The BEST Homemade Crunch Bars Recipe
Introduction
These homemade crunch bars are a delicious, easy-to-make treat packed with crispy rice cereal and a rich chocolate-peanut butter coating. Perfect for snacking or a quick energy boost, they combine sweet and nutty flavors in every bite.

Ingredients
- 3 cups crispy rice cereal
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 cup peanut butter (can substitute any nut or seed butter)
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil (can substitute grass fed butter)
Instructions
- Step 1: Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish or a deep baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
- Step 2: Place the crispy rice cereal into a large mixing bowl. In a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, maple syrup, and coconut oil. Heat gently until the mixture is melted and smooth, then whisk well to combine.
- Step 3: Pour the melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the crispy rice cereal. Stir thoroughly until the cereal is evenly coated.
- Step 4: Transfer the mixture to the lined baking dish, pressing it down evenly. Refrigerate for at least one hour until firm.
- Step 5: Remove from the fridge, lift out the parchment paper, and cut into bars. Serve and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- For a different flavor, substitute peanut butter with almond butter or sunflower seed butter.
- Add a pinch of sea salt on top before refrigerating to enhance the chocolate and peanut butter flavors.
- Use dark chocolate chips for a richer, less sweet crunch bar.
- Press the mixture firmly into the dish to help the bars hold together better.
Storage
Store the crunch bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. They can also be frozen for up to one month; thaw in the fridge before serving. If the bars soften at room temperature, refrigerate a few minutes before eating to firm them up.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use different cereals instead of crispy rice?
Yes, you can try puffed quinoa or millet cereals, but the texture and crunch might vary slightly.
Is it possible to make these bars nut-free?
Absolutely. Use a seed butter like sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter to keep the recipe nut-free.
PrintThe BEST Homemade Crunch Bars Recipe
These homemade crunch bars are a delicious and easy no-bake treat combining crispy rice cereal with a rich chocolate and peanut butter mixture. Perfect for a quick snack or dessert, they come together effortlessly with simple pantry ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Crunch Bars Ingredients
- 3 cups crispy rice cereal
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 cup peanut butter (any nut or seed butter can be substituted)
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil (can substitute grass fed butter)
Instructions
- Prepare baking dish: Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish or similarly sized deep tray with parchment paper to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Heat and combine ingredients: Place chocolate chips, peanut butter, maple syrup, and coconut oil together in a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop. Heat gently until melted, stopping to whisk frequently until fully combined into a smooth mixture.
- Mix cereal and chocolate mixture: Pour the melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the crispy rice cereal in a large mixing bowl. Stir thoroughly to ensure every bit of cereal is coated evenly.
- Set and chill: Transfer the mixture into the lined baking dish, pressing down lightly to create an even layer. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm and set.
- Cut into bars: Once firm, remove from the fridge and cut into bars of desired size. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator to maintain texture.
Notes
- You can substitute peanut butter with almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butter for different flavors or to accommodate allergies.
- Coconut oil can be replaced with grass-fed butter for a slightly different flavor and richness.
- To make the bars vegan, ensure the chocolate chips are dairy-free.
- Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and crunchy.
- For extra crunch, add chopped nuts or seeds to the mixture before refrigerating.
Keywords: homemade crunch bars, no-bake dessert, peanut butter bars, crispy rice cereal recipe, easy snack bars, chocolate peanut butter bars

