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🌸 These no-bake Bird Nest Cookies are the perfect spring or Easter treat! Made with crunchy chow mein noodles, gooey marshmallows, creamy peanut butter, and topped with candy eggs – they’re as fun to make as they are to eat! 🐣💐
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Looking for a fun and festive spring cookies recipe? These Bird Nest Cookies – also known as Robin Nest Cookies – are the perfect no-bake treat! Made with crunchy chow mein noodles, gooey marshmallows, and candy eggs, they’re a hit at Easter, baby showers, or any spring celebration.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No baking required
- Fun for kids to help make
- Just five ingredients
- Perfect for parties, gifts, or springtime snacking
Whether you’re hosting an Easter brunch or looking for an easy recipe for bird nest cookies, this one’s a winner.
🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions
- marshmallows – Mini or full-size marshmallows both work – just chop larger ones first.
- butter
- creamy peanut butter – Use almond butter or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.
- chow mein noodles – Swap with pretzel sticks for a saltier crunch.
- candy eggs or jellybeans
✨ Variations
- Chocolate nests: Add ½ cup of melted chocolate chips to the mixture.
- Colorful nests: Stir in pastel sprinkles or colored candy melts for an extra festive look.
- Nut-free version: Skip the peanut butter or use a safe alternative.
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🔥 Tips
- Work quickly when shaping the nests – the mixture sets fast.
- Use a muffin tin to help shape even nests.
- Grease your hands to prevent sticking.
❓ FAQs
Yes! These cookies keep well for up to 3 days in an airtight container at room temperature.
Freezing is not recommended, as the texture may change.
Nope! Room temperature is perfect.
Yes! You can melt ½ cup of chocolate chips with the marshmallows and butter for a chocolate version of the nests.
Try broken pretzel sticks, cornflakes, or even shredded wheat for a similar crunchy texture.
They usually set within 30 to 45 minutes at room temperature. You can pop them in the fridge to speed it up.
You can, but the texture may be softer. Use about 1 cup of fluff and reduce the butter slightly.
Yes, just make sure your chow mein noodles (or pretzels) are certified gluten-free, and check the labels on your candy eggs.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Avoid humidity, as it can make the cookies sticky.
Definitely! Just melt the ingredients in a larger pot and work in batches when shaping the nests.
Robin nest cookies are another name for bird nest cookies – named for their cute egg-filled appearance that mimics a robin’s nest in spring.
🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
Bird Nest Cookies
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Equipment
- wax paper
Ingredients
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 4 cups chow mein noodles
- 36 candy eggs or jellybeans
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with wax paper and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, combine the marshmallows, butter, and peanut butter.
- Heat over medium, stirring often, until everything is melted and smooth.
- Remove from heat. Quickly stir in the chow mein noodles until well coated.
- Lightly butter your hands or spray them with cooking spray.
- Scoop and shape the mixture into 12 small nests on the prepared lined baking sheet.
- While the mixture is still soft, press 3 candy eggs or jellybeans into the center of each nest.
- Let the nests sit at room temperature until they are firm.
Notes
- Yield: Makes about 12 nests, depending on how large you shape them.
- Hands-on Time: About 15–20 minutes.
- Set Time: Let cool at room temperature for 30–45 minutes, or refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- No-bake: Perfect for warm-weather days or when you want a quick treat without turning on the oven.
- Shaping tip: Use a greased spoon or a muffin tin to help form consistent nests.
- Sticky fingers? Butter or spray your hands lightly with cooking spray before shaping the nests.
- Allergy-friendly option: Use sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version and gluten-free noodles if needed.
- Kid-friendly: Great for little hands – just make sure an adult handles the stovetop step.
- Customizable: Swap the candy eggs for jellybeans, mini chocolate eggs, or your favorite seasonal candy.
- Presentation tip: Place each nest in a pastel cupcake liner for a cute, giftable look.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Originally published on March 24, 2015. Updated on March 27, 2025.
I love that you took a special childhood memory and turned it into a treat for your kids (a way to share it I know they appreciated, haha!) It turned out adorable! #client
What a cute idea… I'll need to make these for Emily!
Your spring treats are so cute! Love these little cups.
Okay this is a great idea! I've seen the robin's nest treats done before but never thought of putting them in pudding cups! Brilliant idea! I am pinning this to my Easter board! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for posting such a lovely recipe on YG! It is gorgeous. As the new co-owners, we hope you will continue to submit – we are expanding and upgrading everything and even have a new mobile app for android! Kelli at Yum Goggle