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Home » Candy » Chocolate Crunch Bars - Vegan

Chocolate Crunch Bars - Vegan

November 1, 2014 by Tracy | Updated December 20, 2020 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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It’s easier than you think to make your own Chocolate Crunch Bars at home. They’re just as delicious and they’re even gluten free and vegan friendly!
stacked chocolate crunch bars.
stacked chocolate rice cereal bars with Pinterest pin text.
stacked chocolate rice cereal bars with Pinterest pin text.
stacked chocolate rice cereal bars with Pinterest pin text.
stacked chocolate rice cereal bars and a bowl of rice cereal with chocolate being poured in with Pinterest pin text.
stacked chocolate crunch bars and pinterest text.

Make your favorite crispy chocolate candy bar at home! It's easier than you think to make your own Chocolate Crunch Bars - Vegan and gluten-free friendly, too!

stacked chocolate rice cereal bars.

Do you have a candy from your childhood? Crunch Bars are definitely one of mine as they were one of my dad's favorites and so when we started this blog it was one of the very first candies we ever made after being inspired by Oh She Glows. Since then it has been made and shared and tweaked and the Chocolate Crunch Bars - Vegan, are still one of our favorite candies to make and one of my favorites to make for my girls. Not only are they made with all natural sweeteners, but also super healthy coconut oil, and the superfood, cacao!

Ingredients Needed

cereal, maple syrup, cocoa, cacao, coconut oil, vanilla extract, salt
  • Rice Cereal - To make them gluten free, we love this cereal, but you could also use your favorite gluten filled crispy rice cereal, too.
  • Coconut Oil - This keeps it's vegan, but you could use butter.
  • Chocolate Powders - We prefer a mixture of Cocoa and Cacao because of the super food power of cacao, but without being too overwhelmingly rich.
  • Maple Syrup - Our all natural sweetener of choice, but you could also use honey.
  • Vanilla Extract - Have you made your own, yet?
  • Salt - Just a pinch!

Tip: Control the crunch! We love these crunch bars packed with rice cereal, but if you want a lower to chocolate to crisp ratio and crunch, you can definitely reduce the amount.

Step-by-Step Instructions

a sauce pan with melted cocoa and cacao powders

Even better than the simple, healthy, ingredients - these bars are so easy to make!

Step 1: Heat everything in a sauce pan.

One my favorite childhood candies made from scratch and Vegan friendly!

Step 2: Add chocolate mixture to rice cereal.

bowl of chocolate covered crisps and then in a parchment lined pan

Step 3: Give it all a good mix and then add it to a parchment lined loaf pan, or baking pan.

a loaf pan with chocolate covered rice cereal and another frozen

Step 4: Spread it into an even layer and then pop in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes.

frozen rectangle of crunch bars and then sliced

Step 5: Once it has all set, then thanks to the parchment paper all you need to do is lift it out of the pan (easy - cleany) and then slice!

overhead of sliced crunch bars

How delicious do these look?? They are SO GOOD.

These are packed with rice cereal, just the way we like it! But you can definitely reduce the amount of rice cereal, too.

stacked chocolate rice cereal bars.

Hands down one of our favorite candies - and so healthy!

Other Favorite Candies

Copycat Butterfinger Candy Bites

Homemade Peppermint Patties

Homemade Mini Almond Joys

Homemade Andes Mints

Inside Out Peanut Butter Cups

a hand holding a crunch bar

These do not last long in our house!

FAQs

Can I make these with butter?

Yup! They of course won't be vegan, but also delicious!

What about another oil?

No, you will need to use something that will solidity so vegetable oil and olive oil won't work.

How do I store them?

In the fridge or freezer. At room temp / warm they will get a little melty and may melt a little in your hands if you take your time eating them. That's why sometimes we cut them into true little bite-sized pieces.

Can I use another sweetener?

Yup! Honey or agave works great.

Enjoy! As always, if you make this recipe or any of my others, I love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below, email me, or you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

stacked chocolate rice cereal bars.

Chocolate Crunch Bars - Vegan

The classic Crunch Bar made at home and Vegan friendly!
4.64 from 11 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Candy
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Low Salt, Vegan, Vegetarian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Freeze: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 9 bars
Author: Tracy

Equipment

  • loaf pan or baking pan

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup cacao powder
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cup gluten free rice cereal or regular if gluten free isn't needed
  • pinch of salt

Instructions

  • Melt coconut oil with cacao powder in small saucepan on low heat.  Add maple syrup, vanilla, and a pinch of salt and mix well.
  • Add rice cereal to a bowl and then add the chocolate mixture and mix well so that the cereal is completely covered.
  • Line a loaf pan or a square baking pan with parchment paper.  Pour in rice cereal and chocolate mixture and flatten into an even level.
  • Place in freezer for 20-30 minutes or until it is completely set.
  • Lift parchment paper out of pan and separate the bar from paper.  Cut into bars (of your choice of size) and enjoy!
  • Keep in freezer or fridge until ready to serve.

