I’m so excited to share this Avalanche Cookies Recipe with you because it’s one of those no-bake treats that feels indulgent yet comes together in a snap. What makes these cookies truly special is how the combination of peanut butter, white chocolate, and marshmallows creates a perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and chewy textures that just melt in your mouth. Whenever I need a crowd-pleaser for gatherings or a quick sweet fix, I always turn to this recipe—it never disappoints.

You’ll find that Avalanche Cookies are perfect for busy days when you want a baking project without the oven fuss. Plus, they hold up great in the fridge, meaning you can make a batch ahead of time and have delicious snacks ready whenever the craving strikes. Trust me, once you try this Avalanche Cookies Recipe, it’ll become your go-to for easy homemade treats that impress everyone.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • No-Bake Convenience: You don’t need an oven, which means less heat and faster prep.
  • Perfect Texture Combo: The marshmallows, peanut butter, and crisp rice cereal come together for chewy, crunchy, and creamy bites.
  • Kid-Friendly and Crowd-Pleasing: These are a huge favorite in my family and always disappear fast at parties.
  • Flexible and Customizable: You can swap chips or add mix-ins to match your taste or what’s in your pantry.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Simple ingredients come together here, and the magic is really about how they combine. Look for good-quality peanut butter and fresh marshmallows to get the best taste and texture in your Avalanche Cookies Recipe.

  • Mini chocolate chips: Freezing them before folding in helps them stay intact and adds those chocolate bursts in every bite.
  • White chocolate chips: These melt smoothly and mix beautifully with peanut butter for that luscious coating.
  • Creamy peanut butter: I like Skippy—I find it strikes the ideal balance between flavor and spreadability.
  • Rice Krispies cereal: Adds light crunch and keeps cookies from feeling too dense.
  • Miniature marshmallows: They’re the secret for chewiness and a little gooey texture that I absolutely love.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how this Avalanche Cookies Recipe is so easy to tweak depending on what you have on hand or your personal preferences. Feel free to experiment by swapping out chocolate types or adding nuts for extra crunch.

  • Swap the Chocolate Chips: I once replaced the white chocolate chips with dark chocolate, giving it a richer, slightly bitter note my family swooned over.
  • Use Nut Butters: Almond or cashew butter can stand in for peanut butter if you want to mix it up or accommodate allergies.
  • Add Nuts or Seeds: Try chopped pecans or sunflower seeds for extra texture and a nutty flavor boost.
  • Make It Vegan: Use vegan white chocolate chips and marshmallow alternatives to create a plant-based version I tested with success.

How to Make Avalanche Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Chill Your Chocolate Chips

First things first, line two large sheet pans with parchment paper or a non-stick surface of your choice. Place the mini chocolate chips in the freezer so they stay firm when folded in later. This little trick saves the chips from melting and makes for delightful chocolate bites embedded in each cookie.

Step 2: Melt White Chocolate and Mix with Peanut Butter

Pop your white chocolate chips into a large microwave-safe bowl and heat in 25-second bursts, stirring in between to avoid scorching. Once creamy and smooth, stir in the peanut butter until it’s fully combined. This creates the luscious base that coats the cereal perfectly.

Step 3: Combine Cereal and Marshmallows

In a separate big bowl, add the Rice Krispies cereal and slowly pour the chocolate-peanut butter mixture over it. Stir gently to coat every bit without crushing the cereal. Next, fold in the miniature marshmallows which add that wonderful chewy texture that really makes these cookies stand out.

Step 4: Fold in Frozen Mini Chocolate Chips

Let the mixture cool just enough to be barely warm—this prevents your frozen chips from melting too quickly. Then, gently fold in the frozen mini chocolate chips for those pockets of chocolate goodness. I recommend stirring carefully here so you keep the chips intact.

Step 5: Scoop and Chill

Using a 2-tablespoon scoop or measuring spoon, portion the mixture onto your prepared trays. Press an extra ½ teaspoon of mini chocolate chips on top of each cookie before refrigerating. Chill for at least one hour or until firm. I always serve these straight from the fridge—they hold together beautifully and taste wonderfully chilled.

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Pro Tips for Making Avalanche Cookies Recipe

  • Freeze Your Mini Chips: This keeps them from melting unevenly and creates nice pockets of chocolate in the cookies.
  • Don’t Overheat the White Chocolate: White chocolate burns easily, so microwave in short bursts and stir well each time.
  • Gentle Folding Is Key: Stir the cereal and marshmallows carefully to maintain crispiness and fluffy texture.
  • Chill Before Serving: These cookies set best in the fridge, giving them perfect firmness and flavor.

