• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • My Craft Room
  • FAQ
  • Work with Me
  • Contact
  • Homemade Cookie Cakes

Design Eat Repeat

Food Crafting, Free Printables, Recipes, Paper Crafting, Graphic Design and more!

Display Search Bar
  • Printables
  • Recipes
  • Food Crafts
  • Party Themes
  • Holiday Ideas
  • About
  • Blog View

5-Ingredient Star Crunch Bars

Share
Comments 17
Last Updated:March 23, 2022Published:March 9, 2022
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links
Jump to RecipeRate this Recipe

With just 5 ingredients you can make a 9×13 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!

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:

Jump to Recipe
  1. In a large saucepan, melt chocolate chips, caramel chips, and butter on medium-low heat, stirring constantly.
  2. 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! ;)
  3. Remove from heat and stir in rice cereal. Mix until fully coated, then press into a greased or parchment-lined 9×13 pan. Allow to cool before cutting, then enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a smaller batch?

If you don’t want a whole 9×13 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!).

What if I can’t find caramel chips?

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!)

With just 5 ingredients you can make a 9×13 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!

Author: Melissa Rose
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 7 minutes
Course: Dessert, Snack
Category: American
Keyword: homemade star crunch, little debbie, cookies
Servings: 24 bars
Print this Recipe
4.87 from 15 votes
Did you make this recipe?
Leave us a review

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter unsalted or salted work, just not margarine
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 3/4 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

  1. In a large saucepan, melt butter, chocolate chips, and caramel chips on medium-low heat, stirring constantly.

  2. 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! ;)

  3. Remove from heat and stir in rice cereal. Mix until fully coated, then press into a greased or parchment-lined 9×13 pan. Allow to cool before cutting, then enjoy!

  4. 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 1/4 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.

Recipe Notes

Brand of caramel chips: I’ve tested this recipe with Hershey’s Salted Caramel chips, which I can typically find at Target (or I buy in bulk on Amazon). Take note that different brands may affect taste, texture, and appearance.

Small Batch: If you don’t want a whole 9×13 pan, make my small-batch Homemade Star Crunch Cookies instead! It can be made in the microwave and makes 6 cookies.

Storage Instructions: Store in an airtight container. When properly stored, these will stay fresh for 3-5 days.

Nutrition

Nutrition facts per serving (1g)
Calories: 214kcal
Fat: 7g
Saturated fat: 4g
Trans fat: 1g
Polyunsaturated fat: 1g
Monounsaturated fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 12mg
Sodium: 112mg
Potassium: 57mg
Carbohydrates: 37g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 23g
Protein: 1g
Vitamin A: 755%
Vitamin C: 6%
Calcium: 7%
Iron: 3%
Did you make this?
Tag me on Instagram @designeatrepeat or leave a comment below to let me know how it turned out! I love seeing what you’ve made.
  • Homemade Star Crunch Cookies
  • 5 Minute Scotcheroo Bars
  • Layered Shortbread Crunch Creme Peanut Butter Bars
Previous Post
Homemade Cosmic Brownies (Tiktok Viral)
Next Post
Homemade Oatmeal Creme Pies

Reader Interactions

17 Comments

  1. Nicole Elam says

    02/01/2023 at 6:18 pm

    5 stars
    My husband just said this is one of the best things I’ve ever made. I agree!

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      02/08/2023 at 7:06 pm

      Wow, what a compliment! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Nicole!

      Reply
  2. Sara Davila says

    12/20/2022 at 7:17 pm

    Would regular caramel work for this? Cuz i can’t find those chips anywhere.

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      12/20/2022 at 8:06 pm

      Yes, some people have left comments that they’ve melted down kraft caramels on a double broiler!

      Reply
  3. Sarah says

    08/12/2022 at 1:23 pm

    3 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      08/13/2022 at 3:37 pm

      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!

      Reply
  4. Ashley says

    07/04/2022 at 11:10 am

    5 stars
    Yummy!!!

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      07/05/2022 at 7:28 pm

      Thank you Ashley!

      Reply
  5. Deborag says

    05/10/2022 at 10:41 am

    5 stars
    Yum

    Reply
  6. Sandy says

    05/08/2022 at 12:21 pm

    I can’t copy recipe star crunch cookies

    Reply
  7. Maiah says

    04/21/2022 at 4:02 pm

    5 stars
    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

    Reply
  8. Olivia says

    03/26/2022 at 10:39 am

    5 stars
    Made this yesterday and it was amazing! I added chocolate chips on top tho!

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      03/28/2022 at 5:11 pm

      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!

      Reply
  9. Brandy says

    03/13/2022 at 2:15 pm

    5 stars
    SO GOOD!!! My whole family devoured them!

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      03/13/2022 at 6:22 pm

      I’m so glad you all loved them, Brandy! Thanks SO much for taking the time to leave a review!

      Reply
  10. Carmen says

    03/12/2022 at 12:48 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      03/13/2022 at 6:55 pm

      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!

      Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Welcome

I’m Melissa - a Graphic Designer & Paper Crafter creating easy-to-assemble printables, party DIY's, and food crafts for family fun.
Read More...

Freebies Delivered

Free Baking e-club

Trending Now

Fudgy Cosmic Brownie Cookies

Fudgy Cosmic Brownie Cookies

Cosmic Christmas Tree Brownies

Cosmic Christmas Tree Brownies

Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf

Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf

12 EASY Circle Christmas Cookies

12 EASY Circle Christmas Cookies

Christmas Cookie Frosting

Christmas Cookie Frosting

The Ultimate Moist Banana Bread

The Ultimate Moist Banana Bread

Favorites

Chewy M&M Cookie Cake

Chewy M&M Cookie Cake

The Ultimate Moist Banana Bread

The Ultimate Moist Banana Bread

Quick 1 Hour Cinnamon Rolls

Quick 1 Hour Cinnamon Rolls

Homemade Cookie Cake Recipe

Homemade Cookie Cake Recipe

Copycat Panera Chocolate Chip Cookies

Copycat Panera Chocolate Chip Cookies

The Best White Wedding Cupcakes

The Best White Wedding Cupcakes

Trending Recipes

The Ultimate Moist Banana Bread

The Ultimate Moist Banana Bread

Quick 1 Hour Cinnamon Rolls

Quick 1 Hour Cinnamon Rolls

Homemade Cookie Cake Recipe

Homemade Cookie Cake Recipe

Homemade Cheese Crackers

Homemade Cheese Crackers

Free Monthly Baking Challenge
Join Now!
Back to Top

Footer

Melissa is a graphic designer & craft stylist living in the Midwest, specializing in easy food and paper crafts for holidays, parties, and everyday.
Read More
  • Contact
  • Image Usage Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms
  • Contact
  • About
  • Free Printables
  • Work with Me
Copyright © 2023 Design Eat Repeat Site Credits Designed by Me Developed by Once Coupled