Notes

Cut into 9 inch bars or even smaller bite sizes!  
Store in fridge or freezer - they can get a little melty when warm so best to keep refrigerated until serving.   

Nutrition

Calories: 132kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 27mg | Potassium: 105mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 310IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 2mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michele

    June 29, 2021 at 9:07 am

    Hi Tracy,

    Thanks for responding. These are delicious with any combination of coco!

    Michele

    Reply
  2. Michele

    June 20, 2021 at 9:36 am

    Hi Tracy, Please clarify whether it's 1/4 TOTAL for the chocolate powder. While you do show both cacao and cocoa powders in the photo and mention both in the ingredient list, only 1 is mentioned in the instructions. I realize I can combine them, but don't understand the total. Thanks so much.

    Reply
    • Tracy

      June 22, 2021 at 6:02 am

      Hi Michele! The total is 1/2 cup, which you can use a combination of both in any way you'd like. I like to split it 1/4 of each. I just mention the 1 in the ingredient list as chocolate powders but the recipe card notes the amount of each. Enjoy!

      Reply
  3. Enah

    August 02, 2019 at 9:26 pm

    omg i cant wait to try this but with peanuts 😍
    thank you❤

    Reply
    • Tracy

      August 03, 2019 at 8:50 pm

      Peanuts! What a great idea! Let me know how they turn out! 😀

      Reply
  4. Deb

    July 11, 2019 at 3:41 am

    5 stars
    I’ve been making this recipe since I found it about a year ago. I now have to make big batches because my family can’t stop eating it all as soon as it’s made. It is not too sweet and goes well with fruit and yoghurt which is how we like to eat it

    Reply
    • Tracy

      July 11, 2019 at 9:57 am

      Deb! I LOVE that! Thank you so much for sharing! So glad you and your family enjoy it!

      Reply
  5. Carmy

    July 06, 2019 at 7:29 pm

    5 stars
    I got a bunch of rice cereal and this is calling my name!

    Reply
  6. Donna

    March 13, 2019 at 9:50 pm

    I have all the ingredients except for the pure maple syrup could I substitute with molasses?

    Reply
    • Tracy

      March 18, 2019 at 8:14 am

      Hi Donna, I've never tried this with molasses but because it's so much thicker and isn't quite as sweet, I think it'll change the bar quite a bit. But if you do try it, let me know how it goes!

      Reply
  7. Catalina

    February 23, 2019 at 2:19 pm

    5 stars
    I love crunchy chocolate bars. These would be perfect for our afternoon snack with a big cup of tea!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      February 24, 2019 at 9:18 pm

      Definitely!

      Reply
  8. Emmeline Kemperyd

    February 23, 2019 at 3:33 am

    Oh this just reminded me of these chocolate rice crisps I used to get for Saturday candy when I was a kid - sooo yummy and so addictive! And now I'm seriusly craving them so I'll give your vegan kind a test! Looks absolutely yummy!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      February 24, 2019 at 9:18 pm

      Thanks, Emmeline!

      Reply
  9. Veronica

    February 20, 2019 at 11:56 am

    5 stars
    This was super easy and quick to make as well as yummy to eat. I added loads more Rice Krispies. There was no room in the freezer so I put it in the fridge and it still solidified so I could cut it into bars. They were all gone by the next day!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      February 20, 2019 at 1:28 pm

      That's great to hear, Veronica! We never have them around much longer than a day!

      Reply
  10. Savannah

    October 19, 2018 at 11:49 am

    Oh my...
    These remind me of those Crunch chocolate bars, which I used to LOVE, but haven't had in, like, forever. These are seriously perfect, and I am going to the store RIGHT NOW, so I can make them!

    Reply
  11. Jill

    September 30, 2018 at 11:27 am

    I hope it's not too late to ask a question about this recipe! I saw that someone asked a question about the cocoa, but I don't understand. If this doesn't mean unsweetened baking cocoa, what does it mean? I already bought the GF cereal, and I can't currently eat sugar, so I'm hoping to still be able to make them!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      October 02, 2018 at 9:19 pm

      Hi Jill! Not too late at all, sorry I missed this a couple of days ago! Basically you can use whatever you'd like - cacao or cocoa, sweetended or un. It depends on your taste. I like cacao because it's richer and healthier, or an unsweetened cocoa because it's sweetened by the maple syrup. Using sweetened would make a much sweeter bar, but if you like sweet, go for it! 😀 Let me know how they turn out!

      Reply
      • Jill

        October 04, 2018 at 6:33 pm

        I'm so impressed that you answered! I'll try to let you know how they turn out! Thanks!

