Microwave Peanut Brittle
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This Microwave Peanut Brittle recipe is the easiest you’ll ever make! It’s made with basic ingredients, is virtually foolproof and you get a perfectly crisp texture and an irresistibly nutty, caramel like flavor. The perfect holiday treat or homemade gift.
Peanut brittle tends to have a reputation as a dessert that’s “easy” to mess up, but this recipe is pretty fail proof. I love peanut brittle around the holidays, and this easy microwave peanut brittle takes the cake for simple and yummy! Candy recipes like this one and Christmas Crack are some of my favorite things to make around Christmas.
If you want a peanut brittle recipe that is classic and easy to follow, you’ll love this recipe. So put on your candy making hat, and get to cooking!
Why You’ll Love this Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe
- This easy microwave peanut brittle only takes a total of 15 minutes to make! Everyone loves a quick and simple candy recipe.
- Learning how to make microwave peanut brittle will give you an extra dessert that won’t take up precious oven space during all of your holiday baking!
- Microwave peanut brittle lasts for a really long time, so it’s a great dessert to make ahead!
Ingredients for Microwave Peanut Brittle
- Unsalted Peanuts – I personally like unsalted peanuts so I can control the sweet n’ savory level of the peanut brittle. The salt level of salted peanuts can be overwhelming in peanut brittle.
- Vanilla – A little splash of vanilla helps elevate the flavor of this easy microwave peanut brittle.
- Butter – You can use salted or unsalted, both will work great!
- Corn Syrup – This is what makes peanut brittle candy-like. It helps give a smooth texture and sweetens the peanut brittle.
- Sugar – When used this microwave peanut brittle recipe, the sugar caramelizes to create that sweet, crunchy, brittle.
- Baking Soda – Baking soda will help create the little air pockets and bubbles that microwave peanut brittle needs to stay light and crunchy.
Helpful Tools
How to make Microwave Peanut Brittle
Before making anything, be sure to grease a baking sheet thoroughly with butter. You’ll want this ready to go so you’re not rushing later when you’re ready to spread the microwave peanut brittle mixture out to set.
In your microwave safe glass bowl, mix together the corn syrup, sugar, salt and heat in the microwave for 3.5 minutes.
Stir in your unsalted peanuts and then microwave again until light brown. Then, stir in the butter and vanilla and microwave for another minute and a half.
Add the baking soda and stir it thoroughly and then quickly pour onto your butter baking sheet.
Let the peanut brittle set, and then break into pieces and serve!
How to Store Peanut Brittle
Store your microwave peanut brittle in an airtight container at room temperature. Avoid storing in the fridge because any condensation could make the brittle chewy.
My peanut brittle got stuck to the baking sheet. What do I do?
If you find that your peanut brittle is getting stuck, you could try spreading it onto parchment paper or a buttered slip mat.
Why Is My Peanut Brittle Chewy?
You may end up with chewy peanut brittle if you did not cook the mixture long enough. If your peanut brittle is chewy after being stored, there is most likely excess moisture where you are storing it that has made it chewy.
How long does peanut brittle take to harden?
I like to let my microwave peanut brittle set for about 20-30 minutes before breaking it into pieces.
Pro Tips for the best Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe
- Quickly rinse your glass bowl in warm, soapy, water to keep the remnants of your brittle mixture from sticking to the bowl.
- Change things up a bit by switching out peanuts for pecans, cashews, walnuts, or any other nut.
- If you find your peanut brittle to be too thick, use a bigger baking sheet or other surface to spread it out more and make it thinner.
I love this super simple, crowd favorite, classic. Three cheers for easy peanut brittle that is light and crispy and won’t break your tooth!
More Candy Recipes You’ll Love
- This Buckeye Candy recipe is super easy and so yummy!
- Need a super quick and festive candy recipe? Try these Sugared Cranberries!
- This Bunny Bait is a fun Easter candy!
- These Rolo Pretzels are a great simple dessert that you can adapt for year round festivities!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup corn syrup
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cup unsalted peanuts
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Butter a rimmed cookie sheet and set aside.
- In a glass bowl stir together sugar, syrup and salt in a glass safe bowl. Microwave for 3.5 minutes.
