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Satisfy your sweet tooth with these delicious homemade chocolate crunch bars that require no baking. With just a few simple and clean ingredients, you can whip up a tasty treat in no time!
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Table of Contents
- Why you will love these homemade crunch bars!
- Ingredients and Substitutions
- How to Make Chocolate Crunch Bars
- Top Tips For Perfect Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch Bars
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage Tips
- Nutritional Information and Health Benefits
- Commonly Asked Questions
- More No Bake Healthy Treats
- Chocolate Crunch Bars Recipe
These rich peanut butter chocolate crunch bars have become my favorite healthier treats for satisfying those sweet cravings without the guilt. They are made with clean ingredients and are so easy to make. I have made them countless times in my kitchen over the past few years. My kids and family love them, and I am so happy to finally share the recipe with you today. The perfect easy snack to have on hand!
Whether you’re looking for a quick snack, a healthy dessert, or a treat to share with friends and family, these chocolate crunch bars are a fantastic choice. They’re easy to make, store well, and can be customized to suit your taste.
For more easy no bake treat recipes, be sure to check out my Cranberry Pistachio Chocolate Bark and Frozen Yogurt Bark with Strawberries.
Why you will love these homemade crunch bars!
- Wholesome ingredients: From chocolate to maple syrup, every ingredient is nutritious and flavorful. These peanut butter chocolate bars let you enojoy a guilt-free wholesome snack without compromising on taste.
- No Bake treat: I love that these homemade crunch bars do NOT require any baking. You need only a few minutes to mix up the ingredients and let them chill.
- Easy to make: Just melt the chocolate, mix the ingredients in a bowl and spread in a baking pan. Chill them and then enjoy!
Ingredients and Substitutions
For full ingredients list with measurements, check the recipe card below.
- Organic unsweetened chocolate – I usually use 100% cacao unsweetener dark chocolate bars but you can use any chocolate you prefer, even chocolate chips. (If it’s sweetened, reduce the amount of maple syrup in the recipe.)
- Puffed rice – I used organic puffed rice but you could also use organic crispy rice cereal.
- Peanut butter – It adds creaminess and a rich flavor. I use Costco’s Kirklands brand organic peanut butter made only with peanuts and sea salt. They don’t have any added sugars or oils, and are made with US Valencia peanuts which are better than others. You can also use any nut butter you like like almond butter or cashew butter. You can also omit the peanut butter all together.
- Maple syrup – you could also use honey instead of maple syrup. If you are using sweetened chocolate, reduce the amount of sweetener.
- Coconut oil – it helps everything to meld together beautifully and makes the mixture less crumbly. It could be omitted but you may have to add a little bit more peanut butter if necessary.
- Vanilla extract – adds a nice flavor
How to Make Chocolate Crunch Bars
- Prepare the dish. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking dish or deep baking tray with parchment paper. Set it aside.
- Melt the chocolate. Melt 8 oz of unsweetened chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a little bit of simmering water (double boiler method) on low heat. Stir continuously to prevent burning.
- Mix it all together. In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of rice puffs, 1 cup peanut butter, 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup coconut oil, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Pour the melted chocolate over the mixture and stir until everything is well combined. Taste the mixture and add more maple syrup if desired.
- Chill. Pour the chocolate mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly and press down firmly with a spatula. Place it in the freezer for about an hour, or until firm.
- Cut into bars and enjoy. Once firm, remove the dish from the freezer. Lift the parchment paper out of the dish and place it on a cutting board. Cut the mixture into bars of your desired size. Store the bars in the fridge or freezer. Enjoy!
TIPS FROM NELI’S KITCHEN
Top Tips For Perfect Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch Bars
Here are some tips and tricks to ensure your Homemade Chocolate Crunch Bars turn out perfect every time:
- Avoid Overheating the Chocolate: When melting chocolate using the double boiler method, keep the heat low and stir frequently, and make sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the bowl. Overheating can cause the chocolate to seize, making it grainy and unusable.
- Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate in the microwave in 20 second increments.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that ingredients like maple syrup, peanut butter and coconut oil are at room temperature. This helps them mix more smoothly with the melted chocolate.
- Use a Sharp Knife: A sharp knife makes it easier to cut clean, even bars without them crumbling.
- Warm the Knife: Run your knife under hot water, then dry it off before cutting. This can help make cleaner cuts through the chocolate.
- Quality chocolate matters: Opt for high-quality dark chocolate; the rich flavor will take your bars to the next level.
