Homemade Kit Kat Bars
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My homemade Kit Kat bars need just 5 ingredients, 5 minutes, and ZERO baking. They have the same chocolatey crunch as the classic candy bar!
While I love the classic Kit Kat bars, I prefer their limited edition varieties, especially the crunchy version. That’s what inspired this recipe.
Since Kit Kats are essentially chocolate-covered wafers, I wanted these bars to have that same crisp texture and satisfying bite. I started by adapting my homemade crunch bars and swapping the crispy rice cereal for crushed wafer cookies. Unfortunately, they turned soggy and lost their crunch almost immediately.
After a few rounds of testing different cookies and even chips (silly idea), I landed on Chex cereal. It has a neutral, slightly toasty flavor that’s surprisingly similar to wafer cookies and, most importantly, stays crunchy even after being coated in chocolate.
While they’ll never be an exact replica of a classic Kit Kat, they capture the same chocolatey crunch and satisfying texture in an easy homemade bar.
Table of Contents
Recipe highlights
- 5 Ingredients. Have you ever looked at the back of a Kit Kat wrapper? Instead of a laundry list of ingredients, mine uses just 5 pantry staples.
- A no-bake dessert. The hardest part about this recipe is waiting for the chocolate to set.
- Quick and easy. The bars take less than 5 minutes of hands-on prep, making them one of my favorite last-minute sweet treats.
Key Ingredients
Here’s what goes into this Kit Kat recipe, along with my kitchen notes. Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
- Chex cereal. The secret ingredient that gives these bars their signature crunch. I tested several alternatives, and Chex had the closest texture to wafer cookies while staying crisp once coated in chocolate. If you can’t find it, any crisp cereal works, including Nutri-Grain and chocolate Rice Krispies.
- Peanut butter. I like adding peanut butter because it keeps the bars creamy and satisfying. Other nut or seed butters work, including almond butter and cashew butter.
- Maple syrup. My preferred liquid sweetener, but you can use agave or honey.
- Coconut oil. Helps create a smoother chocolate coating and gives it a little snap once set. I prefer refined coconut oil since it doesn’t have a coconut flavor. Unsalted butter also works.
- Chocolate. I usually recommend chopped chocolate over chocolate chips because it melts more smoothly, but with the addition of coconut oil, either works well. I prefer dark or semi-sweet chocolate to balance the sweetness.
How to make homemade Kit Kat bars
Step 1- Prep. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Step 2- Melt. Add Chex cereal to a large bowl. In a separate microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop, combine all other ingredients and heat until melted. Whisk until smooth.
Step 3- Mix. Pour the chocolate mixture over the Chex and stir until combined.
Pour into the baking dish and refrigerate until firm (at least an hour). Remove and cut into bars.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Let the bars firm up completely before slicing. I know it’s tempting to dig in right away, but I found the cleanest cuts after the chocolate coating was fully set and the bars had chilled for at least 30 minutes.
- Use a warm, slightly wet knife. My #1 tip for cutting into chocolate bars is to run a knife under hot water, carefully dry it, and use that to cut your bars. It helps guarantee even cuts and no breakage.
- Don’t crush the cereal too much. A few broken pieces are fine, but leaving some larger pieces behind gives the bars that signature Kit Kat-style crunch.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover bars can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
To freeze: Transfer the bars to a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to six months.
More homemade candy recipes
Kit Kat Bars
Video
Ingredients
- 3 cups Rice Chex Cereal can use any Chex cereal of choice
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 cup Peanut Butter can use any nut or seed butter of choice
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil can sub for butter
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 8-inch deep dish or deep baking tray of choice with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add Rice Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
- In a microwave-safe bowl or stovetop, combine the peanut butter, chocolate chips, maple syrup, and coconut oil, and heat until melted. Remove from microwave/off stove and whisk until completely incorporated.
- Pour the wet mixture over the Rice Chex cereal and mix until combined. Pour into the lined baking dish and refrigerate until firm (at least an hour). Remove and cut into bars.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally updated August 2022
Can you use any thing in the place of the cereal? This looks delicious!!!
Hi Pamela- crispy cereal is the only thing that would hold up well, otherwise chopped nuts and seeds would be a good alternative 🙂 Let me know how you go!
Can nut butters be completely omitted and/or be replaced by another ingredient?
you can use a seed butter, like tahini or sunflower seed butter. If you omit it, the bars will be quite dense but still delicious!
