Name: No-Bake Christmas Crunch Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 oz white chocolate chips; 1 cup peanut butter; 2 cups rice krispies; 2 cups marshmallows

Nothing says cozy holiday vibes quite like a crunchy, sweet treat that doesn’t require turning on the oven. This No-Bake Christmas Crunch Cookies Recipe is hands down one of my go-to festive snacks because it’s simple, speedy, and bursting with that perfect mix of peanut butter, white chocolate, and marshmallow goodness.

A white plate holds about eight clusters of light beige treats that have a glossy, bumpy texture from what looks like puffed rice or cereal covered in a creamy coating. Each cluster is round and uneven, showing the small grains stuck together closely, creating a rough surface with small pockets and lumps. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, and behind it, a cloth with red and white stripes is partially visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make No-Bake Christmas Crunch Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve No-Bake Christmas Crunch Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
No-Bake Christmas Crunch Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly can’t recommend this No-Bake Christmas Crunch Cookies Recipe enough when you want something festive without extra fuss. It’s one of those recipes where the method is as delightful as the result—plus, no oven time means more moments for holiday cheer.

Quick & Easy: It takes about 10 minutes to prep and you don’t need any baking skills, perfect for last-minute holiday baking or an easy activity with kids.
Minimal Ingredients: The recipe uses just a handful of pantry staples, so you probably have everything on hand already.
Delicious Texture: The crunch from rice krispies and softness from marshmallows combined with creamy peanut butter make every bite addictive.
Versatile & Fun: It’s easy to personalize with different add-ins or shaped into festive forms to brighten up your holiday spread.

The image shows a baking tray covered with white parchment paper, placed on a white marbled surface with a red and white striped cloth partially visible. On the tray, there are several clusters of light beige, shiny, and bumpy no-bake cookies made from puffed cereal and a smooth coating, arranged in spaced rows. The clusters have an irregular shape, with visible small puffed cereal pieces creating a textured, chunky appearance. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

One reason this No-Bake Christmas Crunch Cookies Recipe is so reliable is the way the ingredients come together to create balance—sweet, creamy, and crunchy. Here’s a quick breakdown and some buying tips so you get the best results every time.

Flat lay of white chocolate chips in a small heap, a smooth swirl of creamy peanut butter on a simple white ceramic plate, a neat mound of puffed rice krispies, a pile of fresh white marshmallows arranged loosely, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

White Chocolate Chips: Choose good-quality white chocolate chips since they melt smoothly and add gentle sweetness without overpowering.
Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter works best here to bind everything together and provide richness; natural peanut butter can be used but might affect texture slightly.
Rice Krispies: These give the signature crunch and keep the cookies light—don’t substitute with other cereals for the best texture.
Marshmallows: Mini marshmallows melt slightly when mixed, adding chewiness and a festive touch.

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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.

Make It Your Way

I love mixing things up depending on my mood or who I’m treating. This No-Bake Christmas Crunch Cookies Recipe is so flexible that adding a personal twist is part of the fun—don’t be shy to experiment!

Variation: Once, I added a handful of crushed peppermint candy canes for a classic holiday crunch—totally elevated the flavor and made these cookies feel extra festive!
Dairy-Free Option: Try using dairy-free white chocolate chips and your favorite nut or seed butter for a vegan-friendly version that still tastes amazing.
Nut Allergies: Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter to make it safe for everyone while keeping that creamy binding texture.
Shape Fun: Instead of dropping by spoonfuls, press the mixture into silicone molds shaped like Christmas trees or stars for a festive presentation.

Step-by-Step: How I Make No-Bake Christmas Crunch Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Melt Together White Chocolate and Peanut Butter

I always use a double boiler for this step—it’s gentle and prevents scorching. Start by melting the white chocolate chips over simmering water, stirring frequently. When it’s smooth and glossy, quickly stir in the peanut butter until it's incorporated perfectly creamy. If you don’t have a double boiler, just improvise with a heat-safe bowl over a saucepan with simmering water. Hot steam helps melt without burning, just be careful not to get burned by the steam or bowl.

