Pitchfork Foodie » Course » Desserts » Easy Microwave Peanut Brittle
By: Amy on  |Updated:
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Microwave Peanut Brittle is a million times better than store-bought peanut brittle! My mother-in-law makes it every year for Christmas, and I can’t contain myself when I’m around it! You’ve need this candy to be part of your tradition too!
When I was a kid I always wanted my mom to let us make candy for Christmas. You know the candy recipes that you need a candy thermometer for.
Super easy candy recipes were more her thing. She always said those other recipes were too hard to make and they usually don’t turn out.
So, when my mother-in-law shared her peanut brittle recipe with me I was scared to make it…until I found out it was a microwave peanut brittle recipe!
You guys, it’s so easy to make. Even my mom would approve of it because it’s so quick and simple!
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Simple ingredients are all you need.
- 15 minutes of hands-on time + cooling time is how quickly this comes together.
- It’s a recipe for microwave peanut brittle. It doesn’t get any easier than that! No stove-top. No candy thermometer.
- I’ve tested it several times to get the timing right…I’ve got tips for getting it right in your microwave!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED:
- Granulated Sugar
- Light Corn Syrup – Just do it! It’s necessary!
- Peanuts – unsalted and roasted
- Salt – regular table salt
- Butter – salted or unsalted
- Vanilla
- Baking Soda
HOW TO MAKE THIS PEANUT BRITTLE RECIPE IN THE MICROWAVE:
STEP 1: Cook sugar and corn syrup in the microwave.
STEP 2: Add peanuts and salt. Microwave again.
STEP 3: Add butter and vanilla. Microwave again.
STEP 4: Add baking soda. Pour and spread.
Little Dairy on the Prairie Pro Tip: Cook times will vary depending on your microwave wattage. Watch closely during the final cook time. You might need to cut 30 seconds or so off of the cooking time. Once you get the timing perfect for your microwave write it down for next time!
RECIPE FAQs
Why does peanut brittle have baking soda?
Baking soda creates bubbles in the brittle which makes it less dense. It’s easier to crack with air pockets.
How to store peanut brittle?
Store it in an air-tight container at room temperature. Storing it in the fridge will make it sticky. It will last up to 2 months.
Why is peanut brittle chewy?
Peanut brittle has to get to a certain temperature to help it set up hard enough to crack. If you’re brittle is chewy, try microwaving it longer before adding the baking soda.
OTHER EASY MICROWAVE CANDY RECIPES
Microwave candy recipes are the BEST! They’re so quick and easy and typically only take a few ingredients.
You can manage to make these even on the craziest days!
- Graham Cracker Bark– Copycat OMG bark. Insanely easy and delicious.
- No-Bake S’mores Bites – energy balls
- Caramel Bugles – 5-minute recipe
- Easy Microwave Caramels – the best soft caramels
- Avalanche Popcorn – white chocolate and peanut butter
- Christmas Chex Mix – with white chocolate and M&Ms
- Other Easy Candy Recipes
Microwave Peanut Brittle
5 from 2 votes
Servings 20 Servings
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
If you are a little intimidated of candy thermometers this Microwave Peanut Brittle recipe is for you! It’s easy to make and only takes a few minutes! I also love that it makes a fairly small batch!
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
- 1 cup peanuts
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 Tablespoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
Generously grease a half sheet baking pan, or cover with parchment paper and grease. Set aside.
In a large microwavable mixing bowl stir together sugar and corn syrup. Microwave on high power for 3 1/2 minutes.
Add peanuts and salt. Stir. Microwave on high power for 3 minutes.
Stir in butter and vanilla extract. Microwave on high between 1 1/2 minutes. Watch carefully to make sure it doesn't get too dark. See NOTE below.
Remove from microwave and add baking soda. Stir.
Quickly pour on the prepared baking sheet. Spread into a thin layer. The more you spread the fewer bubbles it will have. So leave it thicker for more airy peanut brittle and spread it thinner for more dense brittle. See NOTE below.
Cool completely. Break into pieces.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 months.
Notes
Cook Time:
Cook time will vary depending on the wattage of your microwave. If your microwave cooks really hot you will need to reduce the cooking time. Watch it closely during the last minute and a half of cooking taking care to not let it get too dark.
Spreading the Brittle:
The more you spread the brittle the less airy and delicate it will be. You can heat the baking sheet a little bit before pouring the brittle on it. Tip the cookie sheet from side to side to help the brittle spread without using a spoon or a spatula.
Peanuts:
Raw Spanish Peanuts, Roasted, Salted, or Unsalted are all great options.
Nutrition
Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 191mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 17IU | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg
Reader Interactions
Comments
Kinipela says
This recipe is great! Do you think it would work with macadamia nuts? Living in Hawaii, I get tons of those and love macnu*t brittle.Reply
Amy Engberson says
Hmmm! I don’t really eat many macadamia nuts since I live in Idaho! I haven’t ever tried using them in this recipe, but I think it would work just fine. Let me know if you try it!
Reply
Linda morrison says
Hi Amy . Thanks for the recipe. I’ve mae it before. Afriend of my mom gave it to us. But all of my recipes burned up in the Paradise Campfire. So now I’m attempting to collect them again. It is so easy to make. Thanks again.
Reply
Amy Engberson says
Hi Linda! I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. There are so many things that are just not replaceable. I hope this tastes exactly like the recipe you lost!
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Lucie van Ree says
Hola Amy,
I would like to make your peanutbrittle, it looks great to me, but I have no idea what a 1 T butter exactly is. I am from Holland and I am living in Spain now. Butter is always measured in grams here, but if you could tell me how many pounds or ounces 1 T is I can easily transform it to grams. I look forward to pepare the peanutbrittle. LThank you so much for sharing this. Love from Spain, LucieReply
Amy Engberson says
Hi Lucie! One Tablespoon of butter is 14.2 grams. Hope that helps! Enjoy!
Reply
Martha says
Woo Hoo!!!! This microwave peanut brittle is out of this world. I never made it before. Thank you so much for sharing. It will be hard not to eat all of this in one setting. Yum………….
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Amy Engberson says
Yay! So glad you love it! It is pretty darn tasty! Merry Christmas!
Reply
Helen says
I’ve used this recipe for 29+ years and it never fails. I’m going to try the Carmel’s hope I have good luck,
Amy Engberson says
I love that it’s a foolproof recipe! I can’t wait for you to try the caramels! They’re so yummy!
Cheryl Fullerton says
Thank you for the recipes! Adding the peanut brittle and the lemon fudge to my ‘new addition’ book. I add at least one new recipe every year to my baking list, can’t get boring 🙂
Hope mine come out as good as yours look!Cheryl
Reply
Amy Engberson says
I love that you add something new every year! There are so many tempting recipes to try it’s hard to choose just one! These are both good choices though! Happy baking!
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Jen @ The Weary Chef says
Peanut brittle is one of my favorite sweets! I’m definitely trying this! Thanks for the recipe!
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Amy Engberson says
Your welcome! Making it in the microwave makes the whole process so much easier!
Reply
Great step by step instructions! I remember how nervous I was the first time I made brittle!
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Michelle Goth says
I had no idea you could microwave peanut brittle! That’s amazing and makes it so much easier!
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Amy Engberson says
Anytime I can find a shortcut I’m a happy girl! Hope you love it! Merry Christmas!
Reply
Love this microwave version of a classic!
Reply
That brittle looks awesome and I love how easy it is to make!
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Amy Engberson says
Thanks! It’s an addicting little treat!
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Erren says
This looks so simple to make, must try!
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Amy Engberson says
It is simple! I can whip up a batch even on the busiest days!
Reply
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