How to Serve Avalanche Cookies Recipe

The image shows a close-up of several dollops of creamy peanut butter cookie dough on a white marbled surface. Each dollop is chunky and light brown in color with a smooth yet textured look, topped generously with small, dark chocolate chips. Scattered around the dough are loose dark and white chocolate chips, adding contrast with their deep brown and bright white colors. The overall effect is soft, inviting, and rich, with the chocolate chips providing a crunchy detail on top and around the cookie dough. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 6.1

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a few extra mini chocolate chips on top of each cookie just before chilling—that little touch makes them look extra tempting and adds chocolate right under your nose. Sometimes, I sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt to balance the sweetness, which honestly blew my mind the first time I tried it.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk, hot chocolate, or even coffee depending on your mood. When I bring them to potlucks, folks love grabbing them alongside fruit platters or light finger sandwiches for a well-rounded snack table.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I arrange Avalanche Cookies in a festive tin with colorful cupcake liners for each one—it makes them look store-bought fancy and keeps them separated nicely. I’ve also wrapped individual cookies in cellophane tied with a ribbon for adorable edible favors that everyone raves about.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once chilled, I keep Avalanche Cookies stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator where they stay fresh and firm for up to a week. This also preserves the marshmallow’s chewiness and keeps the cereal crisp, which I find super important.

Freezing

If I’m making a big batch, freezing some cookies works well. I place them in a single layer on a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. When you want one, just thaw in the fridge or at room temperature for about 30 minutes. I love having them on hand for last-minute cravings.

Reheating

Since these are no-bake and served chilled, reheating isn’t really necessary. But if you like them softer, briefly warming in the microwave for 10-15 seconds does the trick. Just be careful not to melt all the chocolate and marshmallows too much, or you’ll lose that delightful chewy texture.

FAQs

  1. Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy in the Avalanche Cookies Recipe?

    Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will add a bit more texture to the cookies, which some people love. Just mix it in the same way and expect a slightly nuttier bite. I prefer creamy for smoother coating, but crunchy works just fine.

  2. Why do I need to freeze the mini chocolate chips before adding them?

    Freezing the mini chocolate chips prevents them from melting when mixed into the warm peanut butter and white chocolate mixture. This keeps the chips intact, giving you those delightful chocolate bursts in every cookie instead of an overall chocolate mush.

  3. Can I make Avalanche Cookies without marshmallows?

    You can, but the marshmallows add a signature chewiness and a little softness to balance the cereal crunch. Skipping them changes the texture quite a bit, but you could try adding a mix of puffed grains or another chewy ingredient if you like.

  4. How long will these cookies last in the refrigerator?

    Stored in an airtight container, Avalanche Cookies stay fresh and delicious for up to one week in the fridge. Just keep them chilled to maintain their firm yet chewy texture.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Avalanche Cookies Recipe brings together simple ingredients for such a stunningly delicious treat that’s easy enough for any day. It’s been a family favorite for years, and I’m confident you’ll enjoy making (and eating) them just as much as we do. Next time you want to whip up something quick, fun, and satisfying, trust me—these cookies should be your first stop. Give them a try, and you might just have a new go-to dessert in your kitchen rotation!

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Avalanche Cookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.5 from 98 reviews
  • Author: Lisa
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Yield: 35 cookies 1x
  • Category: No-Bake Cookies
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Avalanche Cookies are a no-bake treat combining creamy peanut butter, melted white chocolate, crispy rice cereal, and miniature marshmallows, studded with mini chocolate chips for extra bursts of chocolatey goodness. These easy-to-make cookies set in the refrigerator, making them a perfect quick and delicious dessert that requires no baking.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Mix-ins

  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips plus more for topping
  • 23/4 cups white chocolate chips
  • 13/4 cups creamy peanut butter (e.g., Skippy)
  • 2 cups rice krispies cereal
  • 11/2 cups miniature marshmallows

Instructions

  1. Prepare pans: Line 2 large sheet pans with parchment paper, foil, wax paper, or a silicone baking mat. Place mini chocolate chips in the freezer to chill.
  2. Melt white chocolate: Add white chocolate chips to a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 25-second bursts, stirring for 20 seconds between bursts, until completely smooth and melted.
  3. Combine peanut butter: Stir the creamy peanut butter into the melted white chocolate until fully blended and smooth.
  4. Coat cereal: In a separate large bowl, place the rice krispies cereal. Pour the melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the cereal and gently stir until all pieces are evenly coated.
  5. Add marshmallows: Stir the miniature marshmallows into the coated cereal mixture.
  6. Cool slightly: Let the mixture cool slightly until it is barely warm to the touch, ensuring the marshmallows remain soft but the mixture is easier to handle.
  7. Fold in chocolate chips: Gently stir in the frozen mini chocolate chips to distribute them evenly without melting.
  8. Portion cookies: Using a 2-tablespoon measuring spoon or cookie scoop, drop the mixture onto the prepared sheet pans, spacing them well. Top each cookie with additional mini chocolate chips (about 1/2 teaspoon per cookie) for decoration.
  9. Refrigerate: Place the sheet pans in the refrigerator and chill for 1 hour or until the cookies are firm and set.
  10. Serve: Enjoy the cookies straight from the fridge for the best texture and freshness.

Notes

  • Using frozen mini chocolate chips helps prevent them from melting into the warm mixture.
  • You can substitute creamy peanut butter with natural peanut butter for a healthier option, but the texture may differ slightly.
  • Make sure to gently fold the marshmallows and chocolate chips in to avoid crushing them.
  • These cookies are best stored refrigerated to maintain firmness and freshness.
  • Feel free to add a pinch of sea salt to enhance the flavor if desired.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 130
  • Sugar: 14g
  • Sodium: 70mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 16g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

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