With just 5 ingredients you can make a 9x13 pan of chewy, chocolatey-caramel, no-bake bars inspired by Little Debbie Star Crunch!
Don't want a whole pan? Make my small batch, microwavable Star Crunch Cookies!
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Homemade Star Crunch...but made easy with caramel chips!
Instead of mixing up finicky homemade caramel, these star crunch bars use a combination of caramel chips and marshmallows to get that gooey, sweet and salty texture.
I tested this recipe with Hershey's sea salt caramel baking chips, which I can usually find at Target, regular grocery stores, or bulk on Amazon (they're pricier online, though). The off-brand doesn’t taste as good or have a glossy texture, so just note that if you use a different brand the taste, texture and appearance may vary.
How to Make Homemade Star Crunch Bars:
- In a large saucepan, melt chocolate chips, caramel chips, and butter on medium-low heat, stirring constantly.
- Once melted, stir in the marshmallows and continue stirring until completely melted. This will take 5-10 minutes for the marshmallows to fully melt; be patient and don't turn up the heat! ;)
- Remove from heat and stir in rice cereal. Mix until fully coated, then press into a greased or parchment-lined 9x13 pan. Allow to cool before cutting, then enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you don't want a whole 9x13 pan, make my small-batch Homemade Star Crunch Cookies instead! It can be made in the microwave and makes 6 cookies (or to keep the bar shape, you can press it into a loaf pan!).
There are other star crunch recipes online that use homemade caramel (using corn syrup) or store-bought caramel candies. I used caramel chips for ease but you can totally try those other recipes, if needed!
Star Crunch Bars (5 Ingredients!)
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter unsalted or salted work, just not margarine
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 ¾ cup salted caramel chips This is a whole 10oz. bag of Hershey brand (see notes section below if using a different brand)
- 8 cups mini marshmallows This is the big 1lb (16oz. bag)
- 8 cups rice krispy cereal Get the 12oz box
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
- In a large saucepan, melt unsalted butter (½ cup, i.e. 1 stick), semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 cup), and salted caramel chips (1 ¾ cups) on medium-low heat, stirring constantly.
- Once melted, stir in the mini marshmallows (8 cups) and continue stirring until completely melted. This will take 5-10 minutes for the marshmallows to fully melt; be patient and don't turn up the heat! ;)
- Remove from heat and stir in Rice Krispy cereal (8 cups). Mix until fully coated, then press into a greased or parchment-lined 9x13 pan. Allow to cool before cutting, then enjoy!
- Fun tip: Just like my small-batch Homemade Star Crunch Cookies, you can also shape these into cookie shapes by scooping the semi-cooled mixture (warm to touch) into ¼ cup balls and then flattening into discs.
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.
Tracy says
So good! Used TJ’s salted caramel chips. Supunce we were out of Rice Krispies used slightly crushed gf cornflakes. The slightly salty chocolate caramel flavor was delicious and the texture was fantastic. This was a winner in my house! Thanks!
Melissa says
So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe, Tracy! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Diane Baughman says
This was my second time making this recipe. (this time I used the recipe for the large batch)They are excellent! The only caramel my grocery store carries is the Kraft Bits.
I did everything on the stove top. To speed things up I put my pan on medium and threw in the stick of butter. Once that was melted I added the caramel bits. Since the pan was already hot they started to melt pretty quickly. I turned the heat down to between medium and low. Once the caramel was mostly melted I added in the chocolate. (adding the chips later kept them from overheating) I also added about a half teaspoon of vanilla. I finished the rest just like the recipe said.
To shape the crunch mixture into circles I used an ice-cream scoop to place the mixture on parchment paper. Then I applied cooking spray to the bottom of a glass mug and pressed the mug lightly onto the crunch mixture. This made shaping them much easier and less messy.
Melissa says
I'm so glad you love this recipe, Diane. Thanks for taking time to leave a review!
Sarah says
These were so easy and delicious! Brought back childhood memories
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Sarah!
Amanda Rennolet says
Oh...my... Absolutely delicious! I used to eat mass amounts of these as a teenager lol but these are even better! I did add a small handful of caramel bits to enhance that flavor.
Melissa says
So glad you loved the recipe, Amanda! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Nicole Elam says
My husband just said this is one of the best things I've ever made. I agree!
Melissa says
Wow, what a compliment! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Nicole!
Sara Davila says
Would regular caramel work for this? Cuz i can't find those chips anywhere.
Melissa says
Yes, some people have left comments that they've melted down kraft caramels on a double broiler!
Sarah says
I don't what I did wrong, but these are hard as a rock. If we hear them for like 5 seconds it's a little better. They taste good, just need to be chewy.
Melissa says
Hi Sarah! Hard krispy treats are from either overcooking they mixture (your microwave may cook faster) and/or pressing them to be too compact. Hope that helps!
Ashley says
Yummy!!!
Melissa says
Thank you Ashley!
Deborag says
Yum
Sandy says
I can’t copy recipe star crunch cookies
Maiah says
I absolutely loved this recipe, it gives me the perfect consistency I need in making infused treats. I always try your recipes first; and am going to try to make the cosmic brownies next
Olivia says
Made this yesterday and it was amazing! I added chocolate chips on top tho!
Melissa says
So glad you loved them, Olivia! Chocolate chips on top are never a bad idea, love it!
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review - I appreciate it so much!
Brandy says
SO GOOD!!! My whole family devoured them!
Melissa says
I'm so glad you all loved them, Brandy! Thanks SO much for taking the time to leave a review!
Carmen says
OMG these turned out soooo good! I Followed your recipe to a T except I did use Kraft caramel bits that I found at our Walmart since they didn’t have Hershey’s, and they turned out just perfect. My family loves them! My daughter says they’re better than the little Debbies that she remembers from her childhood!
Melissa says
I'm so glad you all love them, Carmen! It's great to know the Kraft caramel bits worked well - I'll have to test those as I've had a few other people ask about them!
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review - I appreciate it so much!