Old Glory Haystacks Candy
These Old Glory Haystacks are such a fun and patriotic treat for the 4th of July! They’re as simple as can be, needing just 10 minutes of your time to prep and about 20 minutes to chill. This candy offers the perfect sweet and savory combination, featuring crunchy chow mein noodles and cocktail peanuts coated in sweet white candy and topped with patriotic sprinkles.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Recipe Name: Old Glory Haystacks Candy
- Ready In: 30 minutes
- Serves: 12
- Main Ingredients: chow mein noodles, cocktail peanuts, 12-ounce bag Wilton bright white candy melts or white almond bark, patriotic sprinkles of your choice, red and blue candy melts, optional
- Why You'll Love It: Old Glory Haystacks Candy are the perfect sweet and savory combination, with chow mein noodles and peanuts coated in candy and sprinkles.
The Easiest 4th of July Dessert
I’ve shared several fun and festive 4th of July recipes on Southern Plate, like patriotic Oreo cream cheese balls, punch bowl cake, and red, white, and blue spritzers, to name a few. This haystacks candy recipe fits right in, and I just know you’re going to love them.
It’s so quick and easy, using just four ingredients: chow mein noodles, cocktail peanuts, white chocolate/candy/almond bark, and red and blue sprinkles. All you have to do is melt the candy, combine it with the noodles and peanuts in a bowl, and then place the haystacks on a baking sheet to set. Add sprinkles and red and blue candy drizzle if you like. That’s it!
I love that they don’t heat up my house or keep me in the kitchen for hours. This gives me more time to enjoy the festivities, which is a big bonus. If you can’t get enough of sweet and savory combinations, this recipe is for you. You’re going to love the flavor and texture of the noodles and salted peanuts combined with the sweet candy. I know I do!
Reader Rating
“Made these for the 4th, and I used almond bark. They came out great. I had some fun red and blue sprinkles to put on top, didn’t do the red and blue melts for drizzle… but everyone loved them!” – Michelle
Recipe Ingredients
- Chow mein noodles
- Cocktail peanuts
- White candy melts (or white almond bark)
- Patriotic sprinkles
- Red and blue candy melts (optional)
Try These Tasty Tweaks!
- Traditional Haystacks: For a classic butterscotch chow mein candy, use 1 cup of butterscotch chips instead of white candy. You can also stir in 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter for extra richness.
- Different Nuts: Swap the peanuts for other chopped nuts, such as slivered almonds, cashews, pecans, or walnuts.
- Nut-Free Version: For a peanut allergy, use mini marshmallows or candy-coated chocolates (like M&Ms) instead of nuts.
- Chocolate Options: Instead of white candy, try white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or even peanut butter chips.
- Extra Crunch: Replace half of the chow mein noodles with a crunchy cereal like Golden Grahams.
- Holiday Themes: Customize your haystacks for any holiday by using different colored sprinkles, like red and green for Christmas or pastels for Easter.
How to Make Old Glory Haystacks Candy
1. Mix Noodles & Peanuts
Let’s get started by lining a large cookie sheet with wax or parchment paper.
After that, place your chow mein noodles and peanuts (if you’re using them!) in a large bowl. Gently mix and set that aside.
2. Melt Chocolate
Now, melt your white candy melts or almond bark by placing them in a separate microwave-safe bowl. Microwaving in 45-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth and creamy.
3. Coat & Sprinkle
Pour over the noodles and stir well to coat.
Then immediately spoon out haystacks onto a waxed-paper or parchment-lined baking sheet. Make sure you sprinkle patriotic sprinkles while they’re still warm!
Note: If you’d like, you can melt some blue or red candy coating and do a light drizzle on each one. Melt them as you did the white candy above.
Let them sit at room temperature or in the fridge for at least 20 minutes until hardened before serving.
Serve as is or with a cute little American flag cupcake topper. Enjoy!
Storage
You can store the haystacks in a single layer in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
They also freeze really well too. Place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months and let them thaw at room temperature before serving.
Old Glory Haystacks Candy FAQs
Yes, you sure can! If you can’t get your hands on any chow mein noodles, some thin, salty pretzel sticks broken into pieces will work just fine. I’ve also seen folks use things like shredded coconut, shoestring potatoes, or even crispy cereals like cornflakes or crispy rice.
Yes, you can, but I’d recommend sticking with candy melts if possible. Chocolate chips have a different composition and might not set up as firm as candy melts do. If you do use them, you might need to add a little bit of coconut oil or shortening to help them melt smoothly and harden properly. Also, make sure to store the haystacks in the fridge.
For a pretty drizzle, my go-to trick is to melt the red and blue candy melts in separate small bags. Once they’re melted, I just snip a tiny corner off each bag and drizzle away. This gives you way more control than using a spoon. You can go for zig-zags, stripes, or whatever pattern you think looks festive.
But wait! Here are more patriotic treats:
Did these haystacks make a star-spangled splash at your 4th of July party? Drop a rating and a comment to share your story!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Chow Mein noodles
- 1 cup cocktail peanuts optional; use an additional cup of chow mien noodles
- 1 12-ounce bag Wilton bright white candy melts or white almond bark
- Patriotic sprinkles of your choice
- Red and blue candy melts optional
Instructions
- Line a large cookie sheet with wax or parchment paper. Set aside.
- Add the chow mein noodles and cocktail peanuts (if using) to a large bowl. Gently toss to mix and set aside.1 ½ cups Chow Mein noodles, 1 cup cocktail peanuts
- Place candy melts in a large microwave-safe bowl. Heat at 45-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth and creamy.1 12-ounce bag Wilton bright white candy melts
- Pour the melted white chocolate on top of the peanuts and chow mein noodles and stir until completely coated.
- Drop spoonfuls onto the waxed paper-lined baking sheet and immediately top with patriotic sprinkles. Chill for 20 minutes to allow the chocolate to harden.Patriotic sprinkles of your choice, Red and blue candy melts
Notes
- Optional: In a small microwave bowl, microwave the red or blue candy melts for 45 seconds. Stir until melted. Drizzle the melted red chocolate over half of the haystacks. Sprinkle with red, white, and blue star-shaped sprinkles.
- Optional: Before serving, place a cupcake flag topper into each haystack.
- You can store the haystacks in a single layer in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Made these for the 4th and I used almond bark. They came out great. I had some fun red and blue sprinkles to put on top, didn’t do the red and blue melts for drizzle… but everyone loved them!
Christy, thank you so much for your heartfelt, honest posts, as well as your wonderful recipes! <3 I have a question about Wilton candy melts…we simply cannot make them work :/ What are we doing wrong? Thank you in advance!
Hmm, what is happening exactly? My first thought is that moisture in the candy melts causes them to clot and seize up. If you explain what is going on I can be of more help but if it is that, it may just be really humid in your area. Also, if you stir them with a spoon with even a drop of water or if there is a single drop of water in the bowl, that will cause serious issues.
Bummer! These look nice and patriotic, but I’d have to leave out the peanuts, as I can’t have them. My mother made these for decades, but with butterscotch chips instead of the white candy melts. They were great, but not patriotic for the 4th. I do occasionally make them without the peanuts, but they aren’t the same. 8(
Happy 4th to you and your family!
Use cheerios instead,