- Stir in the peanuts and microwave for an additional 3 minutes or until light brown.
- Stir in butter and vanilla and microwave an additional 1.5 minutes.
- Add baking soda and gently stir until light and foamy. Quickly pour mixture onto prepared cookie sheet. Gently rotate the pan to spread mixture until it's a 1/2'' thick.
- Let the peanut brittle cool until it's set. Break the candy into small pieces and store in an airtight container.
Tips
- Have your cookie sheet buttered before you make the peanut brittle because it sets up fast.
- You can also use parchment paper to pour your brittle onto.
- Wondering why we use baking soda? Baking soda makes the brittle tender by adding air bubbles, giving it a porous texture.
- To store this candy simply layer the brittle in an air tight container and place parchment or wax paper between the layers.
- Peanut Brittle will keep in an airtight container for up to two months so it’s a great make ahead candy.
- Switch things up and substitute the peanuts for cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts or pecans.
Philippa says
Quick, easy and delicious. I used raw peanuts in their skin. I used liquid glucose instead of corn syrup ( I am in Australia) and it worked perfectly. Took a couple of extra minutes to turn light brown, but I just kept checking and giving an extra minute till I saw the colour start to develop. Otherwise followed the recipe. Absolutely delicious!
George says
This is the easiest and best thing you will ever make. I’m on my 3rd batch and developing a mild addiction lol! Rave reviews from all I’ve given it to.
Courtney says
Yay!! Love the simplicity & deliciousness of this recipe! Thank you for the wonderful comment!
STEPHANIE says
Thank you so much for this recipe! I have never made peanut brittle before and after researching i decided to try your recipe for my first attempt. I appreciate that I didn’t need to run out and purchase a candy thermometer…haha. I followed your recipe exactly to the T and it turned out perfect!! Oh……..any advice on best way to clean the glass mixing bowl after?
George says
I found clean up easy with a 5 minute soak in very hot water.
Connie says
Followed directions exactly and it stuck majorly to the pan😢
Dawn says
Can u give the measurements so I can understand them please?
Darrel says
Easy to make and turns out great! Hard part in Texas is getting a day that’s not too humid!
Doris says
So much easier than stirring and watching a candy thermometer. Comes out perfect every time.
Teresa says
We love this brittle
Courtney says
So great to hear! Thanks for rating this recipe!
Delilah says
I have been making this peanut brittle for years. The recipe is spot on for a 1200 volt microwave with 2 small changes. Only use 1 cup of peanuts or at best no more than 1 1/4 cups. Reduce the last cooking time to 1 minute. Perfect every time.
Courtney says
Thank you for rating and trying this recipe! Glad you were able to make the changes needed for your microwave!
Cathy says
Wow! This is a terrific recipe. Thank you so much.
Phyllisfrankel says
Microwave too long and turned black. burnt!!!
Patty Riesett says
I have a very high wattage microwave and after just the first 5 minutes of cooking and while stirring in the peanuts for the second step, I found that it was setting up already and getting hard to stir. I only cooked it for another 2 minutes instead of the recommended 3, then stirred in the butter, vanilla and baking soda. It didn’t spread easily into the pan and barely covered half of it. I let it cool at room temp for a couple of minutes and then placed it in the freezer for a few more minutes. It broke apart quite easily thereafter and met with my husband’s approval. I think next time I’m going to adjust the first cooking time limit, so that I can do the full 3 minutes for the second step.
Sharon Morris says
I was wondering, what wattage microwave do you use to make this?
Nancy E All says
I have been making this for awhile. Lost my recipe so glad to have this one. Love making candy in the microwave.
Julie Evink says
Great to hear Nancy! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Sandy says
Come’s out perfect every time
Julie Evink says
Wonderful to hear Sandy! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Deb says
I have salted peanuts would I reduce the amount of salt the recipe calls for?
Julie Evink says
Yes I would.
Brenda Barrs says
Something else that’s really great sprinkled on peanut brittle you may find hard to believe but try it and that’s Old Bay seafood seasoning that comes in a small can in spice section or seafood section of the grocery store just a different spin on the flavor but great
Julie Evink says
So interesting!