Delicious take on cereal bars, they do taste just like a kitkat, yum!
Thanks, Judy- I’m so glad you enjoyed them and found them similar to a Kit Kat!
Is it ok to use almond butter instead of peanut butter? I’ve made so many of your recipes and they are delicious!
Absolutely, Maria. Almond butter can be used instead of peanut butter interchangeably in my recipes 🙂
Sounds great I’d like to try and make!!!
Amazing! Let us know how you go. These are always a hit in my house.
Can u use honey instead of maple syrup
Yes you can, Julie!
These are muddy buddies without the powdered sugar… not KitKat worthy
Hi Matthew- thanks for the feedback. They are a little similar to muddy buddies- but still give the kit kat flavor and texture 🙂 Not for everyone though!
I want to try your recipes.
Please do!
OMG! Delicious! I made this with dark chocolate chips and it is wonderful!
I’m a BIG fan of dark chocolate too!
Do you use regular sugar or sweetener for the KitKat bars?
Hi Kim, just some maple syrup for this one! No need for additional sweetener or sugar.
This is perfect example how Kitkat can me made homemade using only natural ingredients. Much healthier than store bought.
Can I also put cornflakes instead of these cereals you mentioned?
Video won’t play
Wow really different recipe. I
Would like to try it as I always buy Kitkat.
Can’t get video up.???
Hi can you try again?
I used semisweet chips, plus butter instead of coconut oil and they turned out great
Love to hear that, Caitlin. Butter is a great equal substitute for the coconut oil. Thank you!
Very fudgey! I really like to keep this in the freezer. It’s rich and you only need a little to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Kit kat is my favourite bar so I must try this.
Sounds delicious but nothing like a kit kat bar
Hi Mercedes- it’s a copycat of the Kit Kat crunch bars- it’s not supposed to be like the actual kit kat fingers, as those would just be chocolate covered wafers.
Is there any way to incorporate protein powder into these? I’m looking for high protein snacks.
Yes add 1/2 cup protein powder to the dry ingredients.
Can I use shreddies instead?
Hi Zahra, yes! That should be fine.
I made these for our 60 Anniversary at church, I Tripled the recipe, & it still was not enough, it was a Complete Hit,!!!, I plan on making it Again for our Thanksgiving Banquet.!!!♥️♥️♥️♥️
I made this for our 60th Church Anniversary, it was a Complete Hit, I was ask Several times for the recipe, I had to Triple the recipe, I plan on Doing this recipe again this Month for Our Thanksgiving Banquet.
Deliciaram!!!
Delicious and super easy! Very close to a snack that we call Puppy Chow, but in bar form.
Cut into bars BEFORE you refrigerate!
No, the chocolate will stick everywhere.
Soo good! I didn’t have maple syrup but thought it was plenty sweet with just the chocolate and peanut butter! My kitkat bars do have to stay in the fridge because of the coconut oil. Thanks for the recipe!
From the uk here where can i purchase your cook books please
Amazon UK should have them 🙂
Excellent and healthy ingredients.
GR-R-R-eat!
Easy. Great tasting.
Loved by my gluten intolerant grand-daughter and my chocolate lover self.
These are incredible!! Thank you so much for the recipe!
Amazingly
good and so easy to put together.
Hi Arman could you recommend another cereal? I can’t seem to find that one 🙂
Any crispy cereal is fine 🙂
I adjusted the recipe to lower the fat and it turns out really good! It holds together really well:
•3 C gluten-free Rice Chex
•1 1/2 C Bake Believe Baking Chips All Natural Stevia Sweetened (semi-sweet)
•1/2 C keto maple syrup
•1/2 C peanut butter (or almond butter)
What’s the best way to make keto maple syrup? Or is there a cheap store bought one to get?
Thank you!
I juts made these and they are so delish! I tried three different versions as gifts ~ catering to different diets and taste buds 😉 So much fun to experiment with different nut butters and chocolate!!
😀 How good! 🙂
Do you think powdered peanut butter (mixed as directed with water) could work in this recipe or others you’ve posted in substitution for nut butter?
Not that I’ve tried, you’ll need to experiment and see!
Deliciousness! Thanks for sharing this decadent dessert with us. I’m making it tonight 😋
Arman,
My husband now pouts when no Kit Kat bars are in the fridge for his dessert! I have made these bars with Rice, Corn, Wheat, Chocolate and Peanut butter Chex, and different chocolate chips. I use Agave for the sweetener, and butter.
