With just 5 ingredients you can make a batch of chewy, no-bake treats inspired by Little Debbie Star Crunch cookies! No stove-top needed - simply microwave and enjoy a caramel-y & chocolate treat in under 10 minutes!
Love this recipe? Try my Big Batch 9x13 Star Crunch Bar Recipe or TikTok viral Homemade Cosmic Brownies next!
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Why I Love These Star Crunch Cookies:
- You can microwave in ONE BOWL! No messy stove-top needed!
- This recipe makes a small batch of 6 cookies, which makes them perfect for a quick after-school snack! You can also press the mixture into a loaf pan and cut into bars.
- It's the perfect 10-minute no-bake dessert or snack when you are craving something sweet & salty but don't want to spend an hour in the kitchen.
- I will argue that the texture is better in this homemade version; chewier and softer than the drier packaged version (which I swear they changed the recipe over the years).
- If nothing else, you'll get that nostalgic feeling of childhood eating star crunches & Homemade Cosmic Brownies!
Tip! If you want to make a larger batch, you will need to use the stovetop and a large pot to melt the mixture. For a 9x9 pan, quadruple the recipe.
Ingredients to Make Star Crunch Cookies:
This is just an overview, click here to jump down to the full recipe card for full instructions.
- ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup Sea Salt Caramel Baking Chips (I highly recommend Hershey's, which I can usually find at Target or regular grocery stores. The offbrand doesn't taste as good and one reader reported that a different brand had a higher melting point and burned in the microwave).
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 2 tablespoons butter (unsalted or salted work, but not margarine)
- 2 cups crispy rice cereal
How to Make Homemade Star Crunch:
This is just a step-by-step photo overview, click here to jump down to full recipe card for condensed instructions or watch my TikTok viral video here!
Step 1: Melt Chocolate/Caramel Chips
Add chocolate chips (¼ cup), caramel chips (½ cup), and butter (2 tablespoons) to a medium microwave-safe bowl (the bowl has to be big enough for the marshmallows to expand).
Microwave on 50% power (important!) for 1 minute. Mix, then microwave in 30-second increments at 50% power until mostly melted. My microwave takes 2 minutes total. It's okay if a few of the chips aren't fully melted, as they'll finish melting in the next step.
Important: If you're not using the Hershey's brand shown above, melt the caramel separate from the chocolate (or melt on low on the stove). One reader reported that they used a different brand (that had a higher melting point) and it burned quicker than the chocolate in the microwave.
Step 2: Add Marshmallows
Once melted & smooth, add the 2 cups of marshmallows (do not stir them in) and microwave for 1 minute at full power. The marshmallows will expand, so make sure you're using a large bowl. Mix chocolate/marshmallow mixture until smooth (again, it's okay if there are a few small unmelted chunks).
Step 3: Add Rice Cereal
Once smooth, stir in the 2 cups of rice cereal until fully coated. Allow to cool for about 2 minutes.
Step 4: Scoop & Shape
Once the mixture is warm to the touch (i.e. not too hot to touch) scoop mixture into ¼ cup scoops, roll into a ball (spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray first), and then flatten into discs. Do not pack together too tightly or your cookies may be too hard.
Place on parchment to harden.
Frequently Asked Questions:
I usually get the Hershey's Sea Salt Chips at Target but I've also gotten them at grocery stores or Amazon. During the holidays, they also have them in both the baking & seasonal aisle (back by the Halloween/Fall/Christmas stuff).
I've tried the Kroger off-brand kind and they don't taste as good. You can use them, but Hershey's is definitely better tasting and has a more glossy, chewy texture. If you're not using the Hershey's brand, melt the caramel separately from the chocolate (or melt on the stove on low heat). One reader reported that they used a different brand (that had a higher melting point) and it burned quicker than the chocolate in the microwave.
For the stovetop, follow the same instructions but melt the mixture on low heat.
If you want to double the batch you have two options:
1. Simply make the recipe twice in two separate bowls. You can't double the recipe in the same bowl because the marshmallows would expand too much (also, I've found that doubling in the microwave increases your changes of burning the chocolate mixture).
