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    Home » Recipes » Cookies and Bars

    Gluten Free No-Bake Haystack Cookies

    Published: Jun 25, 2020 · Modified: Sep 3, 2020 by Sandi Gaertner · 2 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Gluten Free No-Bake Haystack Cookies are one of my go-to easy gluten free cookies recipe. Salty pretzels covered in a Nutella and chocolate spread, coconut, and pecans. I love that you can make these without heating up the kitchen!

    Haystacks are one recipe I have loved to make. If you love no-bake cookies, you will want to try these gluten free no-bake chocolate oat cookies too!

    a gluten free haystack cookie on a plate
    Jump to:
    • What pretzel brands are gluten free?
    • Mix-in ideas:
    • Tips and Recipe FAQ:
    • Recipe
    • Community

    There is no gluten free substitute for chow mein noodles, so you have to think out of the box at times. When I need a crunchy ingredient, I often reach for our favorite gluten free pretzels.

    What pretzel brands are gluten free?

    There are several great gluten free pretzel brands out there! My favorites are:

    • Synder's Gluten Free Pretzels - and they come in lots of flavors.
    • Trader Joe's has a private label gluten free pretzel.
    • Gratify - they have several varieties.
    • Glutino - and they have yogurt and chocolate covered gluten free pretzels too!

    You get that nice crunch and the salty pretzels paired with the Nutella, chocolate, and coconut it is perfect. 

    fingers holding a haystack cookie with a bite taken out so you can see inside

    These cookies are great for playdates, packing in your kid's lunches, tossing in the freezer to have easy grab and go snacks on hand, and of course, the classic midnight snacking. 

    I have even whipped these up for potluck gatherings because nobody can tell they are gluten free! Even those who are not gluten free enjoyed this new version to haystack cookies. 

    Mix-in ideas:

    Here is where it gets fun. You can honestly mix in so many different ingredients to add layers of flavors to your cookies. I will give you some ideas but feel free to play around with what I list and see what is your favorite combination. 

    • Make these into butterscotch haystacks with butterscotch chips 
    • Stir in mini marshmallows or even dehydrated mallow bits 
    • Use peanut butter in replace of Nutella - or another nut butter could work as well
    • Toss in white chocolate chips 
    • Stir in a few rolled oats, don't do too many or it will dry out your cookie batter
    • Dried fruit would be a great addition 
    a tray filled with no bake haystack cookies

    Interested in more No-bake gluten-free recipes?

    • No-Bake Gluten Free Cheesecake | A Nutella based gluten free cheesecake that is creamy, decadent, and will melt in your mouth. 
    • Gluten Free No-Bake Brownie Bites | Here is a great brownie recipe to try. You can get a fudgy brownie flavor with no need to turn that oven on and heat your home. 
    • No-Bake Greek Yogurt Tart | Here you have a yogurt tart that is full of protein, sweetness, and such an easy dish to whip up. This is one dessert that is great for entertaining or a weeknight dessert.

    Tips and Recipe FAQ:

    Are chocolate chips gluten free?

    I use the Enjoy Life brand, I have become a huge fan of them. They are free of the top 8 allergens. So it is great having that to know I am safe when I go to whip into a dessert recipe like this. 

    Is Nutella gluten free?

    Nutella is gluten free! We enjoy Nutella a lot so we are pretty thankful :-).

    How do you store haystack cookies?

    You will want to keep them in a cool place because if not the chocolate coating can begin to melt.

    You can toss in the fridge if you would like, it will make the pretzels softer over time. Or store on the counter in an airtight container. 

    Can you make these dairy-free?

    You can make them dairy-free if you omit the Nutella and use a dairy-free chocolate chip brand.

    freshly mixed gluten free haystack cookies ready to freeze

    Recipe

    a gluten free haystack cookie on a plate

    Gluten Free No-Bake Haystack Cookies

    Sandi Gaertner
    You will love this easy no-bake gluten free chocolate Nutella haystack cookies. These are filled with coconut, gluten free pretzels, and pecans.
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    Prep Time 5 mins
    Additional Time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 5 mins
    Course Gluten Free Cookies and Bar Recipes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16
    Calories 237 kcal

    Equipment

    • Mixing bowls

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup Nutella
    • 1 cup chocolate chips
    • 1 cup shredded coconut *see note
    • 1 cup pecans *see note
    • 1 cup chopped gluten free pretzels

    Instructions
     

    • In a large microwave-safe bowl, add the Nutella and chocolate chips.
    • Microwave for 40 seconds and stir. Microwave at 25-second intervals after this, stirring each time to prevent your chocolate from burning.
    • Add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl and mix well to coat all of the ingredients in the chocolate mixture.
    • Lay a piece of wax paper over a cookie sheet.
    • Use a cookie scoop to drop the mixture into balls onto the wax paper.
    • Place in the refrigerator or freezer to harden. About 60 minutes in the freezer or 2 hours in the refrigerator.

    Notes

    1. Use unsweetened shredded coconut.
    2. You can use any flavor chocolate chip. I used dark chocolate chips.
    3. There are many brands of gluten free pretzels. Any will work in this recipe, but I would avoid the flavored pretzels.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 237kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 2gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 258mgPotassium: 82mgFiber: 2gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 29IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @FearlessDining or tag #FearlessDining!

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Christy

      June 27, 2020 at 2:35 pm

      Could you substitute with coconut with something else?

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        June 27, 2020 at 10:23 pm

        Of course, just use any other mix-in listed :-).

        Reply

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