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These homemade star crunch cookies are the ultimate Little Debbie dupe. Made with crispy rice cereal, melted chocolate, and peanut butter, they’ll transport you back to childhood!
Looking for more no bake cookie recipes? Try my no bake fudge cookies, no bake chocolate chip cookies, no bake oatmeal cookies, and no bake chocolate peanut butter cookies next.
Whenever my family would go on road trips, the moment we’d pull into a gas station, I’d run in to get Little Debbie Star Crunch cookies. If you know, you know.
Of course, I was clueless about all the hidden ingredients in those sugar terrors. My recipe has a shortlist of good-for-you ingredients and that same addictive crispy, creamy, and chewy texture.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- The perfect copycat recipe. I skipped the bad stuff and kept all the flavor.
- Fun to customize. Each of the 5 ingredients (yes, only 5!) can be customized to suit your dietary needs or make do with whatever’s in your pantry.
- Quick to make. Once you melt the chocolate, everything comes together in one bowl. The most time-consuming task is waiting for them to firm up in the fridge.
- Even better than the original. I hate to say this, but I bought a Star Crunch cookie not too long ago, and the quality is not what I remembered. My homemade cookies taste infinitely better and are WAY bigger, too!
★★★★★ REVIEW
“Very delicious! I love how it was recreated to be a healthier version. Thank you!” – Regina
Ingredients needed
- Crispy rice cereal. I used regular old Rice Krispie cereal, but brown rice cereal or any crispy cereal works just as well. If you need these to be gluten-free, use gluten-free Rice Krispies.
- Peanut butter. To add richness to the chocolate mixture. Feel free to use almond butter or seed butter to keep it nut-free.
- Maple syrup. My preferred sticky sweetener for this recipe.
- Coconut oil. Helps keep the cookies from being too crumbly and adds to the creaminess.
- Chocolate chips. Our starring ingredient. Use chocolate chips or a chopped-up chocolate bar.
How to make star crunch cookies
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prep. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add the crispy rice cereal to a large bowl.
Step 2- Melt chocolate. In a microwave-safe bowl or saucepan over low heat, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, maple syrup, and coconut oil. Stir until smooth.
Step 3- Assemble. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and whisk to combine. Using a large cookie scoop, drop cookie batter onto the baking sheet 2-3 inches apart. Press on each cookie and refrigerate until firm.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Grease the cookie scoop with nonstick cooking spray to cut down on the stickiness.
- Add caramel. The OG star crunch cookie has some gooey caramel in it. If you’d like that, swirl some store bought thick caramel over the top.
- Cut the carbs. Use keto maple syrup and sugar-free chocolate chips.
- Swap the chocolate chips. Use dark chocolate, white chocolate, or a mixture of semi-sweet chocolate chips and caramel chips.
- Swap the peanut butter for melted mini marshmallows for a more ‘traditional’ star crunch cookie flavor.
- For even more chocolate flavor, add one tablespoon of cocoa powder to the cereal.
Storage instructions
To store: Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want to keep them fresher longer, refrigerate them for up to one month.
To freeze: Transfer cookies to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 6 months.
More easy no baked desserts to try
Star Crunch Cookies
Ingredients
- 5 cups Crispy Rice Cereal
- 1 1/2 cups Chocolate Chips
- 1 cup Peanut Butter can use any nut or seed butter
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Line a large baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add your crispy rice cereal and set aside.
- In a microwave safe bowl or stove top, combine your chocolate chips, peanut butter, maple syrup and coconut oil. Melt until fully combined- If you use a microwave, melt on medium power in 30-second spurts to avoid over-heating.
- Pour liquid mixture over the crispy rice cereal and mix until fully incorporated. Using a large spoon or cookie scoop, drop crunch cookie batter on the lined baking sheet, about 2-3 inches apart. Press each cookie and refrigerate until firm.
Wow looks so crispy and not difficult to make. Can I also make with different cereals or this one only?
Instead of rice cereals I will mash some rice cakes. You think its the same?
Is there a reason why the star crunch cookies are 5 cups vs. the bars 3 cups of rice cereal as all the other ingredients are the same quantity/measurements in both these recipes.
Because the crunch cookies are flat and have a greater surface area.
Thanks for sharing your recipes.
Delish! Tastes like a Nestles crunch bar!
What could be substituted for coconut oil? We have allergies in our family?
Butter works!
Very delicious! I love how it was recreated to be a more healthier version. Thank you!
Star crunch
These are delicious! My husband and I both think they taste better than actual starcrunch! Super easy to make and I used sugar free chocolate chips. Wonderful! Thank you!
These were the best homemade star crunch cookies ever. Yes, it’s missing the caramel but that wasn’t the best part of the cookies anyway.
