This is the Best Microwave Peanut Brittle! I share all my pro tips with you. This easy peanut brittle recipe is ready in 15 minutes from start to finish! No candy thermometer needed! Enjoy the taste of caramelized sugar and nutty richness of peanuts faster in this homemade peanut brittle made with a shortcut!
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Making peanut brittle in the microwave is so quick and easy! My step by step photos and instructions are easy to follow and results in delicious airy peanut brittle every time.
This easy recipe for microwave peanut brittle can be packaged up and makes a great food gift for the holidays or any day! It freezes well, so enjoy some today and share some with a friend later.
If you love homemade peanut brittle, you may also like my Microwave Pistachio Cranberry Brittle and Microwave Pecan Brittle recipes.
Shortcuts
- The biggest shortcut is making peanut brittle in the microwave.
- You don't need to use a candy thermometer!
- Cocktail peanuts are already roasted so you save a few minutes on the cooking time. Plus, I always have a can of roasted nuts on hand at all times.
To make microwave peanut brittle with raw peanuts, see the NOTES section in the printable recipe at the bottom of the post.
For years, I sold my gourmet peanut brittle during the holidays as part of my catering business, The Occasional Gourmet. Now, I'm sharing the recipe with you!
Ingredients
What you will need to make this crunchy peanut brittle:
Scroll down to printable recipe for exact ingredient quantities.
- Granulated sugar
- Light corn syrup
- Peanuts - lightly salted cocktail peanuts. See note below if using raw peanuts.
- Butter- I like salted butter but unsalted will also work.
- Vanilla extract
- Baking soda- NOT baking powder. Look closely at the label.
How to make peanut brittle in the microwave
Scroll down to the bottom for the printable recipe with detailed instructions.
Pro Tip: My microwave wattage is 1100. If you have the same wattage, you will get the same results with these exact times. If your wattage is higher or lower, adjust the times and watch closely for the amber color in the candy mixture before adding the nuts.
- Stir together sugar and light corn syrup in a large microwave-safe glass bowl. It will look like a sugar scrub paste.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap. This step replaces step in traditional method of washing down the sugar crystals.
- Microwave (1100 watts) the sugar mixture in the bowl on HIGH for 3 minutes to wash down any crystals from sides of the bowl.
Pro Tip: I recommend using a large microwave-safe glass bowl, I use a Pyrex I've had for 20 years. You can also use a microwave safe 8 cup glass measuring cup but I recommend the larger bowl because it bubbles up.
Why cover with plastic wrap?
Covering with plastic wrap can be optional but I've found it to be helpful to reduce crystalization and produce smooth textured brittle. Don't have it? No worries.
- While the sugar and corn syrup mixture is cooking in the microwave, take this time to measure your peanuts, butter, vanilla and baking soda.
I wait to add the vanilla at the end, otherwise, it mostly evaporates while cooking.
- Remove the bowl from microwave with pot holders or oven mitts. It's hot! Place the bowl on a folded towel or cutting board or stovetop grate.
- Carefully release one edge of plastic wrap (away from your face) from the bowl to release the steam.
Pro Tip: When removing the plastic wrap from the bowl, always pull away from you to allow the steam to escape safely away from you face.
Most critical step
- Microwave, uncovered, for 4 minutes (1100 watts) or until the candy mixture begins to turn a golden color, mostly on the bottom and in center of the mixture. It will continue to turn to get darker even outside of the microwave so pull it out at the golden color.
For a microwave with 1650 watts, it may only take 3 minutes and 30 seconds to get to the golden color.
- Carefully, remove the bowl from microwave and place on a cutting board or folded towel. It's hot! Quickly stir in the nuts and butter until butter melts. It will be sticky
- Microwave another 1 minute or until the mixture is almost all bubbly on top.
- WATCH CAREFULLY through the microwave window.
Have baking soda and vanilla ready.
- Carefully, remove the bowl from microwave with potholders. Sprinkle baking soda and vanilla over hot mixture.
- Quickly stir in baking soda and vanilla. It will bubble up.
- Immediately pour hot candy mixture onto the buttered baking sheet, then spreading it out with two forks or a spoon.
- Let cool completely before breaking into pieces. Store in an airtight container.
My pro tips and step by step pics are just two reasons this is the BEST microwave peanut brittle recipe. The flavor and texture are two more reasons!
How to make peanut brittle thin?
I've discovered that if you pour the hot candy mixture onto a warm cookie sheet or sheet pan, it tends to spread out easier than on a cold pan! While the peanut brittle is cooking those last few minutes, place your pan in a hot oven. Another option is to place the pan on a stovetop burner on LOW heat for a minute.
Substitutions & Variations
- Swap the peanuts for any other dried nut (see list of substitutions in the helpful information section below).
- Don't limit yourself to only using one nut, you can use a variety of mixed nuts.
- To make a spicy peanut brittle stir through some ground cinnamon, clove, chili or anise or flavored nuts.
