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!
Nancy says
I made this with Kraft caramel bits and it turned out delicious. Making this again.
Melissa says
So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe, Nancy! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Renda says
I made these and they are so delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Renda!
Angi Elliott says
I sought out a copycat Starcrunch recipe so I could get an idea where to start in creating a sugarfree version. I was successful! My guys absolutely love them! Thank you!
Melissa says
So glad to hear you all enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for leaving a review, Angi!
Candie Crawford says
By far the BEST tasting treat! Super easy to make, easy to follow instructions! Will make again!
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Candie! :)
Addie says
This recipe hits the spot for an easy star crunch replacement! I had some dulce de leche that I made from pressure cooking condensed milk, used that instead of caramel chips tonight, turned out great!
Brenda Meredith says
I made salted caramels so I added extra chocolate chips, I also used chocolate crispy cereal. They turned out wonderful, thank you for sharing
Melissa says
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, Brenda!
Chelsy says
First time making these! I made a cake pan of these and quadrupled the recipe. Turned out great! Thanks again for sharing 😄
Melissa says
I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Chelsy! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review!
Sara Huhtala says
I looked everywhere for the salted caramel chips, and could not find them. Cannot even find plain caramel chips. So I improvised with a little bit of butterscotch chips. No need to grease hands to form into balls because the batter itself is quite oily. They taste good, but not like a star crunch. I’m wondering if milk chocolate might have been better? also does not have the caramel he doing is that a star crunch has.
J says
Looks amazing, can't wait to try it!
Vicky Kulak says
These were perfect snack for the kids! We are in the middle of a heat wave so I love the No oven aspect of these. Fast easy and so good.
Melissa says
I am so glad that you and your kids were able to enjoy these! And I agree, treats that do not require an oven are perfect for this hot summer!
Jessica McGregor says
Very nice and so simple to make
Melissa says
So glad that you enjoyed them Jessica, thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
Janie says
Yes I did for a last day of school gathering everyone loved them
Melissa says
So glad that everyone loved them Janie!
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!