        Reply
        • Tracy

          October 04, 2018 at 9:32 pm

          😀

          Reply
  12. Jill

    March 18, 2017 at 10:51 am

    These look great! Any suggestions for a substitute for maple syrup ?

    Reply
    • Tracy

      March 18, 2017 at 8:38 pm

      Agave or any other natural sweetner would be great!

      Reply
  13. Madeleine

    January 15, 2017 at 1:37 pm

    Would like to know the carb and sodium counts of vegan brown rice cereal

    Reply
    • Tracy

      January 16, 2017 at 4:35 pm

      Hi Madeleine, here's a website that has the nutritional value of the cereal. Thanks for visiting! http://www.vitacost.com/one-degree-organic-foods-sprouted-brown-rice-crisps-cereal-8-oz

      Reply
  14. Barbara

    January 02, 2017 at 12:04 pm

    Although yummy these bars melted and smooshed when combined in a cookie gift package with other cookies. Serve alone and keep frozen until ready to serve.

    Reply
    • Tracy

      January 03, 2017 at 2:40 pm

      Oooh yes, I'm sorry, they're not a good one for cookie gift bags / packages! I'll make a note in the recipe now!

      Reply
  15. Sylvia

    December 16, 2016 at 1:59 pm

    It tastes great, I can't stop eating it! Only, Rice cereal turns chewy after a day or two and actually it never was crispy.. Maybe I should have cooled the cocoa-coconut mixture before combining it with cereal? What's Your experience with crispiness?

    Reply
    • Tracy

      December 17, 2016 at 7:14 pm

      Hi Sylvia! That's a really good point. I've thought about maybe toasting the cereal before to help it maintain it's crunch. I haven't tried it yet, but it's on my list for the next batch; I'll let you know how it works out!

      Reply
      • Christina

        February 17, 2017 at 9:03 pm

        I had the same question, mine were soggy right out of the freezer (I added them in untoasted when it was hot). Did you find a way to keep it crunchy?

        Reply
  16. Rhonda

    December 08, 2016 at 10:24 am

    Can you use honey instead of the syrup?

    Reply
    • Tracy

      December 09, 2016 at 11:47 am

      I don't see why not! Let me know how it turns out!

      Reply
  17. Kristine

    November 08, 2016 at 10:00 am

    Does this use regular or unsweetened cocoa powder? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      November 16, 2016 at 9:30 am

      Regular! 😀

      Reply
  18. Dev

    October 14, 2016 at 10:41 pm

    Wow! these chocolate bars look incredibly delicious, I made chocolate walnut fudge the other day and now I am going to make these bars next time. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  19. Cheryl

    August 30, 2016 at 2:16 pm

    Looks so easy? Can't wait to make them, thanks??

    Reply
  20. Brianna Franzese

    August 20, 2016 at 2:32 pm

    I just made these and totally wish I had seen this recipe sooner! I have been making chocolate with the same ingredients for a year or so and never though to add the veganic rice krispies! My 4 year old and I loved them. I could have eaten the whole pan if I didn't force myself to stop. Next time I am going to double or tripe the recipe. That's probably not a good idea... :-0

    Reply
    • Tracy

      August 22, 2016 at 11:37 am

      Hi Brianna! That's so great!! The best part about these crunch bars- they're not full of all that other junk so doubling or tripling the recipe- no problem! 😉 So glad you enjoyed them!

      Reply
  21. laura

    August 03, 2016 at 11:50 am

    I wonder if there is a way to add almond butter or peanut butter to these so there is some protein. Maybe melting a little less chocolate and putting nut butter in?

    Reply
    • Tracy

      August 04, 2016 at 6:44 pm

      That's a great idea, Laura! Adding in some nut butter to the mixture would definitely work and be delicious. I'll have to experiment with that next time I make them 🙂

      Reply
  22. Keshia

    July 27, 2016 at 6:10 am

    The ingredient list says cocoa powder but the instructions say cacao powder. Which one should I use?

    Reply
    • Tracy

      July 27, 2016 at 8:46 am

      Hi Keisha- thanks for letting me know about the typo! You can use either- they're interchangeable. Cocao is healthier, but more expensive. Totally up to you!

      Reply
  23. Kristin

    July 08, 2016 at 9:58 am

    I can't have fat of any kind, how would this be without the coconut oil?? I want to try them, they sound so good

    Reply
    • Tracy

      July 27, 2016 at 8:48 am

      Hi Kristin, hmmm I'm sure they'll work, but "won't" quite taste the same. Also, cocoa powder still has a little fat in it too, so be careful there! Good luck!

      Reply
  24. Jrobs

    May 20, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    My son is allergic to coconut any substitute you think I could use?

    Reply
    • Tracy

      May 25, 2016 at 10:22 pm

      If you don't need to keep it vegan, you could use butter. Or vegetable oil would probably work as well!

