No Bake PB Avalanche Cookies

These no bake peanut butter avalanche cookies are the ultimate quick-fix treat — creamy, crunchy, chewy, and loaded with all the right stuff. Imagine a perfect blend of peanut butter, white chocolate, crispy cereal, and soft little marshmallows, all in one dreamy, melt-in-your-mouth cookie. No oven needed. Just mix, scoop, and devour.

Behind the Recipe

This recipe was born out of a craving for something sweet, peanut buttery, and satisfying — without turning on the oven. A peek in the pantry revealed the usual suspects: white chocolate, puffed rice cereal, marshmallows, and a jar of peanut butter. A few stirs and scoops later, these avalanche cookies came to life. They’re a bit messy, wonderfully rich, and completely addictive.

Recipe Origin or Trivia

Avalanche cookies are inspired by Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory’s avalanche bars, which combine the rich flavors of peanut butter and white chocolate with the crunchy texture of rice cereal. Over time, home bakers began shaping them into cookies for easier serving and bite-sized indulgence. With no baking required, they quickly became a go-to for holidays, potlucks, and sweet-tooth emergencies.

Why You’ll Love No Bake PB Avalanche Cookies

One bowl, one spoon, and no oven. What’s not to love?

Versatile: Perfect for dessert trays, lunchbox treats, or holiday parties.

Budget-Friendly: Made with common pantry ingredients.

Quick and Easy: Ready in 15 minutes flat.

Customizable: Add chocolate chips, nuts, or crushed pretzels.

Crowd-Pleasing: A creamy-crunchy combo everyone loves.

Make-Ahead Friendly: Store beautifully in the fridge or freezer.

Great for Leftovers: Just as good (or better) the next day.

Chef’s Pro Tips for Perfect Results

Here are a few tricks to make sure every cookie turns out irresistible:

1. Melt gently: Use low heat to avoid scorching the white chocolate.
2. Stir fast: Once everything’s melted, work quickly before the mix begins to set.
3. Use parchment: Drop cookies onto parchment paper for easy cleanup and no sticking.
4. Don’t overmix marshmallows: Fold them in last to keep some whole and chewy.
5. Chill to set: Let them rest in the fridge for 15–20 minutes if you want them firmer, faster.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

Minimal effort. Maximum payoff. Here’s what you’ll need:

Microwave-Safe Bowl or Saucepan: To melt the white chocolate and peanut butter.

Mixing Spoon or Spatula: For stirring all the gooey goodness together.

Measuring Cups: To keep proportions just right.

Parchment Paper: For drop-and-set ease.

Cookie Scoop or Spoon: To shape your cookies evenly.

Ingredients in No Bake PB Avalanche Cookies

Every ingredient brings its own texture and magic to these cookies.

1. White Chocolate Chips: 2 cups — The sweet, creamy base that binds everything.
2. Creamy Peanut Butter: 1/2 cup — Adds rich flavor and smooth texture.
3. Puffed Rice Cereal: 2 cups — Brings crunch and that classic avalanche texture.
4. Mini Marshmallows: 1 cup — Soft, sweet, and chewy contrast.
5. Mini Chocolate Chips (optional): 1/3 cup — A touch of melty chocolate to balance the sweetness.

Ingredient Substitutions

Make it your own with these simple swaps:

White Chocolate Chips: Use almond bark or vanilla candy coating.

Peanut Butter: Swap for almond butter or sunflower seed butter.

Puffed Rice Cereal: Try crisped corn cereal or crushed graham crackers.

Mini Marshmallows: Use chopped large marshmallows or vegan versions.

Mini Chocolate Chips: Dark chocolate chunks or toffee bits work great too.

Ingredient Spotlight

White Chocolate Chips: The smooth, creamy binder that holds these cookies together. When melted with peanut butter, it creates a luscious coating that sets up beautifully.

Puffed Rice Cereal: The secret behind that satisfying crunch. It lightens up the richness of the other ingredients and adds airy texture to every bite.

Instructions for Making No Bake PB Avalanche Cookies

Get ready — these cookies come together fast and are dangerously easy to eat.