- Make chocolate covered peanut brittle by dipping some or all of the pieces in melted chocolate or candy melts.
- Make a chocolate peanut brittle in microwave by stirring 2 tablespoons cocoa powder when you stir in the baking soda.
- Add dried fruit like cranberries or raisins.
This microwave peanut brittle recipe makes fantastic Christmas gifts, hostess gifts and teacher gifts.
Tips for making microwave peanut brittle
Yes! Try these great substitutes:
- Pecans
- Pistachios
- Microwave Pistachio Cranberry Brittle
- Cashews
- Mixed nuts
- Almonds
- Walnuts
- Hazelnuts (shells removed)
Each batch of peanut brittle takes only 15 minutes to make in a 1100 watt microwave, not counting cooling time.
Be sure to cook microwave peanut brittle until it reaches the amber color in the bottom of the bowl. This indicates the hard crack stage which makes it "brittle". If the candy mixture doesn't reach this temperature or color, it can result in sticky brittle.
Yes you can. Be sure to not overcook the sugar syrup, it should be golden and not dark brown otherwise it will taste burned and bitter. Once it starts turning golden, then it turns amber colored quickly.
When making homemade candy like peanut brittle, cleaning the bowl seems impossible, at first, but there's a simple solution. The hardened candy actually melts right off when you soak it in warm water 15-20 minutes because it's just sugar!
How to store Peanut Brittle
- To Store. Store any leftovers in an air tight container, in a cool dry place. Do not place in the refrigerator as it will add too much moisture and make the brittle sticky.
- To Freeze. Peanut brittle can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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If you make this recipe I'd love to see it! Tag me on social media with #gritsandgouda or @gritsandgouda. Leave a comment below the printable recipe if you have questions or tell me how you liked the recipe. Don't forget to rate it 5 stars if you love it!
Best Microwave Peanut Brittle
Equipment
- 3 quart microwave safe bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup cocktail or roasted Spanish peanuts (see notes for using raw peanuts)
- 1 tablespoon salted or unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda (not baking powder)
Instructions
- Lightly butter a baking sheet and place on a cutting board, folded towel or cooling rack. Have two forks or a spoon ready to spread the hot mixture.
- Stir together sugar and light corn syrup in a large microwave-safe glass bowl. It will look like a sugar scrub paste. I use a Pyrex bowl I’ve had for 20+ years. Cover tightly with plastic wrap. This step replaces step in traditional method of washing down the sugar crystals.
- Covering with plastic wrap can be optional but I've found it to be helpful to reduce crystalization and produce smooth textured brittle.
- Microwave (1100 watts) the sugar mixture in the bowl on HIGH for 3 minutes to wash down any crystals from sides of the bowl.
- While the sugar and corn syrup mixture is cooking in the microwave, take this time to measure your peanuts, butter, vanilla and baking soda.
- Removethe bowl from microwave with pot holders or oven mitts. It's hot! Place the bowl on a folded towel or cutting board or stovetop grate. Then, uncover bowl, removing plastic wrap away from you to avoid steam.
- Most critical step: Microwave, uncovered, 4 minutes or until the mixture begins to turn golden on the bottom. If it's amber color at this point, it's gone too long.
- This can happen fast! Once it starts to turn golden, it will continue turning darker, even as you are removing it from the microwave. Remember, it's HOT!
- Carefully remove the bowl with pot holders and stir in the cocktail peanuts and butter until the butter melts. It will be sticky.
- Microwave another 1 minute or until the mixture is almost all bubbly on top.WATCH CAREFULLY through the microwave window.
- Have baking soda and vanilla already measured out.
- Carefully, remove the bowl from microwave with potholders. Quickly stir in baking soda and vanilla. It will bubble up.Immediately pour hot candy mixture onto the buttered baking sheet, then spreading it out with two forks or a spoon. Let cool completely and break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.
- Yield: 15 ounces peanut brittle
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition analysis on GritsAndGouda.com recipes are mostly calculated on an online nutrition calculator. I am not a dietitian and nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on products used.
Updated September 29, 2023 with helpful information on timing and wattage.
Jody P
Lots of fun…Easy to follow recipe. How to clean the bowl?lol Definitely need to make two batches.
gritsandgouda
Cleaning the bowl seems impossible but the hardened candy actually melts right off when you soak it in hot water 15 to 20 minutes because it's just sugar. I also tilt the bowl in the sink slightly by putting a spoon on one side of it so the water reaches almost to the edge of the side of the bowl where you poured out the candy. I invested in a second bowl because I make so many batches. So glad you loved it!
Donna ward
You don’t give the amount of ingredients to make this peanut brittle please give them I want to try this
gritsandgouda
Absolutely! Check under the recipes tab and search for candy or you can just scroll down on the homepage of the blog and the story is there and then you click at the bottom of the story for the recipe. If you have any trouble at all just email me or message me and I'll send you the recipe directly.