Easy Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe

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Total Time 15 minutes

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This Easy Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe takes a delicious holiday treat and makes it easy by using the microwave. It’ll come out crunchy and with the perfect mixture of sweet and salty. You’ll never to back to stovetop!

If you’re looking for tasty holiday treats, check out my super easy Homemade English Toffee, 3-Ingredient Peppermint Bark, Churro Toffee (Disneyland copycat!), Pecan Pie Roll-Ups, and my Candied Pecans Recipe.

pieces of peanut brittle piled on cutting board

Why This Recipe Works

Sweet & Savory: One of the reasons why I love peanut brittle is that perfect combination of savory and sweet. The caramel, buttery flavor of the brittle along with the salty, nutty flavor of the peanuts just combines so perfectly. And with this easy microwave peanut brittle, you get all of that flavor made easy.

Simple: Anything that can be made in a microwave is just absolutely simple to make. Have you ever wondered how to make peanut brittle? This easy peanut brittle recipe can literally be made by anyone and it is so delicious and impressive! If you look at peanut brittle recipes and feel intimidated, don’t fret. This no thermometer brittle recipe makes things super easy without sacrificing any flavor.

Shareable: Something beautiful about this recipe is that you can whip up a bunch of it and share with friends and family as little holiday gifts! Wrap it up with a little bow, and they will absolutely love it.

Ingredients

ingredients for peanut brittle recipe
  • Dry Roasted Peanuts- Dry Roasted Peanuts are the best for this recipe. They are the perfect balance of salty and nutty!
  • Granulated Sugar– The brittle mixture is made of melted granulated sugar which can be perfectly melted in the microwave.
  • Light Corn Syrup– A little bit of light corn syrup is added for flavor and texture.
  • Salt– A bit of extra salt is good to balance the sweetness.
  • Vanilla Extract– Vanilla is added for extra flavor.
  • Butter– Butter makes the brittle creamier and more like caramel.
  • Baking Soda– A little bit of baking soda is added to make the brittle a bit fluffier. It will still be nice and crunchy!

Here’s How to Make It

six steps of preparing peanut brittle recipe
  1. Grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper and set aside. Pre-measure your ingredients and have them ready to go. (not pictured)
  2. In a microwave safe bowl, combine, sugar, and corn syrup. Microwave for 3 minutes, stirring halfway through. (photos 1-2)
  3. Stir in peanuts and microwave 3 minutes longer. (photo 3)
  4. Stir in butter, vanilla and salt and then microwave for 1 minute longer until mixture is a deep golden brown. Watch the mixture carefully at this step and make sure not to burn. (photo 4)
  5. Quickly stir in baking soda (just until mixture is foamy). Immediately pour the mixture onto a prepared baking sheet and spread as needed with a greased rubber spatula or spoon. (photos 5-6)
  6. Allow to cool for 15 minutes or until completely hardened. Break into pieces using a butter knife and enjoy your easy peanut brittle!
  7. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 10 days.
peanut brittle candy cooling on sheet pan

Expert Tips

  • Be sure to pre-measure your ingredients before starting the process, as it will go fast and you’ll want everything to be ready!
  • Since every microwave is different, keep an eye on your mixture at each stage to make sure it isn’t burning.
  • This easy microwave peanut brittle recipe is versatile, so make it your own! You can add different nuts besides peanuts like almonds and cashews for a delicious nut brittle!
  • Drizzle the top with a chocolate drizzle for added flavor and sweetness!
pile of peanut brittle pieces on cutting board with pinecones

More Easy Dessert Recipes to Try

Did you make this recipe? FANTASTIC. Please rate the recipe below and be sure to tag me on social when you share a photo on social – I love seeing what you’re up to in the kitchen!

up close view of peanut brittle pieces
4.94 from 16 votes

Easy Microwave Peanut Brittle

This Easy Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe takes a delicious holiday treat and makes it easy by using the microwave. It'll come out crunchy and with the perfect mixture of sweet and salty. You'll never to back to stovetop!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
0 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
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Ingredients 

  • 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light corn syrup
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions 

  • Grease a baking sheet and set aside. Pre-measure your ingredients and have them all ready to go.
  • In a microwave safe bowl, sugar, and corn syrup. Microwave for 3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  • Stir in peanuts. Return to microwave for 3 minutes.
  • Stir in butter, vanilla and salt and then microwave for 1 minute longer until mixture is a deep golden brown. Watch the mixture carefully at this step and make sure not to burn.
  • Quickly stir in baking soda (just until mixture is foamy). Pour immediately onto greased baking sheet and spread as needed with a greased rubber spatula or spoon.
  • Allow cool 15 minutes or until hardened and cooled. Break into pieces (I just use a butter knife to crack it apart), and store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 10 days.

Notes

Microwave tip: newer microwaves tend to have higher wattage and therefore cook faster. Keep an eye on your peanut brittle mixture to be sure it doesn’t burn. Refer to photos for color matching. 

Nutrition

Calories: 324kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 380mg | Potassium: 189mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this?Leave a star rating or comment below!

Original recipe from here.

Tiffany of Creme de la Crumb in the kitchen

Welcome!

Hey there, I’m Tiffany – chef, photographer, mother, and avid taco eater. I am passionate about turning simple flavors and ingredients into tasty meals the whole family will love, with minimal prep and cleanup so there’s more time to spend eating and enjoying. Stay awhile, and help yourself to a taco or two!

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4.94 from 16 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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26 Comments

  1. Brenda says:

    Can you double the recipe if you adjust the time cooking

    1. Tiffany says:

      This recipe hasn’t been tested doubled but I’m sure you could! Just make sure that it’s stirred thoroughly.

  2. Suzie says:

    5 stars
    Turned out perfect! Followed the directions exactly and perfect peanut brittle…Thanks for the recipe.

    1. Tiffany says:

      So glad it turned out well! 🙂

  3. Cynthia G says:

    Mine came out tasting burt. Had a pretty color, followed every step. I have a 1050watt microwave. Please help.

    1. Tiffany says:

      1000 watts is an average temperature for normal/unadjusted microwave temperatures and should be fine following the recipe as is/ However, if yours got burned, you need to do less time in the microwave. every microwave is different, so keep an eye on your mixture at each stage to make sure it isn’t burning. Hopes this helps for next time!

  4. Pete Taylor says:

    Using a 1000 watt microwave does the recommended time remain the same?

    1. Tiffany says:

      1000 watts is an average temperature for normal/unadjusted microwave temperatures and should be fine following the recipe as is 🙂

  5. Charlotte Groves says:

    Can parchment paper be used instead of greasing pan? For the peanut brittle

    1. Tiffany says:

      Yes 🙂

  6. Eva W says:

    5 stars
    I’ve been making this recipe for several years now. So fast and makes eater friendly peanut brittle unlike the rock hard stuff made without baking soda.

  7. Julie says:

    Just made the Peanut Brittle.. was easy & Good. I would use a very large glass measuring glass container with a handle next time. This did not make a large amount. So count on needing to make a few more batches for a HAPPY FAMILY!