These fun Avalanche Cookies are made with four simple ingredients: rice Krispie cereal, melted white chocolate, milk chocolate, and peanut butter! They are the perfect no bake treat!

close up of avalanche cookies on a slate tray.

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No Bake Avalanche Cookies

This is the best avalanche cookies recipe because they are full of rich chocolate and peanut butter flavor. And the texture provides a nice and satisfying crunch from the added rice cereal. It’s the ultimate treat if you are looking for no bake desserts to whip up in no time.

Why You’ll Love this Avalanche Cookies Recipe:

  • Easy Cookies: The hardest part about making these white chocolate peanut clusters with rice Krispies is resisting eating the entire batch!
  • Holiday Favorite: These no bake avalanche cookies are perfect for making around Christmas time because they are super easy, don’t require baking and can be made before any big event at least three hours in advance!

Trademark Note: In the spirit of transparency, I want to note that Rice Krispies are a trademarked product. Kellogg’s is a proprietary brand that I want to acknowledge and give credit to.

overhead view of a slate tray full of avalanche cookies with marshmallows and chocolate chips.
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How to Make Avalanche Cookies

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

  1. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Then, in a double boiler, melt white chocolate chips. Mix in peanut butter and remove the white chocolate mixture from the heat.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine and mix cereal and marshmallows.
  4. Pour the melting chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the ingredients in the large bowl. Combine and mix well.
  5. Use a cookie scoop to transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top of each cookie. 
  6. Allow cookies to set for at least 2 hours or until hardened. Then you can serve and enjoy your delicious cookies!
step by step photos for how to make avalanche cookies.
overhead view of a slate tray of avalanche cookies.
What are avalanche cookies?

Avalanche cookies are chewy no-bake cookies made from white chocolate mixed with peanut butter, Rice Krispies cereal, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips.

Why are they called avalanche cookies?

These cookies get their name because they look like snow-covered boulders and rocks.

Are avalanche cookies gluten-free?

No, these cookies are not naturally gluten free. Rice Krispies are not gluten-free due to the inclusion of malt. To make these cookies gluten-free, use a gluten-free certified crisp rice cereal!

How can I make avalanche cookies peanut free?

To make these cookies peanut free, opt for a different kind of butter, such as Biscoff, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter.

Can I melt the white chocolate for avalanche cookies without using the stove?

Yes! Instead of using the stove, you can place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it in 30-second increments, stirring often, until melted.

No Bake Holiday Cookies

Some consider these the perfect Christmas cookies because they can easily be whipped up with at least three hours notice. This makes these no bake cookies the ultimate treat to serve during the holidays because you don’t have to spend too much time on them. However, you can make this delicious treat any time of year!

overhead view of a slate tray of avalanche cookies.
avalanche cookies on a slate tray.

Make Ahead Instructions

Avalanche cookies can be made up to 5 days in advance of when you plan to serve them. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover avalanche cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Enjoy at room temperature.

Freezing Instructions

Freeze avalanche cookies in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

Substitutions

  • In place of the white chocolate chips, you could use milk, semisweet, or dark chocolate chips for a chocolatey cookie!
  • In place of the peanut butter, feel free to use a different butter, such as almond butter, Biscoff, or sunflower seed butter.
  • For gluten-free avalanche cookies, use a certified gluten-free crisp rice cereal.
  • If you can’t find mini marshmallows, you can use regular-sized marshmallows cut into quarters.
  • The chocolate chips are optional, and you can swap them out for white chocolate chips or flavored baking chips, if you prefer!
  • Try adding chopped nuts, such as peanuts or almonds!

Tips for the Best Avalanche Cookies

  • Be sure to line the baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Use fresh marshmallows! Stale ones won’t do the trick.
  • For a domed shape, use a cookie scoop to scoop the cookies. For flatter cookies, use a drinking glass or the palm of your hand to gently press the cookies down.
  • If your house is particularly warm, be sure to store these cookies in the refrigerator to keep them from melting.
a bitten avalanche cookie resting on a tray full of avalanche cookies.

