substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter. For vegan version, use plant-based butter and replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 7
- Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Protein: 4
Keywords: bird nest cookies, holiday cookies, no-bake cookies, jelly beans, peanut butter cookies, festive treats, easy cookies, chow mein noodles