      Reply
  25. Kathy

    April 29, 2016 at 6:00 pm

    These are GREAT. I used Kashi Vanila Pepita cereal and it was amazing. Gives you that chocolate fix when you need one.

    Reply
    • Tracy

      May 02, 2016 at 7:25 am

      Oooh Kashi vanilla pepita sounds AWESOME - I'll have to try that in my next batch! Thanks for the tip, Kathy! 😀

      Reply
  26. Adisa

    April 08, 2016 at 1:59 pm

    I would use next time milk chocolate instead of cocoa. My preference. It was too bitter for my taste.

    Reply
    • Tracy

      April 10, 2016 at 8:18 pm

      Great tip, Adisa! I use that when I don't want it to be vegan 🙂

      Reply
    • Susan

      January 11, 2019 at 8:46 pm

      EnjSuoy Life makes a rice milk chocolate that is sweet and not bitter at all. It may work for you if you want the candy to remain vegan. Susan

      Reply
  27. Lzz

    March 27, 2016 at 9:24 am

    Freezer definitely seems faster-- but could you also put them in the fridge (if you don't have a freezer)? If so, do you have a guess for how long for them to set?

    Thanks! These look awesome!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      March 28, 2016 at 8:24 am

      Hi! Hmmm I'd guess maybe an hour? You really just want to set the chocolate so an hour should be plenty! Let me know how it goes!

      Reply
  28. Emma {Emma's Little Kitchen}

    March 21, 2016 at 7:28 am

    Made these today, they're great! My son gobbled them up 🙂

    Reply
    • Tracy

      March 21, 2016 at 4:18 pm

      Oh yay!! Aren't they super fun?!

      Reply
  29. mlg

    December 07, 2015 at 11:46 am

    These look so good. Do you think I could double the recipe and put it in 9 x13 pan?

    Reply
    • Tracy

      December 08, 2015 at 6:45 am

      Totally! They may be a little bit thicker, but they'll still be just as delicious!

      Reply
  30. Chantel

    December 06, 2015 at 1:10 pm

    Do you think these would work if I added natural peanut butter?

    Reply
    • Tracy

      December 06, 2015 at 7:09 pm

      Oh totally! It'll still freeze the same and I think it'll add a nice flavor!! Let me know how they turn out!

      Reply
  31. Anisa

    November 15, 2015 at 11:26 pm

    Made these today - they are delicious (and SUPER easy to make)!! Definitely saving this recipe and making it often. The only thing I changed was I added way more rice crispies (like roughly 1-2 more cups) as I found the mixture too runny. Evidently it took longer to set in the freezer because it was thicker so I might use a different pan (like an 8x8) next time. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      November 17, 2015 at 4:58 pm

      That's so great to hear, Anisa!! That's a GREAT idea adding more rice crispies - I bet they added a super delicious extra crunch! 😀

      Reply
  32. Diane

    September 17, 2015 at 2:00 pm

    My Husband will be begging me for these on a regular basis! Yum. and good for you! Pinned

    Reply
  33. crendina

    November 08, 2014 at 4:46 am

    mmmh! a great classic! I often make a cake with rice and chocolate instead of the bars ... but also these are so cute 🙂

    Reply
    • Tracy

      November 12, 2014 at 3:20 pm

      Thanks!! And what a great idea for cake!!

      Reply
  34. eloisesedibles

    November 03, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    Oh wow! These look amazing! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  35. Shari

    November 03, 2014 at 11:38 am

    These are one of my favorite candy bars to buy. I can't believe how easy they are to make. So impressive! I never would have guessed you could just combine such a small amount of ingredients to make these. Thanks for sharing this. I hope you have a great birthday, Tracy!

    Reply
  36. Feast Wisely

    November 02, 2014 at 10:46 pm

    I'd choose these any day over something that comes pre-packaged - so easy to make too

    Reply
    • Tracy

      November 03, 2014 at 10:14 am

      Thanks! They're super easy and so much better for you 🙂

      Reply
  37. Vegan Flavorista

    November 02, 2014 at 4:42 am

    These look decadent. I am almost afraid to make them---because I know I won't be able to stop eating them 🙂

    Reply
    • Tracy

      November 02, 2014 at 5:30 pm

      Haha! We're having the same problem! 😉

      Reply
  38. mmmarzipan

    November 02, 2014 at 12:46 am

    These look amazing!!! <3 Happy birthday in advance!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      November 02, 2014 at 5:29 pm

      Aw thank you!! 😀

      Reply
  39. isabella

    November 01, 2014 at 9:54 pm

    Yum! These chocolate bars are, like, my IDEAL snack!! 🙂
    XOXO,
    <3 Isabella

    Reply
    • Tracy

      November 02, 2014 at 5:29 pm

      Oooh Isabella they're an amazing snack- and not nearly as bad as the "real" thing! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

      Reply

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