1. Preheat Your Equipment:
   No oven needed! Just line a baking sheet or countertop with parchment paper.
2. Combine Ingredients:
   In a microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate chips and peanut butter in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth.
3. Prepare Your Cooking Vessel:
   Set your parchment-lined tray on a flat surface for scooping the cookies.
4. Assemble the Dish:
   Stir puffed rice cereal into the melted mixture. Fold in mini marshmallows and mini chocolate chips quickly but gently.
5. Cook to Perfection:
   Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop mounds of the mixture onto the parchment.
6. Finishing Touches:
   Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate for 15 minutes to set.
7. Serve and Enjoy:
   Store in an airtight container or enjoy immediately — they’re hard to resist!

Texture & Flavor Secrets

These cookies hit every note: creamy from the peanut butter and white chocolate, crunchy from the cereal, soft and chewy from the marshmallows. And when the mini chocolate chips melt just slightly into the mix? Absolute bliss.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

A few helpful tips for flawless avalanche cookies:

• Use high-quality white chocolate for smoother melting.
• Let the mix cool slightly before adding chocolate chips to avoid melting them too much.
• Want extra peanut butter flavor? Drizzle some on top after the cookies are set.

What to Avoid

They’re simple, but here’s what not to do:

• Don’t overheat the chocolate — it can seize or burn.
• Don’t let the mixture sit too long before scooping — it sets quickly.
• Avoid overmixing marshmallows — you want some to stay whole for chewiness.

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 20
Calories per serving: 180

Note: These are approximate values.

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

These cookies are perfect for prepping in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or keep them in the fridge for a firmer texture. You can also freeze them in layers separated by parchment for up to 1 month.

How to Serve No Bake PB Avalanche Cookies

Pile them onto a dessert platter, pop them into treat bags for gifting, or stack them high on a cake stand at your next gathering. They’re lovely as-is but even better with a glass of milk or hot cocoa.

Creative Leftover Transformations

Got extras? Turn them into something new:

• Crumble over ice cream for a crunchy topping.
• Press into a pan and cut into bars for easy grab-and-go treats.
• Chop and mix into cookie dough for baked cookies with crunch.

Additional Tips

• Want them a little saltier? Sprinkle flaky salt on top before they set.
• Use a mini muffin tin to shape them into perfect rounds.
• Double the batch — they disappear fast!

Make It a Showstopper

Display them in a glass jar with a ribbon for gifting or line them up on a rustic wooden board with a drizzle of melted chocolate for a bakery-style look.

Variations to Try

• S’mores Avalanche: Add crushed graham crackers and drizzle with chocolate.
• Holiday Version: Mix in red and green M&Ms for a festive touch.
• Salty Crunch: Add crushed pretzels or salted peanuts.
• Vegan Option: Use vegan white chocolate and marshmallows.
• Nut-Free: Use sunflower seed butter and allergy-safe chocolate.

FAQ’s

Q1: Can I use crunchy peanut butter?

Yes! It adds extra texture.

Q2: Can I make these nut-free?

Yes, use sunflower seed butter instead.

Q3: Do they need to be refrigerated?

Only if you want them firmer — they set fine at room temp.

Q4: Can I use regular marshmallows?

Sure, just chop them up into small pieces.

Q5: Can I use almond bark instead of white chocolate?

Definitely — it melts beautifully and works well.

Q6: Are these gluten-free?

They can be if you use gluten-free rice cereal.

Q7: Can I freeze them?

Yes! Freeze in a sealed container for up to 1 month.

Q8: Can kids help make these?

Absolutely. It’s a great no-bake recipe for little hands.

Q9: How long do they last?

Up to 5 days at room temp or longer in the fridge/freezer.

Q10: Can I add sprinkles or candy?

Yes, fold them in with the cereal or sprinkle on top before setting.

Conclusion

These no bake PB avalanche cookies are proof that the best things in life are often the simplest. With creamy peanut butter, sweet white chocolate, crunchy cereal, and gooey marshmallows, each bite is a little avalanche of flavor and texture. Trust me — you’ll want to keep this recipe handy.

Print