These homemade crunch bars taste exactly like the popular chocolate candy bars, and the recipe calls for just 2 ingredients!
No bake chocolate crunch bars
The best homemade crunch bar recipe also just so happens to be the easiest.
As a former Nestle Crunch lover, I’ve tried numerous copycats over the years. Trust me when I say that this one is the most authentic tasting recipe you will find.
It boasts the same irresistible crispy, crunchy texture and rich chocolate flavor as the beloved originals, plus the same simplicity of ingredients.
It’s completely impossible to stop at one!
Also try these Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs
Step by step recipe video
Key ingredients in homemade crunch bars
Chocolate chips – Use dark chocolate chips to make dark chocolate crunch bars or semi sweet chips for a more neutral taste. Or for bars that taste exactly like the store bought version, go with milk chocolate chips.
The recipe can easily be low carb or dairy free and vegan. Simply choose a brand of nondairy or sugar free chocolate chips, both readily available at most grocery stores.
Rice crispy cereal – This can be any crisped rice cereal, including Kellogg’s Rice Krispies, Nature’s Path organic and gluten free Crispy Rice Cereal, or a generic brand to save money.
You may also change up the texture by trying another crushed cereal or granola in place of the crispy rice cereal. See below for even more variations.
Coconut oil (optional) – Adding two teaspoons of coconut oil to the melted chocolate gives the finished bars a smooth, shiny appearance. However, packaged Crunch bars do not include coconut oil and it is not required here either.
Extra chocolate chips? Make Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Fun ideas for different flavors
- Use toasted quinoa instead of the rice crispies.
- Stir half a cup of softened peanut butter into the melted chocolate, to create chocolate peanut butter crunch bars.
- Mix a handful of chopped almonds or walnuts, shredded coconut, or healthy superfood chia seeds in with the dry cereal.
- Sprinkle the top of the candy bars with flaky sea salt.
- Or use a spoon to drop clusters of the mixture onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Let sit until firm, creating your very own homemade copycat Buncha Crunch!
How to make homemade crunch bars
- Gather all of your ingredients, and line the bottom of an eight inch square pan with parchment paper or wax paper. Alternatively, grease the bottom of the pan with oil.
- Very carefully melt the chocolate chips. (Follow the guide below on how to melt chocolate correctly.)
- If using coconut oil, stir it into the melted chocolate.
- Pour in the rice crispy cereal, using a large spoon or spatula to gently fold the cereal in until evenly mixed and coated.
- Spread the mixture into the prepared pan.
- This is the simple part: Leave the pan on the counter for a few hours until the homemade crunch bars firm up. Or if you are in a hurry, freeze for about five minutes or until hard enough to slice into bars.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the chocolate into bars or bites.
- Store leftovers in an airtight covered container in a cool, dry place. Or freeze for up to three months and enjoy for snack or dessert, straight from the freezer.
The best ways to melt chocolate for homemade candy bars
Microwave Method: Add chocolate chips to a dry, microwave safe bowl.
Heat thirty seconds on high power. Stir well, then heat in ten second increments, stirring after each until the chocolate sauce is smooth.
It is important to go slowly, because chocolate burns quickly.
Double Boiler Method: Fill the bottom pan of a double boiler with about an inch of water, and bring to a simmer.
Then remove from the heat and add the chocolate to the top pan. Never let any water touch the chocolate.
Allow the steam from the bottom pan to indirectly heat the chips as you stir them until fully melted.
This recipe is shelf stable, so it needs no refrigeration. Homemade crunch bars are great for Halloween parties, Easter baskets, or packing into a school lunch box!
Homemade Crunch Bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (250g)
- 2/3 cup rice crispy cereal (20g) (For low carb, make Keto Candy Bars)
- 2 tsp coconut oil (24g) (optional)
InstructionsÂ
- 1. Line the bottom of an 8 inch square pan with parchment paper, or grease well. Set this pan aside.
- 2. Carefully melt chocolate chips in the microwave or by using the double boiler method.
- 3. Stir in the coconut oil, if using.
- 4. Using a spoon or spatula, gently fold in the rice crispy cereal until evenly coated.
- 5. Spread the chocolate crunch bar mixture into the prepared pan.
- 6. Let sit on the counter until firm. Or if you are in a hurry, freeze for five minutes or until firm.
- 7. Use a sharp knife to cut into bars.
- 8. Store in a cool, dry place and enjoy within two weeks. Or freeze in an airtight container for up to three months.
Video
Notes
Easy chocolate recipes you’ll love
It’s hard to pick a favorite candy bar…I liked twix, butterfingers, kitkats, hershey symphony and almond joys…but if I had to choose, 100 grand bars would probably win. It’d be awesome if you veganized/healthified it! I haven’t had one in so many years…
I’ve tried the 3 ingredient chocolate bars with granulated sugar before.. it was NOT good because the sugar didn’t incorporate like the liquid sweeteners do. The bars are super yummy with agave and maple syrup though! I’d bet if you made a simple syrup (sugar + water on the stove) then it would work with granulated sugar, but I haven’t tried it.
Also, ironically, I have noticed that the bars are MUCH better with Hershey’s cocoa powder versus Nestle. But that’s just my opinion!
How much agave would you use??
I’d start with 2 tsp and go from there.
Katie, I wonder why do you use cacao powder with coconut oil if it melts easily; why don’t you use just melted chocolate? I think it would turn better results as you would be able to take the chocolate out of the fridge and it won’t melt easily.
Maybe is my coconut oil that melts straight away after taking it out from the fridge..
Very good suggestion, Hazyy :).
If you click on the nutrition-info link, I’d actually written that in as an option as well.
Snickers. If you can healthify caramel, Katie, I will marry you on the spot.
Okay, that’s creepy.
But seriously. Yum!
Awesome! I’m going to make these tonight. Here’s looking at another day with chocolate. 🙂
Ive never been able to eat many lollies because the artificial colourings give me terrible head aches but at the moment I am addicted to your no bake Oreos. Seriously delicious and look so presentable 🙂
Occasionally I may go for a Kit-Kat or Mounds bar, but I am most satisfied when I have a Reese’s Cup in my hand…my loyalty will forever lie with the peanut butter and chocolate duo. Thanks so much for all these healthy chocolate bar recipes…I find treats taste so much better when you know they’re good for you too!
This is outstanding thank you katie, I LOVE all your recipies and have made just about every single one with great success :))
Yes please for the healthy butterfinger bar! A healthy kit kat bar would be great too… Or a snickers bar…
Also, I had no idea where to get coconut oil before, but it turns out that my local walmart sells it next to all the other oils. Woohoo!