Perfect! Homemade crunch bars are like the classic store-bought treats—sweet, crispy, and chocolatey—but you can make them with simple ingredients at home. Here’s a simple, no-bake recipe:
Homemade Crunch Bars
Ingredients (makes ~12 bars):
- 3 cups crispy rice cereal (like Rice Krispies)
- 1 cup peanut butter (or almond/cashew butter)
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 cup chocolate chips (milk, dark, or semi-sweet)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: a pinch of salt, chopped nuts, or mini marshmallows
Instructions:
- Prepare the pan:
- Line an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
- Make the peanut butter mixture:
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine peanut butter and honey.
- Stir until smooth and slightly warmed. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract (and salt if using).
- Mix with cereal:
- Place the crispy rice cereal in a large bowl.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over the cereal and mix until all the cereal is coated.
- Press into pan:
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan.
- Press down firmly with a spatula or your hands to create an even layer.
- Add chocolate topping:
- Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring each time until smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the cereal layer and spread evenly.
- Set and cut:
- Refrigerate for at least 1–2 hours until firm.
- Lift out of the pan using parchment paper and cut into bars.
💡 Tips:
- For extra crunch, sprinkle crushed nuts or mini chocolate chips over the melted chocolate before it sets.
- You can swap peanut butter for almond butter, Nutella, or sunflower butter for a different flavor.
- Keep the bars stored in an airtight container in the fridge—they last 1–2 weeks.
If you want, I can give you a super crunchy, candy-like version with crispy wafers and caramel layers that taste like a chocolate bar straight from a candy store. It’s a bit more decadent but absolutely worth it.
Do you want that version?
