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 9×13 Star Crunch Bar Recipe or TikTok viral Homemade Cosmic Brownies next!
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 9×9 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.
- 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 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 (1/4 cup), caramel chips (1/2 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 1/4 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:
Where do I find salted caramel chips?
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.
What if I don’t have a microwave?
For the stovetop, follow the same instructions but melt the mixture on low heat.
Can I double the batch?
If you want to double the batch you have two options:
- 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 9×13 pan of bars (or 24 cookies!) use my larger-batch recipe for 5-Ingredient Star Crunch Bars!
Can I make these star crunch cookies gluten free?
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
With just 5 ingredients you can make a batch of chewy, no-bake cookies inspired by Little Debbie Star Crunch! No stove-top needed – simply microwave and enjoy a caramel-y & chocolate treat in under 10 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 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
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Add chocolate chips, caramel chips, and butter 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).
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Once melted & smooth, add marshmallows (do not stir them in) and microwave for 1 minute.
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Mix chocolate mixture until smooth (it's okay if a few of the marshmallows aren't fully melted), then stir in rice cereal. Mix until coated and let cool for a few minutes.
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Once mixture is warm to the touch (i.e. not too hot to touch) scoop mixture in 1/4 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.
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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.
Recipe Notes
Brand of caramel chips: If you’re not using the Hershey’s brand shown in the post above, 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.
Can I double the batch? If you want to double the batch you have two options:
- 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 9×13 pan of bars (or 24 cookies!) use my larger-batch recipe for 5-Ingredient Star Crunch Bars!
Storage Instructions: Store in an airtight container. When properly stored, these will stay fresh for several days.
Jenn says
This was perfect! We love star crunches but can’t find them anywhere nowadays. This made the perfect substitute. Easy to make. My 10 and 6 year olds loved helping. We couldn’t find the sea salt caramel chips you listed, but we used Kraft wrapped caramels and it worked just fine!
Melissa says
So glad you all loved them, Jenn! Thanks for reporting back that the Kraft caramels worked – I had a few other people say they used those…I gotta try those!
Thank you for taking the time to leave me a review – it helps my small biz so much & I really appreciate it!
Cassandra Anderson says
I was so excited that you were doing little debbie remakes and this is was my first one to try(i will be doing all of them). These were absolutely amazing! Literally tasted the same as the store bought ones. With that said, I was too lazy to go to the store to get caramel chips, so I made my own caramel. I just poured the hot caramel over the chocolate, butter, and marshmallows. With the liquid caramel, it was a lot chewier than I remember, but I think with adding more rice krispie it will fix that. Still an absolutely amazing recipe and I will be making them a lot!!!!!
Melissa says
I’m so glad you loved them, Cassandra! You’re a champ for making homemade caramel – I haven’t tried that with these but it sounds so good!
Jonathan says
I made this the first time using Kraft Caramel Bits which have a much higher melting point. I didn’t see your note about that before I went head first making a quadruple batch which was a disaster. I did do stove top though and burned the chocolate. If going this route I recommend a double boiler to prevent that.
The second time around I got the Hershey Sea Salt Caramel and everything worked exactly as described in your recipe. It always annoys me when someone makes substitutions and then trashes a recipe because it didn’t work so i didn’t want to be that guy!
My recommendation is to make this in small batches because even just doubling it becomes unruly in a microwave. It’s so quick it’s not worth the risk
Melissa says
I’m so glad you loved them, Jon! I saw your second follow-up comment, ha! I recently added that note so people didn’t try to double/triple the batch in the microwave LOL. I did just release a larger batch “bar” version of these that you can cook on the stove for that very reason!
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review & for being one that doesn’t blame the recipe when substitutions are made, haha! I appreciate your feedback so much!
Hannah S says
Amazing! Made for my husband’s birthday. He loved them.
Melissa says
I’m so glad you guys loved them, Hannah! Thanks SO much for taking the time to leave a review!
Jon says
I made these using another brand of caramel baking chips that had a much higher melting point than the chocolate causing the chocolate to granulate. I would recommend melting the caramel first and adding the chocolate after to prevent this. Either that or make sure you use the same brand called for in the recipe.
Melissa says
Thanks for reporting that, Jon! I will make a note in the recipe to be weary of other brands of caramel chips.
Jon says
Hahaha, I just saw you added a note to the recipe after making them again and leaving another review. Sorry I’m out of step.
This is recipe is better than the original by far! I’m going to be making a ton of these. I can only find Hershey’s Sea Salt Caramel on Amazon and it’s a little pricey but what isn’t anymore. It’s worth it!
Beth Meyer says
Hi! I have a block of caramel and was wondering how much of that would I use for this recipe?
Melissa says
I haven’t tested it with real caramel so I can’t say for sure how it would turn out. But you could try doing equal amounts as the chips. Let me know if it works!
Tammi J says
I am going to quadruple the batch, I would like to put into a pan to make bars. Would 9X13 work if I am making a larger batch? I would think 9X9 would be to small. I am excited to make this! I will comment once they are made with how they turned out!
Melissa says
Hi Tammi! A 9×13 should be great for a 4x batch! The only change is you’ll have to heat them in smaller batches if using the microwave (or cook on stove) since 4x the marshmallows would puff up too much in the microwave!
Let me know how they turn out! I’ve had it on my list to make these into 9×13 bars!
Mohamed says
Hi could I use homemade caramel instead of the the Hershey’s caramel chips? Thank you
Melissa says
I don’t think that would work for this recipe unfortunately since the texture would not be the same as the baking chips.
Albertina says
These cookies look very delicious and they also look very crunchy! Can’t wait to try it.
Dustin says
This recipe is well written and easy to follow. The whole family loved it. Thank you for sharing.
Melissa says
So glad you loved it!