2. If you want a 9x13 pan of bars (or 24 cookies!) use my larger-batch recipe for 5-Ingredient Star Crunch Bars!
Always be sure to check your exact ingredients but this recipe can easily be made gluten-free with certain brands of rice crispy cereal.
Storage Instructions:
Store in an airtight container. When properly stored, these will stay fresh for several days.
Did you make this Little Debbie star crunch recipe? Be sure to leave a comment below with how you liked them!
Homemade Star Crunch Cookies
Ingredients
- ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup salted caramel chips Hershey brand (see notes section below if using a different brand)
- 2 tablespoons butter unsalted or salted work, just not margarine
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 2 cups rice krispy cereal
Before you begin! If you make this, will you do me a huge favor and leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe? This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Instructions
- Add semi-sweet chocolate chips (¼ cup), caramel chips (½ cup), and butter (2 tablespoons) to a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on 50% power (important!) for 1 minute. Stir, then microwave in 30 second increments at 50% power until melted (mine takes about 2 minutes total). Mix until mostly smooth (it's okay to have a few lumps).
- Once melted & smooth, add marshmallows (2 cups) - do not stir them in. Microwave for 1 minute.
- Mix chocolate mixture until smooth (it's okay if a few of the marshmallows aren't fully melted), then stir in rice krispy cereal (2 cups). Mix until coated and let cool for a few minutes.
- Once mixture is warm to the touch (i.e. not too hot to touch) scoop mixture in ¼ cup scoops, spray hands with nonstick cooking spray, roll into a ball, and then flatten into discs (don't press together too firmly or your cookies may get too hard). Place on parchment to harden.
- If desired, you can also press mixture into a loaf pan and make them into bars.
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe! This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Notes
- Simply make the recipe twice in two separate bowls. You can't double the recipe in the same bowl because the marshmallows would expand too much (also, I've found that doubling in the microwave increases your changes of burning the chocolate mixture).
- If you want a 9x13 pan of bars (or 24 cookies!) use my larger-batch recipe for 5-Ingredient Star Crunch Bars!
Leigh says
Very easy recipe. Worked up great. I will say, they taste much better the second day. The first day they taste like a chocolate rice krispy treat. The second day, after they firmed up, they were more like a star crunch.
Megan says
Fantastic!! Tastes just like a star crunch. I had to stop myself from eating them all lol amazing recipe!
Melissa says
I'm so happy you loved the Homemade Star Crunch Cookies recipe, Meghan! Thanks so much for taking time to leave a review!
Karrie Davis says
We absolutely love this recipe.
Melissa says
I'm so glad you love the star crunch cookies, Karrie! Thanks for taking time to leave a review!
Jim says
I followed the recipe completely, with one exception. I added 1/2 cup of Maxwell House Cafe Vienna instant coffee. I can't even begin to describe the flavor profile created. EVERYONE at the party wanted the recipe. Nope! Not sharing anywhere else but here.
Melissa says
I'm so glad everyone loved the Homemade Star Crunch Cookies, Jim! Thanks so much for taking time to leave a review!
Vicky says
I can not find the hersheys salted caramel chips anywhere. Any ideas on where to find them? I’ve tried Amazon, Walmart and Publix
Lindsey Causby says
I also had this problem. I went to Ingles, as well. I sub peanut butter chip. They taste like a crisp chocolate oatmeal cookie. Do you think a thick caramel syrup would work?
Elyse Shaw says
These turned out great! My husband loves home made nostalgic treats and this recipe nailed it. I used Trader Joes salted caramel chips and they melted just fine with the butter and regular chocolate chips.
Erika says
I've made this twice now! The first time was good but my family wanted a little more chocolate, so I added 1 1/2 teaspoons of cocoa powder! Amazing! Thank you!
Melissa says
I'm so glad that you loved this recipe, Erika. Thanks for taking time to leave a review!
Morgan says
These are by far the easiest and best treats! It’s so simple to make and lawd it’s delicious! We found sprinkling a little sea salt on them really adds something! Thank you for this recipe!
Melissa says
So glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Morgan! Thank you so much for leaving a review!