Microwave Peanut Brittle
This easy Microwave Peanut Brittle recipe is one you’ll make over and over again. The simple preparation can only be topped by the taste. It’s crisp and buttery with a bit of chewy in between, giving it that sweet and salty vibe that’s irresistible. Make it in minutes in your microwave, and you can enjoy delectable peanut brittle anytime of year.
Ingredients to Make Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe
When researching different techniques of making peanut brittle, I came across many versions of microwave brittle recipes. I was more than a little surprised, that not one of them discussed the wattage of the microwave they used to make the particular recipe. That’s a crucial piece of information, if you ask me. The ingredients are all essentially the same, but the amounts and cooking time does vary depending on the microwave wattage. This easy peanut brittle recipe was developed using a 1000 watt microwave. Ingredients to make simple Microwave Peanut Brittle: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)
- Peanuts – Dry Roasted Peanuts.
- Sugar – Granulated sugar for sweetness.
- Syrup – Light corn syrup forms the liquid portion of the peanut brittle mixture.
- Seasonings – Sea salt to balance the sweetness.
- Butter – You can use salted or unsalted butter.
- Flavoring – Vanilla extract for creamy floral notes.
- Baking Soda – Activates and gives the texture and air bubbles to the peanut brittle.
How to Make the BEST Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe
If you have 10 minutes to spare, it’s a small price to pay to make your own homemade no-fail microwave peanut brittle at home.
- Prepare a Sheet Pan – Lightly grease a standard baking sheet, or cover with parchment paper. You could also use a silicone baking mat.
- Melt Sugar – In a large microwave-safe bowl stir together the sugar, corn syrup and salt. Microwave on high for 4 minutes or until the sugar mixture is bubbly and the sugar has dissolved. Stop and stir halfway through cooking.
- Add Peanuts – Add the peanuts. Stir until coated.
- Cook – Return to the microwave cooking for an additional 3 minutes stopping to stir halfway through cooking.
- Add Butter – After cooking the peanuts in the syrup add cubed butter. Stir well then return to the microwave, cooking for 1 minute.
- Add Vanilla – Remove from microwave. While stirring, add the vanilla and baking soda. The mixture will foam continue to stir until it does down slightly.
- Transfer to the Pan – Quickly pour onto the prepared pan or silicon mat and spread to approximately 1/4-inch thickness.
- Serve – Allow to cool completely then break into desired size pieces.
Tips for Making Microwave Peanut Brittle
- Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: Large microwave safe bowl, measuring cups and spoons wooden spatula or heat safe silicone spatula, oven mitts, sheet pan and a silpat.
- Use Light Corn Syrup: The light corn syrup used in this recipe refers to the color, not calories. Clear corn syrup, not dark corn syrup works best.
- Check the Wattage of Your Microwave: The times used in this recipe are based on a 1000 watt microwave and should be adjusted based on the wattage of your own microwave at home.
- No Candy Thermometer Needed: This recipe doesn’t use a candy thermometer like classic peanut brittle, which makes it super simple to make.
- Use a Large Microwave-Safe Bowl: All containers aren’t created equal. You should only use a microwave safe bowl for this recipe that can withstand the heat. Plastic isn’t a good choice, in particular for recipes like this one that involve heating, melting and cooking ingredients together. Always take a moment to check the bottom of the bowl you use to double check safe practices, and each manufacturer’s recommendation for use. I used a microwave safe glass bowl.
- Handle with Care: The peanut brittle mixture will be hot, so handle the bowl carefully between steps. Use oven mitts if necessary, to protect your hands as you work.
- When to Serve: Peanut brittle is a natural choice for Christmas treats, a special occasion dessert and homemade gifts. It’s also a terrific choice for game day snacks, sharing with friends and family and used as a stocking stuffer.
Recipe Variations
- Honey: There are peanut brittle recipes that call for honey however I recommend that you don’t adapt this recipe and use corn syrup for the best result. The amounts and cooking times were crafted using the ingredients called for in the recipe.
- Nuts: You could use almonds or cashews in place of peanuts.
- Sea Salt: You can use table salt in place of sea salt. When doing so decrease the amount to 1/4 teaspoon.
- Spice: You could add 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon for a hint of spice in the flavor.
- Can I Make a Double Batch? It’s better to make one batch at a time. So, if you need more servings consider making several batches, rather than combining the ingredients into one big batch.
Storage and Leftovers
- Leftovers: Store Microwave Peanut Brittle in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezer: You can package and freeze peanut brittle for up to 3 months. It does change the texture slightly.
More Easy Candy Recipes to Make
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- This spongy Honeycomb Candy melts in your mouth.
- Toffee Peanut Clusters are like a bite of heaven!
- Bourbon Pecan Pralines are an iconic Southern confection.
