These Easter Bird’s Nest Treats are a fun, festive and easy-to-make springtime dessert. They’re the perfect no-bake treat to make with kids or bring to your next Easter gathering!

These crunchy little nests are packed with flavor and charm. Made with crispy chow mein noodles, sweet butterscotch chips, creamy peanut butter, and topped with colorful mini chocolate eggs, they look just like tiny bird nests filled with candy.

They come together in just minutes and don’t require an oven, making them ideal for kids to help with or for whipping up last minute. Whether you’re hosting Easter brunch, filling treat bags, or just want a fun seasonal project this Easter dessert is a hit.

What to serve with Easter bird’s nest treats

These cheerful cookies pair perfectly with other spring-inspired dishes. Serve them after a savory Easter meal like ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans and homemade yeast rolls.

They’re perfect as part of a kid-friendly dessert table with marshmallow crispy treats, haystack cookies or pastel-colored cupcakes. You can even tuck them into Easter baskets as edible décor.

For a more adult pairing, these no-bake bird nest cookies go well with coffee or tea. Set out a tray for your brunch guests with a variety of other Easter treats, or wrap them up in cellophane bags tied with ribbon for a sweet homemade gift.

easter bird's nest treats on easter tablescape

Kitchen Equipment Needed

Large saucepan
Two baking sheets
Wax paper
3-tablespoon cookie scoop (optional)

(You could also substitute parchment paper or use a muffin pan to help shape more uniform nests if you prefer.)

Ingredients needed to make bird nest cookies

These treats come together with just four simple ingredients:

Butterscotch Chips: These give the nests a sweet, rich, buttery base. You can also melt milk chocolate chips, semi-sweet, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate for different flavor profiles or dietary preferences.
Creamy Peanut Butter: The glue that holds it all together! If you like, you can substitute natural peanut butter (just make sure it’s well-stirred and not too oily) or use almond butter or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version.
Chow Mein Noodles: The secret to the crunchy nest texture. These are dry, crispy noodles that form the base of the cookie and look like little twigs once coated in the mixture.
Mini Chocolate Easter Egg Candies: These add the final touch, transforming each cookie into a cute little bird’s nest. Use Cadbury Mini Eggs, jelly beans, pastel M&Ms, or any candy eggs you like.

Frequently asked questions about Easter bird’s nest treats

Below are common questions and answers I get whenever I serve or share these sweet treats. If you have a question I haven’t covered, leave it in the comments section. I will reply as soon as I can!

Can I melt the ingredients in the microwave instead of the stovetop?

Yes! Use a large microwave-safe bowl and heat the butterscotch chips and peanut butter together in 20–30 second intervals, stirring well in between until smooth. It’s a quick and easy alternative to using the saucepan.

drops of butterscotch candy treats on wax paper

use a cookie scoop to make a well in candy nest treats for Easter

Do I need to bake these cookies?

Nope! Just scoop the mixture onto a baking sheet, form the nests, add your chocolate eggs, and chill until set.

How do I store these Easter Bird’s Nest Treats?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. For a firmer texture, you can also refrigerate them. If stacking, use wax paper or parchment paper between layers.

Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes! Place them in a freezer-safe airtight container and freeze for up to two months. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving.

add chocolate mini eggs to butterscotch treats to make an Easter nest treat.

Are these treats healthy?

They’re a fun Easter dessert, so they’re more of a treat than a health food. That said, they do provide a bit of protein from the peanut butter, and depending on your ingredients, you may find small amounts of fiber, potassium, calcium and even vitamin C.

Always check labels for specifics on calories, carbohydrates, cholesterol and sodium based on your ingredient brands.

Can I use a different type of chip or nut butter?

Sure! Try white chocolate, milk chocolate, dark chocolate or semi-sweet chips. For the nut butter, almond butter, cashew butter or a no-nut option like sunflower seed butter all work well.

You can simply use a spoon to drop piles of the mixture onto the lined sheets. Then, use the back of the spoon (or your clean fingers) to gently press down and create a little well to hold the candy eggs.

More Grandma-approved recipes to try

If you enjoyed this recipe, have a look at some of these other yummy treats.

Let me know what you think of these sweet Easter treats in the comments down below!