5.0 from 18 votes
Homemade Crunch Bars
These Crunch Bars taste better than the store-bought version, with only 4 simple ingredients. They are hard to resist!
Prep Time
10 mins
Additional Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 18 (fun size bars)
Calories: 126 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups crisp rice cereal
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and salt together. You can do this in a microwave, or in a double boiler by adding an inch of water to a small saucepan and placing a heat-safe bowl on top of the pot. Bring the water to a boil, and gently stir the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and salt together until they are smoothy melted.
- Place the rice cereal in a large bowl. Pour the melted chocolate mixture into the rice cereal and stir well, until evenly coated.
- Lightly grease a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan and press a piece of parchment paper into the bottom of the pan. (The oil will hold the parchment paper in place.) Transfer the crunch bar mixture into the pan, and smooth the top with a spatula. Place the pan on a flat surface in the freezer to chill until firm, about 1 hour.
- When the chocolate feels firm to the touch, you can use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan. Use a sharp knife to slice the chocolate into 1-inch bars. You can make "fun size" bars by slicing the chocolate down the center, as well. (See photos for reference.)
- These crunch bars are best kept in an airtight container in the fridge, for up to 2 weeks. When you use an all-natural peanut butter, they will become softer when left at room temperature for too long. You can also freeze these for up to 3 months, if you'd like to store them longer.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Nutrition information is for 1 "fun size" bar, assuming you get 18 bars from the batch and use semi-sweet chocolate chips. This information is automatically calculated, and is just an estimate, not a guarantee.
- For a gluten-free dessert, be sure to use a rice cereal that is labeled "gluten-free." Rice Krispies are not currently gluten-free because they contain malt, but Whole Foods, Barabara's brand, and Cascadian Farms make a gluten-free version.
- For a lower-sugar treat, use a darker chocolate.
- For a vegan dessert, be sure to check the label on your chocolate chips to make sure they are dairy-free. Many brands naturally are!
Nutrition Information
Calories
126kcal
(6%)
Carbohydrates
14g
(5%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
7g
(11%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
2mg
(1%)
Sodium
73mg
(3%)
Potassium
43mg
(1%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
10g
(20%)
Vitamin A
34IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
21mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 18(fun size bars)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 126
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 126kcal | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 14g | 5% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 2mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 73mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 43mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 10g | 20% |
| Vitamin A | 34IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 21mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.