I hope you love this recipe for avalanche cookies. Have you ever made white chocolate peanut butter cookies before? Let me know how they turned out in the comments below!

More Kid-Friendly Dessert Recipes to Try:

If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can also jump to recipe.

Recipe Card

Avalanche Cookies Recipe

4.75 from 12 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Set Time: 2 hours
Total: 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 21 cookies
Author: Becky Hardin
featured avalanche cookies.
Avalanche Cookies are simple and delicious, perfect for holiday parties and more. They're made of only 4 ingredients: chocolate, marshmallows, peanut butter, and rice krispies.
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Equipment

  • Kitchen Scale (optional)
  • Baking Sheet
  • Cookie Portion Scoop

Ingredients 

  • 12 ounces white chocolate chips 340 grams (1 bag)
  • cup creamy peanut butter 180 grams
  • 2 cups Rice Krispies cereal 56 grams
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows 43 grams
  • ¼ cup mini chocolate chips 44 grams, optional

Instructions 

  • Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
    overhead view of ingredients for avalanche cookies in white bowls.
  • In a double boiler, melt the white chocolate, being careful not to overheat it as it will separate. Whisk in the peanut butter and remove the mixture from the heat.
    12 ounces white chocolate chips, ⅔ cup creamy peanut butter
    overhead view of peanut butter added to melted white chocolate in a saucepan.
  • White the chocolate is melting, combine the cereal and marshmallows in a large mixing bowl.
    2 cups Rice Krispies cereal, 1 cup mini marshmallows
    overhead view of rice krispies cereal and marshmallows in a glass bowl.
  • Pour the hot peanut butter-chocolate mixture over the contents of the bowl. Gently mix until everything is well coated.
    overhead view of avalanche cookie dough in a glass bowl with a spoon.
  • Working quickly, use a medium cookie portion scoop to drop the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top of each cookie, if desired.
    ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
    a hand using a cookie scoop to scoop avalanche cookies onto a baking sheet.
  • Allow the cookies to set for at least 2 hours, until hardened.
    21 chocolate chip topped avalanche cookies in a baking sheet.

Video

Becky’s Tips

  • In place of the white chocolate chips, you could use milk, semisweet, or dark chocolate chips for a chocolatey cookie!
  • In place of the peanut butter, feel free to use a different butter, such as almond butter, Biscoff, or sunflower seed butter.
  • For gluten-free avalanche cookies, use a certified gluten-free crisp rice cereal.
  • If you can’t find mini marshmallows, you can use regular-sized marshmallows cut into quarters.
  • The chocolate chips are optional, and you can swap them out for white chocolate chips or flavored baking chips, if you prefer!
  • Try adding chopped nuts, such as peanuts or almonds!
  • Be sure to line the baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Use fresh marshmallows! Stale ones won’t do the trick.
  • For a domed shape, use a cookie scoop to scoop the cookies. For flatter cookies, use a drinking glass or the palm of your hand to gently press the cookies down.
  • If your house is particularly warm, be sure to store these cookies in the refrigerator to keep them from melting.
Storage: Store avalanche cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Serving: 1cookieCalories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 3gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.004gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 67mgPotassium: 96mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 187IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.75 from 12 votes (10 ratings without comment)
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2 Comments
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Jen
Jen
December 27, 2023 10:21 pm

I’ve made these a couple different ways now:

1. I substituted the peanut butter with SunButter due to a family member with an allergy. Still tasted great!

2. I only had almond bark on hand so used that in place of white chocolate chips. I prefer the batch I used the white chocolate chips. Much better taste!

Overall, great recipe. Super fast and easy if you’re looking for a quick treat.5 stars

sheri b
sheri b
December 13, 2023 12:39 pm

decadent5 stars