Homemade Star Crunch made with brown rice cereal, dairy-free chocolate, and date caramel. A Little Debbie copycat recipe with better ingredients! Gluten-free, vegan.
This star crunch copycat recipe uses better ingredients for crunchy, chewy cookie. Those that love the Little Debbie Star Crunch, will love this version!
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Simple ingredients
- No bake dessert
- Gluten-free and dairy-free
What is a star crunch cookie?
A star crunch is a popular snack cookie made by Little Debbie. With layers of crispy rice cereal, caramel, and chocolate, creating a sweet and chewy treat.
A closer look at those ingredients: corn syrup, wheat flour, palm kernel oil, sugar, whey, and malt barley flour.
I swapped butter and sugar-laden caramel for this version with better ingredients for date caramel. As with date paste, by blending Medjool dates, maple syrup, almond milk, and vanilla extract, you get a sweet golden sauce.
(Dates can make the easiest on-the-go snacks too like these chocolate energy balls or this granola with almonds!)
Ingredients and substitutions
Here are a few quick notes about the ingredients in this recipe. You can see a complete list of ingredients and instructions in the recipe card below.
Crispy rice cereal - Brown or white rice cereal work well. If these need to be completely gluten-free, make sure to purchase rice cereal that is labeled as gluten-free.
Original Rice Krispies cereal contains malt, but they now make a separate gf version. To ensure that these crispy squares are also vegan, choose a rice cereal that is also vegan.
Chocolate chips - Use dairy-free semi-sweet chocolate chips if needed. Regular semi-sweet chocolate chips work fine too.
Medjool dates - I recommend using the large Medjool variety as they are larger and sweeter than other varieties.
Unsweetened almond or coconut milk - Either non-dairy milk works for this cookie recipe.
Maple syrup - This is our healthier alternative to corn syrup and helps bind the homemade star crunch.
Vanilla extract - Rounds out the sweet chocolate flavor.
Step-by-step ingredients
Before you start: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
Step 1: Place dates in a small bowl with hot water. Allow to soak for at least 5 minutes. Drain and transfer dates to a high powered blender. Add salt, coconut milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Blend on high until smooth.
Step 2: Place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 30-second intervals until chocolate chips are melted. Add coconut oil to chocolate. Place brown rice cereal in a large bowl. Add date caramel followed by the melted chocolate to the rice cereal.
Step 3: Scoop the rice mixture and place it onto a prepared baking sheet. Use your fingers to help form a tight disc. Continue in even rows until all of the rice mixture has been used.
Step 4: Place baking sheets in the refrigerator for star crunch to chill and set for at least 2 hours.
Helpful tips
- Make the date caramel ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Allow to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before using.
Storage
Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week.
If you like these crispy rice cookies, you'll love my chocolate rice crispy treats!
FAQs
A star crunch is a sweet snack with layers of caramel and chocolate, along with a crispy rice cereal texture for a satisfying crunch.
If you want to intensify the chocolate flavor, you can use cocoa rice cereal. Not all brands are gluten-free, so make sure you are choosing a brand that is labeled gluten-free.
For more nostalgic snacks and treats, you'll love this dirt cake, crunch bars, and pudding cups recipes. This gluten-free candy list gives you a helpful breakdown of allergy-friendly options.
More gluten-free chocolate desserts
Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below and let me know what you think in the comments!
📖 Recipe
Homemade Star Crunch
Ingredients
- 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips 195 g
- 2 ½ cups gluten-free brown rice cereal 88 g
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
Date Caramel
- 1 cup Medjool dates, halved and pitted
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Slice your dates and cover them in a small bowl with hot water. Allow to soak for at least 5 minutes. Once soaked, drain and transfer dates to a high powered blender. Add salt, coconut milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Blend on high until smooth.
- Place chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring after each, until chocolate chips are almost entirely melted. Add coconut oil to chocolate. Stir until remaining chocolate chips and coconut oil have melted. Allow chocolate to cool for 2 minutes.
- Place brown rice cereal in a large bowl. Add a ½ cup of the date caramel followed by the melted chocolate to the rice cereal. Using a large spoon or spatula, gently fold mixture until rice cereal is completely coated.
- Using a tablespoon, scoop rice mixture and place onto prepared baking sheet. Use your fingers to help form a tight disc. Press down on top of each disc slightly (using a small piece of parchment helps here). Mixture might seem crumbly, but once chilled it will set. Continue in even rows until all of rice mixture has been used.
- Place baking sheets in the refrigerator for star crunch to chill and set for at least 2 hours.
suzi
I made this last nite but wondered if I misunderstood the instructions somehow... so make a cup of caramel but only use half? did I do it right? HELP PLEASE!! THX!!
Tessa
Hi! Just a 1/2 cup is needed for the recipe. The extra can be saved in the refrigerator and used with fruit, on ice cream, and anything else! :) There needs to be enough for the blender to work and purée the date caramel, so it does make extra than needed.
Liz
These look delish!
Tessa
Thank you!
Jonathan
Hi your recipe looks incredible...as I am allergic to wheat and corn ...and wanted to mak star crunch with less ingredients and more wholesome
Can I sub date sweetener instead of making the caramel with dates and then add the coconut or unsweetened almond milk and potato vodka vanilla extract
Thanks 💖💝,
Tessa
Hello! That might work just fine. If you try it that way, I would recommend using less date sweetener and adding more as needed since the consistency will be different than the date caramel.