These homemade crunch bars taste better than store bought, are easy to make with only 3 ingredients and have the same crispy, chocolaty taste as your favorite candy bar!
This candy recipe satisfies any chocolate craving just like my rocky road candy, homemade Twix bars or Snickers recipe!
Table of Contents
Chocolate Crunch Bars
If you love Nestle Crunch bars, you will love these homemade crunch bars inspired by the popular candy! Similar to my 3 Musketeers Cool Whip candy recipe they are an easy no-bake dessert with only 3 ingredients and ready in 20 minutes.
Rich, chocolaty and crunchy they are the best parts of my peanut butter balls with rice krispies but more simple to make with minimal ingredients like my 3-ingredient chocolate fudge. They are perfect to whip up when the craving strikes!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Best texture: These no bake chocolate peanut butter crunch bars have it all – a smooth and creamy texture and when you take a bite they are crispy and crunchy!
- Easy to make: Rice crispy chocolate bars are ready to eat in only 20 minutes. A chocolate lovers dream!
3 Simple Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Chocolate chips: Use high quality baking chocolate chips. I use semi-sweet chocolate chips from Guittard but Ghiradhelli is another favorite.
- Rice Krispies: The cereal adds the crunch part to the homemade candy bar. Use original rice crispy cereal or your favorite brand, gluten-free if necessary.
- Peanut butter: I used smooth peanut butter but you can use crunchy peanut butter or even cashew butter, almond butter or other nut butter.
Optional: Add some flaked sea salt on top before freezing for the best homemade crunch bars.
How to Make Homemade Crunch Bars
Place chocolate chips and peanut butter in a medium sized, microwave-safe bowl. Melt in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. When the melted chocolate mixture is smooth, add crispy rice cereal and stir well.
Spread into prepared 8×8 inch baking pan. Freeze for 15 minutes then cut the rich, chocolaty crisp candy bar treats into 8 pieces.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Crispy vegan chocolate bar: Dairy free semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips are readily available at most grocery stores.
- Milk chocolate chips: Swap milk chocolate chips for semi-sweet chocolate chips for a more authentic crunch bar.
- Gluten-free: Rice Krispies contain malt which is not gluten-free. If you need a gluten-free candy bar, check the package ingredients of the crisp rice cereal you are using. Barbara’s, Nature’s Path and Whole Foods all sell a gluten-free crisp cereal.
- Nut-free dessert: Instead of peanut butter try sunbutter (or any other seed butter).
- Gifting. I love to package these with some crockpot peanut clusters in a clear plastic bag with a festive ribbon at the holidays!
Need more candy recipes? Try these homemade PayDay candy bars, rolo pretzels, homemade toffee or buckeye bark!
More Chocolate Candy Recipes
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Homemade Crunch Bars
Video
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup peanut butter
- 1 cup rice krispies
- flaked sea salt, optional
Instructions
- Prepare baking dish: Line an 8×8 square baking dish with parchment paper.
- Melt chocolate and peanut butter: Place 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips, and 1/3 cup peanut butter in a medium sized, microwave-safe bowl. Melt in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval.
- Add rice krispies: When chocolate is smooth and melted, add 1 cup rice krispies and stir well.
- Spread in pan: Spread into prepared pan, dust with flaked sea salt (if desired.)
- Freeze: Freeze for 15 minutes. Cut into 8 bars.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Recipe FAQs
I recommend storing crunch bars in the freezer in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. They soften if you store them at room temperature. If you are planning to eat them within a few days, you can also safely store them in the refrigerator.
I love to use high quality semi-sweet chocolate chips such as Guittard or Ghirardelli. You can also use milk chocolate chips for a more authentic crunch chocolate bar.
If you have a special dietary requirement such as low carb or refined sugar-free, that can also be accommodated by using a no-sugar added chopped chocolate bar or natural chocolate bar. For a vegan options, use a vegan chocolate chip that is dairy free.
