The BEST Homemade Crunch Bars Recipe
Introduction
These homemade crunch bars are a delightful treat combining crispy rice cereal with a rich chocolate and peanut butter coating. They’re easy to make and perfect for snacking or sharing with friends and family.
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 similarly sized deep baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
- Step 2: Place the crispy rice cereal into a large mixing bowl and set aside. In a microwave-safe bowl or over the stovetop, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, maple syrup, and coconut oil. Heat gently until melted, then whisk until smooth and fully combined.
- Step 3: Pour the melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the crispy rice cereal. Stir thoroughly to coat the cereal evenly.
- Step 4: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Refrigerate for at least one hour or until firm.
- Step 5: Once set, remove from the dish using the parchment paper and cut into bars.
Tips & Variations
- Try using almond or sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter for a different flavor or to accommodate allergies.
- For extra crunch, add chopped nuts or seeds to the mixture before refrigerating.
- If you prefer a sweeter bar, drizzle a little more maple syrup over the top before chilling.
Storage
Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze them wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper. To enjoy, thaw at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cereal?
Yes, you can substitute crispy rice cereal with other crunchy cereals, like puffed quinoa or corn flakes, but the texture may vary slightly.
Is there a way to make these bars vegan?
Absolutely! Ensure your chocolate chips are dairy-free and use maple syrup with coconut oil as the sweetener and binder, avoiding any animal-derived ingredients.
PrintThe BEST Homemade Crunch Bars Recipe
These homemade crunch bars combine crispy rice cereal with a rich, melty blend of chocolate, peanut butter, maple syrup, and coconut oil to create an irresistible sweet treat. Perfect for a quick snack or dessert, these no-bake bars are easy to prepare and customizable with your favorite nut or seed butter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups crispy rice cereal
Wet Ingredients
- 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
- Prepare Baking Dish: Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish or a deep baking tray of your choice with parchment paper. This will prevent the bars from sticking and make removal easier later on.
- Heat Wet Ingredients: Place the chocolate chips, peanut butter, maple syrup, and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl or a small saucepan. Heat gently either in the microwave or over low heat on the stovetop, stirring regularly until all ingredients are melted and fully combined into a smooth mixture.
- Combine with Cereal: 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 the cereal is coated evenly with the chocolate mixture.
- Set the Bars: Transfer the combined mixture into the lined baking dish. Press down gently with a spatula to compact the bars. Place the dish in the refrigerator and chill for at least one hour until firm and set.
- Cut and Serve: Once the mixture has firmed up, remove the bars from the dish by lifting the parchment paper. Cut into bars of your desired size and enjoy!
Notes
- Substitute peanut butter with almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter for a different flavor or to accommodate allergies.
- Use grass-fed butter instead of coconut oil if preferred; this will give a slightly different richness to the bars.
- Make sure the mixture is fully melted and combined before mixing with cereal to ensure uniformity.
- Bars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week or frozen for longer storage.
- For extra crunch, consider adding chopped nuts or seeds to the cereal mixture before pressing into the pan.
Keywords: homemade crunch bars, no-bake snack, crispy rice cereal bars, chocolate peanut butter bars, easy snack recipe
