How To Make Homemade Crunch Bars With Just 2 Ingredients

There are countless different types of chocolate bars for every kind of craving nowadays, but sometimes there's nothing better than the simplicity of a classic Crunch bar. This candy offers the perfect textural contrast of creamy chocolate and crispy pieces of puffed rice. Its emphasis on two components, rather than an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink approach, is what makes it timelessly delicious — and super easy to make at home.

To craft your own Crunch bars, all you need is 12 to 16 ounces of chocolate and one cup of crisped rice cereal. If you prefer your bar extra crunchy, opt for less chocolate, so your ratio is heavy on the rice bits scattered throughout. When using chocolate bars instead of morsels, break them up into chunks and put them into a heat-safe bowl. Bring a pot of water to boil, then reduce the heat and place the bowl of chocolate on top of it. Known as the double boiler method, this is the best way to melt chocolate to a perfectly smooth, spreadable consistency. After stirring until everything has melted, turn off the heat and incorporate the rice cereal.

Line a baking dish with parchment paper or foil — giving yourself a little extra material around the edges so that you can easily lift it from the pan later — and then pour the mixture into an even layer to your ideal thickness. For the best result, allow it to set for at least one hour in the refrigerator before cutting into it.

The two-ingredient recipe for Crunch bars is endlessly adaptable according to your own tastes — and your willingness to get wild with innovative takes on this traditional candy. For the easiest and most impactful alternative approach, experiment with using different kinds of chocolate. While the original iteration is made with milk chocolate, those who prefer something a little less sweet can opt for dark chocolate instead. Bars with 50% to 70% cocoa lend a complex taste with more earthy notes.

On the other end of the spectrum, you can create your Crunch bar using white chocolate for a rich flavor and buttery mouthfeel. For something even more unexpected, try fruity, ruby chocolate, which tastes similar to white chocolate, but has a unique, pretty pink appearance and a subtle hint of strawberry or raspberry.

If you are craving extra crunch, consider adding in a third ingredient. Cacao nibs are an ideal addition to subtly amplify the qualities of the other components in this bar. They can enrich its chocolatey flavor while also boosting the quantity of crispy pieces in every bite. If cacao nibs aren't your thing, toasted and chopped nuts — such as peanuts, almonds, or pistachios — are also a great choice.

Homemade Crunch bars are perfect on their own, but they can also instantly level up just about any other dessert. For added texture, flavor, and flair, cut the bars into small even squares or jagged shards in all shapes and sizes, and then bake them into cookies or brownies. They are also great for decorating both in between and on top of layers of cake. But if you want to lean into the nostalgia factor, one of the best ways to use your Crunch bars is to stuff them into next-level s'mores.

For those people who love their marshmallows on the extra toasty side, using Crunch bars instead of plain chocolate between graham crackers can intensify the crispiness of each mouthful. For a more sophisticated take, you can layer fruit into your s'mores, too. The bright and juicy pop of freshness from strawberries, peaches, and berries pairs with the rice cereal just as nicely for a portable, delicious dessert as it does when enjoyed in a bowl of cereal or porridge for a light breakfast. Try sliced raspberries with ruby chocolate for a truly berry-licious s'mores.