Yes! Use the same size pan for an extra thick homemade crunch bar or spread it out in a 9×13 pan.
You can skip the peanut butter for a plain chocolate crunch bar. I recommend using 2 teaspoons of coconut oil or shortening when melting the chocolate chips.
Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Birthdays, Candy + Fudge, Chocolate, Christmas, Desserts, Freezer-Friendly, Halloween, Kid-Friendly, Reader Favorites, Valentine's Day
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Why is peanut butter in this?
Hi Lonetta, we find that it adds additional flavor and a better texture in the homemade candy but you can omit it if preferred.
Thank you so much!!
Anytime. :)
Thank you so much!! I enjoy crunch bar as it is and not with peanut butter
Enjoy!
I can’t get all of Toffee Recipe please help! I need measurements and just past… do not burn toffee
Hi Dena, here is our toffee recipe. As always, use the jump to recipe button to go directly to the recipe card with all ingredients and instructions. Enjoy.
Easy simple.
So glad you enjoyed the homemade crunch bars!
Fast and very easy! Was a hit at our 🏈 game gathering!! I used kosher salt instead of flaked and was a nice salty/sweet touch!!
☆☆☆☆☆
I’m so glad you enjoyed the homemade crunch bars! Thanks for your review :)
How about with cocoa instead of chocolate chips, and how much cocoa? I will add Splenda to sweeten.
Unfortunately I wouldn’t recommend since cocoa won’t have the same consistency as melted chocolate chips. You can try a sugar free chocolate chip if preferred.
I made them and they are absolutely addicting.🙂💕
I agree, they are so good Ashlee! Thanks for the review.
Can I use natural peanut butter that’s all I buy ?
Hi, if it was a natural no stir peanut butter it may work. The natural stir kind of peanut butter may not set properly. Let us know how it goes!
Have you tried these with crushed corn flakes, instead of rice Krispies?
Hi Susan, that has not been tested but let us know if you try!
Add some crushed walnuts to that coconut mixture and it’s just like moms coconut balls!
So glad you made the crunch bars your own!
How would you boost the protein? Protein powder? How much?
Hi Karen, these have not been tested with protein powder and as protein powders are often a ‘thirsty’ ingredient am not exactly sure how that would work! If you try let us know.
Flaked sea salt???
Also called flaky sea salt, you can find it near the salt in the baking aisle. Optional if you want a ‘sweet and salty’ taste.
MOO-EE bueno👌✨
Thanks for the review of the crunch bars Toni!
Can’t wait make them. I know my grandkids will absolutely love these. Thanks for sharing
Looking forward to hearing how it goes! I am sure they will love them, too!
Is the nutritional count for one 1/8 serving or for the entire 8 x 8 pan?
1/8 of the pan. Enjoy!
Does it keep a couple of days without a refrigerator
It should as long as it’s stored in a dry area not in direct sunlight. It may be softer and melt easier on your hands.
Do you use milk chocolate chips or dark?
This recipe was tested with semi-sweet chocolate chips, but you can use any chips you like for the Crunch bars including a combination.
It would be nice if you can provide a way to print the recipe but will try this recipe soon
Hi, if you scroll to the recipe card, there is a print button. It will open in a new window and you can print the crunch bars recipe! Enjoy!
These are so delicious! I used dark chocolate and natural peanut butter.. #Yum! ❤️
That combination sounds amazing!
I want to make this but only have bars of chocolate, not chocolate chips. What weight of chocolate would I need to use instead of the 1.5 cups of chocolate chips please? Thank you
One cup of chips is approximately 6 ounces. You could also break the bar into small pieces and measure them that way. This recipe is pretty forgiving if you get a little more or less.
Yum, these are so easy to make plus I could use dairy free chocolate to make them for my daughter!
The best part of making your own chocolate at home, being able to tailor it to your needs! Glad you enjoyed it!