Nothing says cozy holiday vibes quite like a sweet, crunchy, and utterly delightful treat. That’s why I’m excited to share this No-Bake Christmas Crunch Cookies Recipe—it’s an absolute lifesaver when you want festive flavors without heating up your kitchen or fussing over baking times.

A white plate sits on a white marbled surface, filled with clusters of light tan crispy cereal treats. Each cluster is made of puffed rice cereal coated in a creamy, smooth beige mixture that binds the cereal together. The clusters vary in size and have a rough, textured surface with visible individual cereal pieces clumped tightly. In the background, a white cloth with red stripes is softly draped, adding a pop of color behind the plate. 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 fell in love with this recipe the first time I made it during a hectic holiday season. It’s quick, fuss-free, and packs a nostalgic punch with its peanut butter, marshmallow, and crispy texture. Plus, it’s perfect for last-minute cookie trays or gift boxes.

Speedy and Easy: No oven needed means you're done in under 15 minutes from start to finish.
Festive Crunch: Rice krispies add that irresistible crunch everyone will rave about.
Perfect Balance: White chocolate and peanut butter create a creamy, sweet, and salty mix that’s addictive.
Versatile Treat: Great as a holiday snack or gift—and kids love getting involved!

The image shows many small, round clusters of light golden popcorn mixed with a smooth, creamy coating, placed on a baking tray lined with white parchment paper. The baking tray is gray with a slight shine, and it rests on a white marbled surface with a red-striped cloth partially visible in the corner. Each popcorn cluster looks bumpy and textured, with the coating evenly covering the popcorn, forming irregular shapes, all arranged neatly in rows on the tray. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays a starring role that coaxes out the best textures and flavors. I always recommend using good-quality peanut butter (the creamy kind really helps with mixing), and white chocolate chips that melt smoothly without graininess.

Flat lay of a small mound of glossy white chocolate chips, a smooth scoop of creamy peanut butter, a neat pile of crunchy rice krispies, and a cluster of soft white marshmallows, each ingredient arranged separately in simple white ceramic bowls, 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: These melt beautifully and lend a sweet, creamy flavor that pairs perfectly with peanut butter.
Peanut Butter: Use creamy for easier stirring and to get that luscious, nutty taste that balances the sweetness.
Rice Krispies: The signature crunch you want—light, airy, and keeps the cookies from feeling too dense.
Marshmallows: Add chewiness and festive fun; mini marshmallows work best if you prefer an even distribution.

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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 to tweak these cookies depending on the occasion or mood. Feel free to personalize the recipe by swapping in nuts, changing the chocolate type, or mixing in holiday sprinkles to amp up the festive cheer.

Variation: One holiday, I stirred in chopped pecans and a pinch of cinnamon, and it took the cookies to whole new levels—warm, nutty, and perfectly seasonal.
Dietary tweaks: You can swap peanut butter for almond or sunflower butter if allergies are a concern.
Chocolate swaps: Dark or milk chocolate chips work just as well if you prefer less sweetness.

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

Step 1: Melt and Mix Magic

I start by melting the white chocolate chips gently over a double boiler. If you don’t have one, no worries! Just simmer some water in a saucepan, pop a metal or glass bowl on top (make sure it fits snugly so steam doesn’t escape), and stir until silky smooth. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the peanut butter until everything looks glossy and fully combined.

Step 2: Fold in Your Crunch and Chew

Next up, add the rice krispies and marshmallows. I find folding gently with a spatula keeps the treats light and fluffy without smashing the marshmallows too much. Make sure all the pieces are coated well in the chocolate-peanut butter mix—that’s where all the magic happens.

Step 3: Dollop and Chill

Using a tablespoon, drop clusters onto waxed paper or parchment paper. Don’t worry if they don’t look perfectly shaped; they’ll set and firm up in the fridge. Pop them in for at least an hour to chill until firm, and then enjoy!

Top Tip

From making these cookies multiple times, I’ve learned a few tricks to keep things smooth and stress-free—here’s what’ll save you time and keep your batch perfect every single time.

Double Boiler Substitute: If you don’t own one, a makeshift setup with a saucepan and metal or glass bowl works amazingly well—just keep the simmer low to avoid burning the chocolate.
Gentle Folding: Mix in the crispy cereal and marshmallows slowly to keep the marshmallows plump and the rice krispies crunchy.
Wax Paper is Your Friend: Dropping the cookies onto wax or parchment paper prevents sticking and eases removal.
Refresh Your Chocolate: If the white chocolate starts hardening before you finish, just warm it gently a bit more to keep things smooth.

How to Serve No-Bake Christmas Crunch Cookies Recipe

Christmas Crunch Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a few festive colored sugar crystals or crushed peppermint candies right after dolloping the cookies for a beautiful touch that also adds an extra burst of holiday flavor.

Side Dishes

These cookies shine alongside a warm cup of cocoa or a rich, creamy latte. For parties, I love pairing them with a charcuterie board so guests can nibble sweet and savory all evening.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking them in a clear jar tied with a festive ribbon for gifting, or arrange them on a tiered tray with other holiday goodies to make your cookie spread extra inviting and special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store these cookies in an airtight container in the fridge, where they’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to a week. I’ve found this method preserves the crunch without letting the marshmallows get rubbery.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! Just layer them between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. When you want a treat, just thaw at room temp for 20–30 minutes.

Reheating

I prefer to enjoy these at room temperature, but if you want them a bit softer, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave works wonders without melting them completely.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use milk or dark chocolate instead of white chocolate?

Yes! Milk or dark chocolate chips can be substituted for white chocolate, but keep in mind it will change the flavor profile. Dark chocolate offers a richer, less sweet taste, while milk chocolate adds creamy sweetness similar to white. Either works beautifully with peanut butter and marshmallows.

How long do No-Bake Christmas Crunch Cookies last?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, these cookies should stay fresh for up to one week. If frozen, they can last up to 2-3 months. Just make sure they’re kept away from moisture to maintain that perfect crunch.

Can I make these without marshmallows?

You can omit marshmallows if you want, but keep in mind they add chewiness and a bit of sticky sweetness to the cookies. To make up the texture difference, consider adding extra rice krispies or chopped nuts for crunch.

What’s the best way to melt the white chocolate chips?

Melting white chocolate requires gentle heat to prevent burning. Using a double boiler or a makeshift one with a bowl over simmering water is ideal. Stir constantly and remove from heat as soon as it’s smooth and melted. Avoid microwave melting unless using very short bursts with stirring in between to prevent scorching.

Final Thoughts

This No-Bake Christmas Crunch Cookies Recipe has quickly become my go-to holiday treat when time is tight but festive flavors are a must. I honestly love how simple it is to whip up a batch that feels special and indulgent without any complicated steps or heating up the oven. Give it a try—you might find it becoming a holiday tradition in your kitchen just like it did in mine!