Today I’m sharing a gently adapted recipe for No-Bake Avalanche Candy Bars from The Simple Kitchen by Chad and Donna Ellick. I received a courtesy copy from Page Street Publishers for review and was not compensated to write this. All opinions, photos, and recipes are my own.
This is my favorite time of year — sweater weather and food-sharing season. I find comfort in bustling around a warm kitchen while chilly winds pick up outside. I cook a lot, and even with the crowd I feed at home, I often hand out treats to friends and family. It’s a delightful kind of symbiosis: I get the joy of cooking, and they get snacks.
No-Bake Avalanche Candy Bars are perfect for this season. They take only minutes to assemble and then set while you run errands, make dinner, or watch a show. They’re essentially a Nestle Crunch meets rocky road: chocolate, peanut butter, crispy rice, and fluffy marshmallows all in one simple candy bar.
One pan goes a long way, so a small bit of effort yields plenty to eat and share. Bonus: these bars are naturally gluten-free, making them a great contribution to a party tray or a thoughtful hostess gift.
No-Bake Avalanche Bars
The original recipe in The Simple Kitchen calls for candy melts, chocolate chips, and German chocolate. I prefer dark or bittersweet chocolate, so I substituted it for a slightly less sweet final result. The bars are still candy — just a touch darker in chocolate flavor. I tested the recipe both ways and can confirm it works beautifully using the book’s method as well.
For the peanut butter I used an all-natural crunchy variety with no stirring required, but any crunchy peanut butter (or sunflower butter) you like will work. I also recommend a pinch of coarse kosher salt — it brightens the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Tools
- Large glass or microwave-safe bowl
- Silicone spatula
- 9 x 13-inch baking pan
- Aluminum foil
- Cutting board and chef’s knife (for chopping chocolate if needed)
Why this recipe is easy
This no-fuss dessert requires no baking and minimal cleanup. Melt chocolate, stir in peanut butter, fold in crispy rice and marshmallows, press into a pan, and chill. It’s fast, crowd-pleasing, and ideal for holiday candy trays.
No-Bake Avalanche Candy Bars
Ingredients
- 2 pounds dark chocolate, chopped (use any combination you prefer)
- 2 cups crunchy peanut butter
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- 3 cups crispy rice cereal
- 3/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, shiny side down. Spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Place the chopped chocolate in a large microwave-safe bowl. Melt at 50% power in 30-second bursts, stirring after each burst, until smooth.
- Stir the peanut butter into the warm chocolate until fully incorporated.
- Add the crispy rice cereal, mini marshmallows, and salt. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Let rest at cool room temperature until firm, or speed the process by chilling in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Once set, cut into 24 to 48 pieces, depending on the portion size you prefer.
Yield: about 24–48 pieces. Serving size estimate: 1 piece.
About The Simple Kitchen
Photos: Each recipe includes a photo, so you can see the final result before you start.
Difficulty: Easy — recipes are written for cooks with basic kitchen experience and include helpful tips throughout.
Ingredients: Most ingredients are easy to find in a well-stocked grocery store; the book focuses on accessible, family-friendly food.
Recipes tested: No-Bake Avalanche Bars and Chili Lime Steak Bites — both were excellent. The steak bites are great for game-day gatherings.
Recipes to try next: Cheesy Taco Skillet, Crisp Apple Spinach Salad with Chicken, Slow Cooker Bourbon Brown Sugar Meatballs, Hearty Beef Soup, and 10-Minute Garlic Parmesan Broccoli.
Recommendation: Yes. The Simple Kitchen is a practical, flavor-forward cookbook ideal for busy cooks who want satisfying, approachable meals.
Other homemade candy recipes to try
Poprocks Candy Bark
Salted Pepita Brittle
Easy Salted Caramel Fudge
Enjoy making these no-bake candy bars — they’re fast, tasty, and perfect for sharing.