Birds Nest Cookies

Birds Nest Cookies are the perfect easy spring or Easter dessert. Made with only three ingredients, and ready to eat in less than an hour, this no bake recipe is as easy as it is adorable.

Make this birds nest cookies recipe with your kids for a sweet Easter dessert that everyone will enjoy.

No Bake Easter Birds Nest Cookies

• Easy: This recipe only take 3 ingredients, and there’s no baking involved!
• Family friendly: Even little kids can get involved with the mixing and spooning.
• Fun to eat: Birds nests are crunchy and chocolatey, which makes them a hit with the whole family.
• So cute! These mini birds nests are so cute on an Easter buffet, or at place settings for a spring brunch.

How to Make Easter Birds Nest Cookies (Step-by-Step Directions):

To make things even easier for you, I created a simple photo guide below. For all measurements and a more detailed guide, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

Add chow mein noodles to a large bowl.

Place semi-sweet chocolate chips in a large, microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30 second intervals, stirring well between each interval. (Learn all about how to melt chocolate right here.)

Pour melted chocolate over the chow mein noodles. Stir to combine. Make sure the chow mein noodles are well coated.

Spoon the chocolate covered chow mein noodles into small piles onto a baking sheet prepared with parchment paper.

Use the back of a spoon to press down the center of the piles to create a dip for the center of the nests.

Add 2-3 mini Cadbury eggs to each nest.

Allow to set at room temperature for 20-30 minutes. If needed, move to the refrigerator for an additional 20 minutes to set the chocolate.

Substitutions & Adaptations:

This recipe is yummy on its own, but it’s also a fantastic base recipe to get creative with some change-ups

• Chow mein noodles: You can also use broken up pretzel pieces, corn flakes, rice cereal, shredded wheat, and flaked coconut. Just make sure you don’t pack them too tight, or it will be difficult to bite into.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Swap out half the chocolate chips for butterscotch chips, white chocolate chips, or even caramel nibs to change up the flavor.
• Mini Cadbury Eggs: These birds nests would also be adorable with jelly beans or a bird shaped marshmallow peep sitting on top.
• Add a quarter cup Peanut butter or Nutella for a rich flavor twist.

Essential Tips:

Don’t skip these tips – read them before baking to avoid any potential mistakes.

• Break up the chow mein noodles into smaller pieces if you want smaller cookies, or are serving them to kids.
• Make sure your bowl is dry when you melt the chocolate. Any water in your bowl could ruin your melted chocolate and make it seize.
• Use a medium to large cookie scoop to speed up the process, make your birds nest cookies evenly sized, and to keep your hands a bit cleaner. (This works best if you break up the noodles before starting.)
• Make sure your baking sheet is covered with parchment or wax paper. Otherwise, the cookies will stick to the pan as the chocolate cools.
• Work quickly when scooping, creating the nest, and adding the eggs.

Birds Nest Cookies FAQ:

Is it safe for children to make this dish?

Yes! Older kids who are familiar with using a microwave can definitely make these cookies. Younger kids may need a bit more supervision.

My cookies are too hard. How can I make thm easier to eat?

This recipe is based on the classic haystacks cookies, which are definitely on the harder side. But if you want to soften things up a bit, you can try the following:

• Add a quarter to a half cup of peanut butter or Nutella,
• Fold in mini marshmallows to add pockets of soft and chewy tastiness,
• Stir in some shredded or flaked coconut.

Easter Birds Nests Make Perfect Class Gifts and Party Favors!

Add one or two birds nest cookies to a zip top bag with a cute bag topper, and you’ll have an adorable and easy homemade party favor.

This is also a great recipe for kids to make as Easter gifts for classmates and friends. (Just make sure to double check your school policy on homemade foods and allergens.)

How to Store Birds Nest Cookies

Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

To Freeze: You can freeze your birds nest cookies too! Place the cookies in a hard-sided, freezer safe container like this one for up to 2 months. Use a sheet of wax or parchment paper between layers to help prevent sticking.

More Delicious Easter Recipes:

If you liked my Birds Nest Cookies, you’re going to love these other recipes:

• Hard Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot
• Pecan Crescent Cookies
• Apple Roses with Puff Pastry
• Candy Striped Jelly Bean Cake
• Soft and Chewy Almond Macaroons

Or you can check out all my Easter Ideas here.

---