What kind of chocolate chips and maple syrup did you use? Made these last night and don’t quite look like yours. They wanted to crumble and not stick together that much, however they did set up.
Hi! I always chop up a chocolate bar or use costco chocolate chips. The maple syrup is the Kirkland brand.
Could one use WOWBUTTER instead of peanut butter?
yes you can 🙂
I followed the recipe exactly as it said. Th flavor,texture and taste was perfect, the only thing was that after the cookies cooled and i was bagging them up they crumbled, I let them cool on the table. Is there anything I could have done to get them not to crumble? Cannot wait to make again they were delicious even though they crumbled. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Hi Laura! You can try using less rice crispie cereal next time 🙂
There out of stock of the cereal on Amazon and might not restock. What could I use in place of that.
Is it possible to NOT melt the chocolate chips & stir them in at last moment so they remain whole? Or will the texture of the cookie be totally different?
I just thought visually they’d be more pleasing plus a wile chip is great to bite into
Many thanks
Kisi
Oh yes I remember star crunch cakes! The originals had caramel in the middle 😋 I’m going to try these very soon!
These look like a good idea. As far as the coconut oil, do I use the same amount if using butter?
Yes 🙂
These are amazing! Just happen to come across this recipe on Instagram. Used all my chocolate chips and maple syrup but it was worth it. The kids are licking the bowl now. I have to admit I did lick the spoon. Made these bigger than suggested because they are my hubby’s favourite!
Can I use dark chocolate chips or semi-sweet?
Of course! I recommend dark as the syrup is sweetened 🙂
These sound great! Do I measure the coconut oil before or after I melt it? My coconut oil is solid. Thanks!
Hi! Pre-melting 🙂
Just made these for myself and daughter … did 1/5 of the recipe. Amazing… soooo delish. I used to eat these little Debbie snacks when I was in school, haven’t had one in ages. Thank you for the recipe!
😀 LOVE IT!
Hey! Would you be able to substitute maple syrup for honey?
Hi! Sure can, but there will be a slight honey flavor 🙂
Hi! Can i not add the chocolate chips??
No, it is a key ingredient in the recipe.
How do you store these?
The fridge is fine!
Hi! I’m not a fan of coconut, is there a strong taste of it in this cookie from the coconut oil?
Hi there, promise you won’t taste it- you can use butter if you like!
Can you use honey instead of pure maple syrup?
Absolutely! 🙂
What kind of peanut butter did you use? Would all- natural give you the same texture? Thanks!
Hi! It should, as long as it is well mixed 🙂
Can canola or veg oil be used in place of coconut? How about honey in place of syrup?
Hi there! Is avocado oil or butter accessible for you? Those are the only two I’ve tried successfully. Yes, honey works great!
What would you substitute for the coconut oil? My boyfriend is allergic to coconut and I don’t want to use coconut oil.
Hi Melissa! Butter is the only tested option I’ve tried. Some have used avocado oil, but I cannot personally vouch for it : )
What can I use in place of coconut oil
You can use butter.
any vegan replacements for coconut oil?
You could try vegan butter 🙂
What’s the carb count on these cookies.
Feel free to calculate specific macros using an online calculator 🙂
Update: Actually I plugged in Armans ingredients and the calories were a bit higher but carbs were 1 gram less (29 g) and sugar was 3 grams less (16 guys). My BF loved these so I have to make more and soon.
Thank you!! I had no idea how to calculate this anywhere and was wondering about carbs!
Can you provide nutrition facts? I’m trying to see how these are healthy.
Feel free to calculate it using an online calculator 🙂
It says these are sugar free.. but isn’t there sugar in the chocolate? I buy those chocolate chips too but I’m pretty sure there is sugar. Can you recommend a good sugar free chocolate that is still dairy/soy/gluten free?
Hi there, Lily’s chocolate chips are stevia sweetened 🙂
I love the added crunch! Gots to make these!
I am also a total crunchy texture fan! Crispy cereals are no exception. Oh these cookies look delicious! You cannot go wrong with chocolate peanut butter treats!
I wish I could reach your crunchy crispy cookies through my computer screen! Sublime!
These are sooo good ! Just made a batch and they turned out great ! Nice light crunch with smooth chocolate flavor. Definitely will be making them again. Thank you for posting.
Can I make them without butter or coconut oil. I have high cholesterol.
Thank you
what Crispy Rice Cereal is Gluten Free? Rice Chex? Is that the only one?
Nope! This uses erewhorn brand, which is gluten-free.
Malt-O-Meal brand crisped rice cereal is also gluten free.
Cheers, Amy- Appreciate it!
These sound perfectly crunchy! Choc pb can’t be beat
My grandson is allergic to coconut.
Is there an alternative to coconut oil ?
Thank you
Pam
Butter works!