They are so fast to make and I rush to try your new recipes! Thank you for giving alternates on all the ingredients, you are a rock-star!
Donna
That means so much, Donna- You are a gem xx
Whoa! AaaaaaaaaaMazing! Thanks for posting this recipe! Definite keeper😊
Enjoy 🙂 🙂
I was wondering how do you calculate the nutrition, because when I use the same ingredients and use MyfitnessPal there is way calories for one serving.
It’s automatically calculated using the recipe plugin, so be sure to double check if you count calories strictly.
THIS IS NOT KETO!!!
Exactly, and this recipe has not claimed to be keto.
“I wanted to keep this recipe simple, so the thought of developing a homemade wafer biscuit went out the door.” You have no idea how much you crack me up! I love how you write!
Haha I appreciate it! 🙂
Hey! The recipe looks great! I was just wondering if you could sub the chex cereal for rice krispies?
😀 sure!
These were a huge hit! Everyone loved them!!
I just made these and added roasted almonds chopped up and hemp hearts .these are to die for♥️♥️
How can it be keto if it has Chex Cereal into ? I’m looking for good snacks/ sweet treats that are completely keto friendly. Help.
This recipe never claimed to be keto-friendly. More keto recipes in my archives, search ‘keto’
How many carbs?
Check out myfitnesspal for a full nutritional breakdown 🙂
Is there a way of seeing recipe converted to grams?
You’ll need to use google conversions 🙂
Great recipe! Made these for my Mum to take to work today and everyone wants the recipe! Super Yummy!
I added an extra cup of rice Krispies because it looked so dense and it still holds together well and tastes delicious!
These look divine! 1 square only? That will be hard. Thank you!
So welcome!
Does this recipe use natural peanut butter or kraft smooth peanut butter?
Either works, I think the Kraft has the best texture for it 🙂
Hi about how many servings does it make?
It makes 10-12 large bars
Love it! I may make this as a travel snack for my trip to Chicago this weekend and keep the bars in one of my Rubbermaids!
All of your recipes make my day, Armand! I make your mug cakes for breakfast, most of the time. Thanks for fantastoic healthy breakfast and snack ideas!
Could I use sugar free syrup in the place of pure maple syrup?
That won’t work as it acts in a similar way to water and not a sticky sweetener.
JUst wondering if anyone tried to make it without the maple syrup?? What else can I use for liquid? More coconut oil?? I just think it would be too sweet with the chocolate, peanut butter and maple syrup
I haven’t tried without it, but feel free to experiment and see! 🙂
Just wanted to let you know… I swapped the maple syrup and coconut oil so 1/2 C coconut oil and 1/4 C maple syrup and also added another cup of Chex and they were perfect!!
Looks great Arman! Didnt see a link for the monkfruit maple syrup… would love to know what brand that is! Cant wait to make this.
Never mind! I looked it up on Amazon… no worries!
Can you use corn syrup instead of the maple syrup?
Absolutely! 🙂
Thank you for this recipe.
very welcome, Liz!
They look delicious. Has anyone tried using butter? Wondering if it will taste better with bitter.
Works well with butter instead of oil.
Any idea how many weight watcher points there would be per bar?
For sure! If you plug in the ingredients into a weight watchers calculator, it will provide it for you! 🙂
Even better with Rice Krispies or peanuts instead of Chex
These were so amazing! I’ve had 1 for breakfast and dessert! Thank you for sharing!
Breakfast? You are my kind of person, Micha!
Hi, here in the UK we have similarly looking cereals, but they are made of wheat. Do you think they would work for the recipe as well or would be too ‘dense’? Thanks! 🙂
I think that would work well- Just as long as it isn’t like a weet-a-bix like texture 🙂
OH MY GOD. These are incredible. Almost too good to be true! Almost, but definitely real! What a dream.
Hello,
Could you use a mixture of puffed rice and crusted cheerios or just one or the other and still obtain the same result?
You can try, it won’t have the wafer like texture, but still be crispy 🙂
Yumm! Any dessert with PB automatically has my attention. These look delicious!
Hey Arman, do you know what Aussie cereal I could use instead of Chex? Thank you 🙂
Hi! You can try and find some golden style cereal or square shaped ones in Woolies- I always being chex back 🙂