- This Sweet and Salty Crockpot Candy is a holiday must make.
- Fluffy Southern Divinity Candy.
- Sweet and Salty Potato Chip Clusters.
- Chocolate Drizzled Caramel Cashew Clusters.
- Homemade Caramels from Tastes Better from Scratch.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Microwave Peanut Brittle
Servings: 24 servings (may vary)
Calories: 122kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts
- 1 Tbsp butter cubed
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
Instructions
- Instructions for 1000 watt microwave: Lightly grease a standard rimmed baking sheet or cover with parchment paper. You can also use a silicone baking mat. (Use nonstick cooking spray)
- In a large microwave safe bowl stir together the sugar, corn syrup and salt. Microwave on high for 4 minutes until the mixture is bubbly and the sugar has dissolved. Stop and stir halfway through cooking. (At the 2 minute point.)
- After cooking for 4 minutes total, add the peanuts. Stir until fully coated.
- Return the bowl to the microwave and continue cooking for an additional 3 minutes stopping to stir halfway through cooking. (At 1 1/2 minutes.)
- At the end of cooking the peanuts in the syrup for 3 minutes, stop and add the cubed butter. Stir well, then return to the microwave, cooking for 1 minute longer.
- Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave. Add the vanilla and baking soda stirring constantly. The mixture will foam up, continue to stir until it dies down, slightly.
- Quickly pour the mixture onto the prepared pan and use an offset icing spatula sprayed with cooking spray, to spread to approximately 1/4-inch thickness.
- Allow the peanut brittle to cool completely, then break into desired size pieces.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. (Makes about 1 1/2 lbs)
Notes
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- Honey: There are stovetop peanut brittle recipes that call for honey in place of corn syrup. However, I recommend that you don’t adapt this microwave recipe and stick to corn syrup for the best result.
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- Nuts: You could use almonds or cashews in place of peanuts.
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- Sea Salt: You can use table salt in place of sea salt. When doing so decrease the amount to 1/4 teaspoon.
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- Spice: You could add 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon for a hint of spice in the flavor.
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- Can I Make a Double Batch? It’s better to make one batch at a time. So, if you need more servings consider making several batches rather than combining the ingredients into one batch.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 122kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 169mg | Potassium: 62mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!
Best recipe
Thanks so much!
This is really good, and easy! And I’m supposed to go weigh in tomorrow! My is still very warm, but I’m already snacking on it! Hope there’s enough left to break up!
Eas, great taste, and everyone loved itRita
Recipe says cook time 12 minutes.I see cook time on the recipe at 4+3+1 minutes.What am I missing
This peanut brittle is cooked for 8 minutes in a 1000 Watt microwave. It may need adjusting if the microwave used is more or less than that wattage. From the Recipe: In a large microwave safe bowl stir together the sugar, corn syrup and salt. Microwave on high for 4 minutes or until bubbly and the sugar dissolves. Stop and stir at 2 minutes, halfway through cooking.
After cooking for 4 minutes total, add the peanuts. Stir until coated.
Return to the microwave cooking for an additional 3 minutes stopping to stir halfway.
After cooking the peanuts in the syrup for 3 minutes, add cubed butter. Stir and return to the microwave, cooking for 1 minute.
Great peanut brittle recipe! I’ve made 2 batches so far, the 2nd batch I heated my cookie sheet, then buttered the parchment paper on the cookie. It gives you a little more time to spread the brittle.
I’m so happy you loved it, and a great tip, thanks!
Oh Melissa I am so devastated. I finally found 1000 W recipe that was going to hopefully working my new microwave and I like Sue didn’t understand The instructions at the beginning for cooking at four minutes and then four minutes longer. I didn’t read it like that at all even when you restated it it didn’t sound like that to me so I have totally lost another pan and wasted all my ingredients again. So you cook it 4 minutes without stirring, then 2 minutes and stir and 2 minutes more befor storing and adding nuts? Please respond so I can try this one more time correctly.
Thank you!
Wanda
From the recipe: In a large microwave safe bowl stir together the sugar, corn syrup and salt. Microwave on high for 4 minutes or until bubbly and the sugar dissolves. Stop and stir at 2 minutes. (stir halfway thru after it’s been cooking for 2 minutes)
After cooking for 4 minutes total, add the peanuts. Stir until coated.
Return to the microwave cooking for an additional 3 minutes stopping to stir halfway.
After cooking the peanuts in the syrup for 3 minutes total add the cubed butter. Stir and return to the microwave. Cook for 1 minute.
So, you cook this in steps for 8 minutes total. Hope this helps.
Your recipe is so easy to follow!
Thank you!
