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.
Keli says
I made this 2 times once using semi sweet chocolate and once using milk chocolate chips, both times they were good the milk chocolate was a little sweeter. I also used cocoa rice crispys instead of plain rice crispys. Very good and super easy to make.
Melissa says
So glad that you were able to customize these and enjoy them Keli!
Thank you for leaving your review.
Anna says
I can’t find Hersey sea salted caramel chips :( out of stock everywhere!!
Melissa says
Nooo so sad! I do find them more prevalent in the Fall. Some people have made these by melting down Kraft caramels on a double boiler, so you might try that! I’ve been meaning to test that but haven’t gotten around to it yet!
Susan says
Delicious! I didn’t grow up with this treat, but this recipe makes up for it 😋
Melissa says
I am glad that you enjoyed the recipe Susan!
MK says
Thank you for this recipe – the REAL DEAL. So many folks posting for star crunch using peanut butter. YUK – i’m a true Little Debbie girl having grown up near the plant in Collegedale and there is zero peanut butter in them. Thank you for making a copy of the real original Starcrunch. LOVE LOVE
Melissa says
So glad you love them, MK! I try to replicate them as close as possible while keeping the recipe easy to make, so it makes my day to hear you enjoyed them as much as the real deal!
Sherry says
Can I use Kraft Caramel Bits?
https://www.amazon.com/photos/shared/YTKt55T7Rd-hZXDzLme2tg.q2ELrq4UE1X8po5Y82ajzD
Melissa says
I haven’t tried them yet but some readers in the comments have used them with success! You just need to melt them down separately from the chocolate chips.
Sav says
The salted caramel chips were hard to find so i used caramel chips, which were harder to use. Other than that, these were easy and delicious!
Melissa says
Hi Sav! I have heard from others that these have been hard to find lately. I’m working to retest the recipe using caramel bits and will update the recipe soon. Thanks for trying them out!
Mary Anne says
No not yet .but was wondering if adding 1/4 c of
Peanut butter..do u think that would make the mixture too mushy??
Melissa says
I think you could do it! It will probably affect the texture and make them a bit less shiny & gooey but I think 1/4 would be fine!
Justine says
Omg lol before being dairy free, star crunches used to be a favorite. I used miyokos vegan butter, enjoy life rice milk chocolate and OhNuts! Caramel chips.. I did it over a double broiler. I had to add about half a teaspoon of coconut oil to the caramel to get it to loosen up but wow! This is quick, easy and delicious!
Michele says
Very good and super easy. My 10 yr old daughter just helped me. I used Werther’s chewy caramels that I had on hand, surprisingly worked well. You do need to warm separately though as the note suggests.
Melissa says
So glad you loved them, Michele! That’s a great tip to know the Werther’s chewy caramels worked for you!
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review – I appreciate it so much!
Tomma Marcincuk says
Even though I forgot the butter, there turned out fantastic! A quick and easy microwaveable treat that is completely nostalgic.
Melissa says
So glad you loved them, Tomma! They really are a bite of nostaligia!
Thanks so much for always taking the time to leave a review – I see you & appreciate it so much!