Customization Tips
One of the best things about these homemade chocolate crunch bars is that you can easily customize them to suit your preferences or dietary needs. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Add Some Nuts: For an extra crunch and a boost of protein, try adding chopped nuts to the mix. Almonds, walnuts, or pecans would all be great choices.
- Mix in Dried Fruit: If you love a bit of sweetness and chewiness in your bars, mix in some dried fruit like cranberries, raisins, or chopped apricots. They add a lovely contrast to the crunchy texture.
- Use Different Nut Butters: While peanut butter is classic, you can switch it up with almond butter, or cashew butter for a different flavor profile.
- Sprinkle with Sea Salt: A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the bars before they set in the freezer can enhance the chocolate flavor and add a gourmet touch.
- Make Them Extra Decadent: For a more indulgent treat, you can drizzle some white chocolate over the dark chocolate for a pretty finish.
Serving Suggestions
These chocolate crunch bars are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways:
- Snack Time: Perfect for a quick and satisfying snack between meals.
- Lunchbox Treats: A great addition to your or your kids’ lunchboxes.
- Dessert: Serve as a light dessert after lunch or dinner. My kids love them! They’re also great crumbled over ice cream or yogurt for an extra treat.
- Party Treats: Cut into bite-sized pieces and serve on a platter for a crowd-pleasing party snack.
Storage Tips
Refrigerate: Keep the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Freeze: The bars can last in the freezer for up to three months. If you decide to store them in your freezer, make sure to let them sit on the counter for a few minutes before serving to allow them to soften slightly.
Nutritional Information and Health Benefits
Aside from being delicious, these chocolate crunch bars are dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free and come with several health benefits:
- Dark Chocolate: Rich in antioxidants and can improve heart health.
- Peanut Butter: Packed with protein and healthy fats.
- Coconut Oil: Contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which can boost energy.
- Maple Syrup: A natural sweetener that provides minerals like zinc and manganese.
- Puffed Rice: Low in calories and adds volume without adding a lot of calories.
Commonly Asked Questions
Try using puffed quinoa, puffed millet, or even crushed cornflakes for a different texture and flavor.
Yes, you can omit the nut butter all together for a plain chocolate crunch bar.
Yes, you can use dark, milk, or white chocolate. Each type will give the bars a different flavor and sweetness level.
Toast the rice cereal or nuts lightly before mixing them in. This will enhance their flavor and give an extra crunch. You can also use crispy rice cereal.
Absolutely! Add extracts like almond, coconut, or peppermint for a unique twist. Just a few drops will do. You can also add spices like cinnamon or cardamom, or even a pinch of sea salt to elevate the flavor.
More No Bake Healthy Treats
Desserts
No Bake Coconut Date Bites
Desserts
No Bake Chocolate Bites
Desserts
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Desserts
No Bake Chocolate Tarts
Chocolate Crunch Bars
Save This Recipe
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Delicious Meets Healthy.
Ingredients
- 8 oz organic unsweetened chocolate
- 3 cups organic puffed rice
- 1 cup organic peanut butter
- ½ cup organic maple syrup, at room temperature
- ¼ cup organic coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line a 9 x 13-inch baking dish or deep baking tray with parchment paper. Set it aside.
- Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a little bit of simmering water (double boiler method) on medium heat. Stir continuously to prevent burning.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of rice puffs, 1 cup peanut butter, 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup coconut oil, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Pour the melted chocolate over the mixture and stir until everything is well combined. Taste the mixture and add more maple syrup if desired.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly and press down firmly with a spatula. Place it in the freezer for about an hour, or until firm.
- Once firm, remove the dish from the freezer. Lift the parchment paper out of the dish and place it on a cutting board. Cut the mixture into bars of your desired size. Store the bars in the fridge or freezer. Enjoy!
Notes
- Avoid Overheating the Chocolate: When melting chocolate using the double boiler method, keep the heat low and stir frequently, and make sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the bowl. Overheating can cause the chocolate to seize, making it grainy and unusable.
- Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate in the microwave in 20 second increments.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that ingredients like maple syrup, peanut butter and coconut oil are at room temperature. This helps them mix more smoothly with the melted chocolate.
- Use a Sharp Knife: A sharp knife makes it easier to cut clean, even bars without them crumbling.
- Warm the Knife: Run your knife under hot water, then dry it off before cutting. This can help make cleaner cuts through the chocolate.
- Quality chocolate matters: Opt for high-quality dark chocolate; the rich flavor will take your bars to the next level.