Step 2: Combine Rice Krispies and Marshmallows

Take your melted mixture off the heat and gently fold in the rice krispies and marshmallows right away. The marshmallows will start softening but won’t fully melt, which adds the perfect chewy texture alongside the crunch. Mix until everything is evenly coated in that luscious peanut buttery goodness.

Step 3: Drop and Chill

Using a tablespoon, drop dollops of cookie mix onto waxed paper or a lined baking sheet. Then pop the tray in the fridge to chill for about an hour, or until the cookies firm up. This brief chill helps them set so they hold together perfectly and don’t get sticky in your hands.

Top Tip

From my many batches of these cookies, I’ve learned a few tips that make all the difference between a perfect cookie and a messy one. Trust me on this, it will save you time and keep cleanup easy.

Use a Silicone Spatula: Mixing these cookies gets sticky fast, so a silicone spatula helps scrape every last bit from the bowl.
Don’t Overheat Chocolate: Keep the heat low when melting to avoid grainy white chocolate — low and slow wins every time.
Timing With Marshmallows: Add marshmallows last and fold gently so they soften but don’t completely melt, preserving that soft, chewy texture.
Cool Your Pan: Make sure your waxed paper or tray is cool and flat to keep your cookies uniform and easy to remove after chilling.

How to Serve No-Bake Christmas Crunch Cookies Recipe

Christmas Crunch Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle crushed red and green holiday sprinkles or mini chocolate chips on top before chilling—makes them look extra festive and adds a tiny pop of fun! Sometimes a light dusting of powdered sugar after they're firm also gives that snowy effect I love.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a mug of hot cocoa or your favorite holiday spiced latte. For a holiday party, I like serving alongside spiced nuts or dried fruit for a lovely mix of flavors and textures on the dessert table.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I arranged these cookies in a festive tin lined with colorful tissue paper and tied with a rustic ribbon—it made a perfect homemade gift. You can also stack them on a pretty plate and garnish with fresh evergreen sprigs and cinnamon sticks for an inviting presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge where they stay fresh and firm for up to a week. Keeping them chilled preserves the crunch and prevents any stickiness, especially in warmer kitchens.

Freezing

These cookies freeze wonderfully! I separate layers with wax paper and pop them in a freezer-safe container. When I want a quick sweet fix, I just thaw them in the fridge overnight and they’re good as new.

Reheating

Since these are no-bake, reheating isn’t necessary—in fact, I recommend enjoying them cold or at room temperature to keep the perfect crunch. If you like a softer texture, leave them out for about 10 minutes before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use milk chocolate instead of white chocolate?

You absolutely can substitute milk chocolate chips for the white chocolate, but keep in mind the flavor will be richer and less sweet. Also, milk chocolate tends to thicken faster as it cools, so work quickly when mixing in peanut butter and other ingredients.

What if I don't have marshmallows?

If you’re out of marshmallows, you can skip them or use mini marshmallow creme instead, folding it in gently. The texture will be less chewy but you’ll still get great flavor and sweetness from the other ingredients.

How long do these cookies last?

When stored in an airtight container in the fridge, these no-bake cookies last about a week. Freezing extends their life to up to three months if wrapped well and separated with wax paper.

Can kids help make this recipe?

Absolutely! This recipe is excellent for kids because there’s no hot oven involved. With adult supervision during the melting process, kids can help with stirring and dropping spoonfuls onto wax paper. It’s a fun and safe holiday activity.

Final Thoughts

This No-Bake Christmas Crunch Cookies Recipe is close to my heart because it brings the magic of the holidays together in a few quick moments—no oven required, just joy and deliciousness. Give it a try; I promise you’ll find yourself reaching for seconds and sharing smiles with every bite. It’s one of those recipes that becomes a holiday staple for a reason, and I can’t wait for you to experience just how easy and tasty holiday baking can be.