Truly discovered how spoiled my hubby is (and if this is his only vice at our age, I’ll stay married till death do us part). While In the transition of moving to a larger farm, hubby began throwing a fit for peanut brittle, (which for some strange reason the local stores don’t seem to carry). Thinking back to the early years of our marriage, I decided to surprise him with some old-fashioned PB. Not wanting to “mar” my new cookware I turned to modern tech – the internet. Low and behold your recipe popped up. My hubby is once again a happy man. While it may seem insignificant to some, this recipe is “just what the doctor ordered” to motivate my spouse. It may even have rescued my marriage. I know I’ve spoiled my husband, but for the price of a few nuts in the microwave. I feel truly blessed – thanks for the recipe.
How wonderful, that you found my recipe and he liked it! I love your story, thanks so much for stopping by and sharing.
Delicious chewy too:). What did I do wrong… I followed instructions exactly.
It shouldn’t be chewy. Check the wattage on your microwave and make sure you cooked it long enough. If it’s undercooked, this could happen.
I don’t have sea salt. I’m going to use salted peanuts, will that take the place of the sea salt?
Replace it with table salt or omit, it’s your preference.
I recommend warming a buttered metal pizza pan in a 200 Degree Fahrenheit oven to put peanut brittle on as it spreads easier.
Mines been sitting up for about 2 hrs & is still a little soft. Will it harden up overnight?
It usually doesn’t take a long time to harden but, it may. I hope it was cooked long enough, a variation in microwave wattage could affect how it turns out.
Do NOT use plastic (Tupperware ware or rubber maid!!
Mine burned the bottom out. When I went to take the bowl out of the microwave it spilled over the floor and onto my leg. I got a pretty bad burn and a big mess. Never got to the last couple of steps. I made little nut brittle and a big mess.
Oh dear, yes, you should only use a microwave safe bowl for this recipe. Plastic isn’t a good choice, in particular for recipes like this one that involve melting and cooking ingredients together. Always take a moment to check the bottom of the container you use, regarding safe practices and each manufacturer’s recommendation for use.
I am a little confused it says total cook time 12 minutes I read te recipe and came up with
8 minutes cook time.what am I missing? I want to try this it looks delicious.
Please re-read the recipe. There are several steps each taking several minutes.
I too only count 8 cooking minutes.
Step one 4 min, then add peanuts 3 min then final 1 min.
That’s it, yes!
I haven’t tried this recipe yet, but will for sure. The husband loves peanut brittle. Just wanted to let you know the email button doesn’t work, at least for me.
Hi Carol, I hope you love this one! Thanks for the heads-up I have my IT looking into it to get it fixed.
My peanut brittle is not brittle, it is chewy like taffy. I have put it in the refrigerator, hoping it will harden up. Any other ideas?
The wattage of the microwave is the most important thing to note with this recipe. If your microwave is a different wattage, the cook time will need to be adjusted.
How? 1700 wattage
I haven’t tested this in a 1700 watt microwave, if that’s what you’re asking. If you try it, let us know how it goes.
I have a 1200w what would cook time be?
I haven’t tested a 1200 Watt microwave specifically so I can’t tell you with certainty. It would cook quicker, so you may need to do a trial batch and customize.
Update from my post. The fridge seems to be doing the job. It’s still in there but it is harder. Cant wait to taste it.
Great news, enjoy!
Can this recipe be doubled?
It’s best to make in 2 batches. All recipes don’t work well when doubled.
I am TOTALLY TRYING THIS for Christmas!!!! You had me at “microwave” (I’m totally shameless) Merry Christmas Melissa! N x
Merry Christmas to you and yours Nagi, thank you!
That is the only way nI make it. Step 7 after adding vanilla and soda I beat for a minute or two until light in color then spread out . Make sure to use pot holders, very hot. Also I use salted peanuts.
So glad I saw your comment!! I’m stuck here during this quarantine/social distancing and found this lovely recipe but salted is all I have on hand! Now I know that salted is for sure okay! 😉 Thanks for including that tidbit of info for sticklers like me! LOL
Stay safe and healthy!
I just want to clarify: cook for 2 mins, stir, cook 2 more mins, stir, cook for addititional 4 mins, (now at 8 mins) add peanuts stir, cook 1.5 mins, stir, cook 1.5 mins, add butter stir, cook 1 min.
From the recipe: In a large microwave safe bowl stir together the sugar, corn syrup and salt. Microwave on high for 4 minutes or until bubbly and the sugar dissolves. Stop and stir at 2 minutes.
After cooking for 4 minutes, add the peanuts. Stir until coated.
Return to the microwave cooking for an additional 3 minutes stopping to stir halfway.
After cooking the peanuts in the syrup for 3 minutes total add the cubed butter. Stir and return to the microwave. Cook for 1 minute.
I love it too, this version is super simple to make.
I didn’t think I liked peanut brittle until I ate someone’s homemade peanut brittle. Then I became a believer. Making it in the microwave—-boy howdy that is great.