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:
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!
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!
So glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Morgan! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Haven't made them yet but it's my favorite cookie so I'm positive they will be great. Thanks for sharing
Spot on perfect recipe!! I got a bakers dozen.
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Ellen!
These are so quick and easy and yummy!!
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Julie!
I will definitely make these again. I doubled the recipe and it came out fine. I could only find Kraft caramel bites and they worked fine also. I just used a larger bowl. I melted the butter, caramels and chocolate first. Put the marshmallows in and stired them together. Then microwaved them in 10 to 15 increments until all melted together. Turned out awesome.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, Diane!
I just made these. They are so good! I wish I had more caramel chips at home to make a few more batches!
So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe, Julie! Thank you so much for trying it out and leaving a review!
Just made them! Super easy ! Thank you !
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Ashley!
This is a good recipe but I think it needs to adjustments to make it more like actual star crunches. More of the chocolate sauce would be a start. I also think there is too much caramel compared to chocolate and marshmallow.
Thanks for trying it and for your suggestions!
Used Kraft caramel bits because that’s all I could find and it worked out great. Added a pinch of salt to caramel/chocolate/butter mixture then microwaved at 50% power in time increments indicated. Mixture was gritty but after adding marshmallows, it smoothed out just fine. So the Kraft caramel bits do work just got to make sure to heat at 50% power and stir well after each heating of the mixture. Thank you for the great recipe.
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Candice! I really appreciate it!
Taste just like a star crunch and easy to make! Family loved them!
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Katey! I really appreciate it!
I made this using Great Value chocolate chips and the Kraft caramel bits. I would've used Hershey for both but my store didn't have either and I really wanted to try these. All was going good from what I could tell until I had to put in the rice crispy cereal. That is when I felt I needed more of the chocolate chip, caramel and marshmallows mixture. It just didn't seem like it was going to coat it enough no matter how much I tried mixing so I melted just a little more chocolate chips, caramel and marshmallows to add on and it definitely helped but now it just seems super super thick and different texture. Do you have any recommendations on how to mix in the rice crispies into your mixture? I really want this to be my new recipe as my husband practically lives off of star crunch and I'd feel better making them that way I know exactly what's going in his body.
Hi! I haven't tested this using the real caramel bits but it's on my list to do. My first guess would be maybe adding in a little extra butter & a splash of heavy cream to make it more runny. I will give this a test soon & update the post with the results!
The best no bake cookie ever!
I couldn't find the caramel chips so I used sea salt caramel ice cream topping.
Starcrunch were my favorite growing up. I haven’t had one in years. I made these on a whim and they are fantastic! I used the Kraft caramel bits and they took a little longer to melt (as the instructions warned they might) but it did not burn the chocolate or mess anything up. Thanks for a fantastic recipe. I can’t wait to share these in all my meal trains and with my kids.
Awesome to hear you didn't have any issues with using the Kraft caramel bits! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, Deana! I really appreciate it!
I just finished making these about 30 minutes and my family (4 kids and a husband) have just about devoured the entire batch! I’ll for sure be making more! AMAZING!! Better than the store bought by leaps and bounds! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe!!
Yay, so glad it was a hit with the family! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, Delaney! I really appreciate it!
Absolutely amazing!!! I don’t buy debbie cakes in my house but i always was a sucker for one before i knew how bad they are. I made these and they are delicious!! Even better than a little debbie. I could not find hersheys salted caramel chips. I read reviews and saw that the kraft caramel individually wrapped chews worked. I added salt to those. I just melted the caramel separate from chocolate then put it all together! Next time I will try milk choc chips for a more choc taste though!
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, Brittany! I really appreciate it!