This copycat recipe for homemade Little Debbie star crunch is made with crispy rice cereal, chocolate and peanut butter! No baking required, you only need 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to make- Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free.
We love our no bake cookie recipes around here. Our favorites include no bake oatmeal cookies, chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies and these no bake crunch cookies.
Little Debbie Star Crunch were my gas station pick- Whenever the hunger pangs hit and I wanted a sweet treat, I’d ALWAYS reach for a Star Crunch.
Similar to a chocolate rice krispie treat, I wanted to make my own homemade and healthier version.
Instead of using butter, sugar and hydrogenated palm oil, I used healthy swaps, that just happen to be refined sugar free, vegan and gluten free!
Taste wise, they are sweet and loaded with chocolate flavor, with hints of a light caramel.
Texture wise, they are crispy, crunchy, and creamy- hitting ALL the textures at once.
How to make star crunch cookies
Making homemade star crunch is super simple. You start by combining all your ingredients, except for your rice cereal, into a large, microwave safe bowl. Then, you’ll microwave everything until the chocolate chips and peanut butter have melted. Whisk the mixture together, until glossy and shiny. Next, you’ll add your crispy rice cereal and mix very well, until all the cereal is evenly coated in the chocolate mixture.
Finally, you’ll line a large baking tray or plate with parchment paper. Using a spoon, drop spoonfuls of the star crunch mixture onto the parchment paper. Repeat until all the mixture is used up, and refrigerate it until firm.
Star Crunch Cookies Ingredients (and substitution ideas!)
- Crispy Rice Cereal
- Peanut Butter
- Maple Syrup
- Coconut Oil
- Chocolate Chips
Crispy Cereal
The cereal part is key, as using the wrong type with yield soggy cookies or soften once the chocolate and peanut butter are added. I used crispy brown rice cereal, which is a gluten-free, vegan, and generally flavor-free cereal, perfect for this recipe.
You would be best to stick to other ‘like’ cereals, like rice pops, rice bubbles or another crispy rice cereal. While they may be a little more processed than other cereals on the market, they won’t go limp once firmed up.
Peanut Butter
To amp up the ‘crunch’ factor, I love using crunchy peanut butter. To be completely honest, I would use crunchy peanut butter regardless, as I prefer it over the smooth kind. If you only have smooth nut butter on hand, that works just as fine. Alternatively, you can keep this peanut free by using almond butter or keep it nut-free, by using sunflower seed butter.
Chocolate Chips
The final key ingredient is, of course, the chocolate. I typically use these chocolate chips, which happen to be naturally vegan, dairy free, gluten free and nut free. Even if I don’t have allergies, I’d still use this chocolate, as the taste is fantastic and it melts beautifully- something I have had trouble with in the past.
If you want to keep this completely sugar free, I give a thumbs up to these stevia-sweetened chocolate chips. Otherwise, ensure that the chocolate you do end up using is of the ‘baking’ sort. If you use a generic candy bar, it simply won’t melt and end up being chalky.
Maple Syrup
I really do believe these added two ingredients really make a difference in both taste and texture but as mentioned, they aren’t necessary. I opted to use pure maple syrup, but friends who follow a sugar-free lifestyle, this is my go-to.
Coconut Oil
The coconut oil helps keep the cookies from being a little TOO crumbly, but also adds to the creaminess.
If you want to skip out on the coconut oil, you can sub it for butter or grass-fed butter.
Storage Tips
- To store: Leftover star crunch cookies can keep at room temperature, in a sealable container, for up to 1 week. They will keep much longer when stored in the refrigerator, for at least 1 month.
- To freeze: Star Crunch can be stored in the freezer, in a ziplock bag or freezer friendly container. They will freeze well for up to 6 months.
More EASY No Bake Desserts
- Caramel Cookie Dough Bars
- Peanut Butter Balls
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
- Cheesecake
- Chocolate Cheesecake
Homemade Star Crunch Cookies (5 Ingredients!)
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.
Notes
Nutrition
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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!