In a matter of minutes and with only three ingredients and never turning on the oven you can easily make these sweet and salty addicting Chocolate-Covered Shoestring Haystacks.
This easy homemade candy recipe can be tailored to any occasion or season just by what you choose to sprinkle on top.
I embellished my shoestring potato candy using colorful autumn leave sprinkles (shown above) but I also used toffee bits (pictured below) to demonstrate how versatile these sweet and salty snacks are for year-round enjoyment!
Jump to:
- The ingredient list:
- Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- How long will it take to make this homemade candy from start to finish?
- Don't rush the melting process!!
- Can the chocolate be melted in a double-boiler instead?
- How to make chocolate-covered shoestring haystacks:
- What are some additional add-ins or topping suggestions for shoestring haystack candy?
- Additional homemade candy recipes:
- Printable Recipe Card
The ingredient list:
**Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience.
- Shoestring Potato Sticks
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- Toffee Bits (optional)
- Autumn Leaf Sprinkles (optional)
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- Microwave-Safe Bowl
- Spatula
- Cookie Sheets
- Parchment Paper
- Bakery Boxes (for gift giving)
How long will it take to make this homemade candy from start to finish?
Basically, as long as it takes you to melt the chocolate chips at a slow to moderate pace in a microwave.
It will take approximately 3 - 4 minutes to melt the chocolate, and another 5 or so minutes to stir and spoon the haystacks out onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
So, under 10 minutes. How's that for fast and delicious?!!
Don't rush the melting process!!
Trust me when I say "I've been there and done that" by trying to rush the process of melting chocolate in a microwave. It has ALWAYS ended in a disaster, and the price to pay just isn't worth it. Don't do it!!
Since every microwave is different, make sure to set the power level to medium-low and start the melting process by setting the timer in 40-second intervals.
After every 40 second interval, take the bowl out and give the chocolate a stir.
At first, the chocolate chips will look unchanged. Then, after a few more intervals, the chocolate will slowly begin to melt and become smooth, and glossy.
If you try and rush the process by melting the chocolate on too high a temperature, the chocolate will seize and become hard and gloppy. Once this happens there is no reversing its consistency, and the chocolate is no longer useable. Sad.
Can the chocolate be melted in a double-boiler instead?
Yes!!
Low and slow is still the key. Do not rush the process of melting chocolate!!
How to make chocolate-covered shoestring haystacks:
- Add shoestring potatoes to a large bowl.
- Pour in the melted chocolate and carefully stir until combined.
- Drop the chocolate shoestring potatoes by heaping tablespoons onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Sprinkle with your choice of topping (optional).
- Allow the chocolate to set, and then serve or gift.
What are some additional add-ins or topping suggestions for shoestring haystack candy?
- Raisins
- Dried Cranberries
- Dried Blueberries
- Colorful Sprinkles
- Red and Green Sprinkles
- Crushed Peppermint Candy
- Crushed Pretzel Sticks
- Peanut Butter
- White Chocolate Chips
- Butterscotch Chips
- Cinnamon Chips
Additional homemade candy recipes:
*Tropical White Chocolate Candy Bites (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen
*Chocolate Coconut Peanut Butter Bliss Balls from Apple for CJ
*Peanut Butter and Chocolate Granola Jumbles (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen
*Layered Chocolate Mint Bars from Drugstore Divas
*Chocolate-Covered Shoestring Haystacks (pictured below) This is the place!!
When you make this recipe, and I hope you do, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave a star rating on the recipe card and briefly comment on why you rated it as you did. FYI - Google appreciates recipe ratings and, in turn, will share my recipes with more people. Thank you so much!!
Printable Recipe Card
Chocolate Covered Shoestring Haystacks
Equipment
- microwave save bowl optional
Ingredients
- 9 ounces shoestring potato sticks
- 1 bag (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Assorted Sprinkles OR Toffee Bits
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl at medium/low heat (stirring occasionally) until smooth and glossy.
- Add the shoestring potato sticks to a large bowl and pour the melted chocolate over top.
- Stir gently until completely combined.
- Drop the chocolate-covered shoestring haystacks by heaping tablespoons onto a cookie sheet which has been lined with parchment paper.
- Sprinkle candy bits or colored sprinkles on top of each haystack while the chocolate is wet.
- Allow the chocolate to set and harden.
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's easy homemade candy recipe for chocolate-covered shoestring haystacks as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
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Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!!
Julie Evink says
I had never had the chocolate version of these before! I might never go back to my "normal" ones! YUM!
Renée says
Everything's better when it's covered in chocolate!! LOL