Microwave Peanut Brittle

Microwave Peanut Brittle is a quick and easy method to make the beloved Christmas treat, featuring a delightful blend of crisp texture and a rich, nutty caramel flavor. Made using pantry staples and simple ingredients, you can create a batch in less than 20 minutes.

Traditional Christmas candy like peanut brittle, Peanut Clusters, Praline Bars, and Chocolate Rum Balls go great on a Dessert Charcuterie Board for the holidays.

Why This Recipe Works

• Quick: Microwave peanut brittle allows you to enjoy this classic treat in a fraction of the time it takes with traditional methods, making it a quick and efficient option.
• Easy: This method simplifies the brittle-making process, making it accessible for even the most novice cooks. It also uses pantry staples and simple ingredients.
• Festive Treat: Peanut brittle is a classic Christmas treat, and the microwave method allows you to whip up batches effortlessly for holiday gatherings, gifts, or simply to add a festive touch to your home.

Ingredients Needed

• Light Corn Syrup: for this recipe you will need light corn syrup which helps the candy to harden as it cools. It can be swapped for maple syrup if you would prefer to use that instead or would like a different flavor.
• Butter: I prefer to use unsalted butter and then add salt to the recipe, however, you can also use salted butter and omit the salt from the ingredients.
• Peanuts: I like to use dry roasted peanuts in peanut brittle, but you can use your favorite version of peanuts.

How to Make Microwave Peanut Brittle

1. Prep. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or spray it with cooking spray and set it aside.
2. Heat the syrup. In a very large microwave-safe mixing bowl mix the sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt using a wooden spoon coated in cooking spray. Place the bowl in the microwave for 5 minutes where it will bubble as it cooks (an extra large bowl will keep the mixture from bubbling over the edge).
3. Add in the peanuts and butter. Stir the mixture. Add the butter and peanuts and return the bowl to the microwave for an additional 4 to 5 minutes. The mixture will begin to turn a deep caramel color. Quickly check the temperature using a candy thermometer to see if it has reached 300º to 305ºF (this is the ideal temp so your brittle doesn’t turn out chewy). If not at the desired temperature place the bowl back in the microwave for 30-second intervals until reached.

4. Add the baking soda. Remove the bowl from the microwave and carefully stir in the baking soda. Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.
5. Cool the candy. Allow the brittle to set and cool for 30 to 60 minutes before breaking it apart. A meat mallet helps to gently break it into pieces without turning it into crumbles.

How to Fix Chewy Peanut Brittle

1. Break it apart. Break the candy apart just as you would if it were sturdier and not chewy and place it into a large pot.
2. Melt the pieces. Set the pot over medium-low heat on the stove and use a wooden spoon coated in cooking spray to stir the pieces continuously (don’t stop stirring it otherwise it will burn).
3. Reheat the brittle. Once the pieces have melted and turned back into a liquid turn the heat up to medium, stirring occasionally. Place a candy thermometer on the side of the pot to check the temp of the mixture. Allow it to reach 305ºF before you pour it out onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Cool it. Let the candy cool again for 30 minutes before trying to break it apart again.

Freezing and Storage Information:

• To Freeze: You can freeze peanut brittle for up to 3 months by placing it in a freezer-safe bag, however, it will alter the texture slightly.
• To Store: Store the brittle in an air-tight container on the counter for 1 1/2 to 2 weeks. Don’t leave it uncovered as it will become sticky. If you plan on making this candy for a gift you can make it up to 3 days in advance of when you plan to give it away.

Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe

Microwave Peanut Brittle provides a speedy and effortless way to whip up the beloved Christmas treat, showcasing a delightful combination of a crispy texture and a decadent, nutty caramel flavor. Using everyday pantry staples and simple ingredients, you can effortlessly create a batch in less than 20 minutes.

4.50 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: English

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Resting Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 24 Servings

Calories: 150kcal

Author: Aimee Mars

Equipment

• ▢
  Extra Large Mixing Bowl
• ▢
  Wooden Spoon
• ▢
  Rimmed Baking Sheet
• ▢
  Parchment Paper
• ▢
  Candy Thermometer
• ▢
  Kitchen Mallet

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 cup Sugar
• ▢ 1/2 cup Light Corn Syrup
• ▢ 1/4 cup Water
• ▢ 1/8 teaspoon Salt
• ▢ 1/2 cup Butter cut into small cubes
• ▢ 1¾ cups Dry Roasted Peanuts
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Baking Soda

Instructions

• Prep. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or spray it with cooking spray and set it aside.
• Heat the syrup. In a very large microwave-safe mixing bowl mix the sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt using a wooden spoon coated in cooking spray. Place the bowl in the microwave for 5 minutes where it will bubble as it cooks (an extra large bowl will keep the mixture from bubbling over the edge).
• Add in the peanuts and butter. Stir the mixture. Add the butter and peanuts and return the bowl to the microwave for an additional 4 to 5 minutes. The mixture will begin to turn a deep caramel color. Quickly check the temperature using a candy thermometer to see if it has reached 300º to 305ºF (this is the ideal temp so your brittle doesn't turn out chewy). If not at the desired temperature place the bowl back in the microwave for 30-second intervals until reached.
• Add the baking soda. Remove the bowl from the microwave and carefully stir in the baking soda. Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Cool the candy. Allow the brittle to set and cool for 30 to 60 minutes before breaking it apart. A meat mallet helps to gently break it into pieces without turning it into crumbles.

Notes

Freezing and Storage Information:

• To Freeze: You can freeze peanut brittle for up to 3 months by placing it in a freezer-safe bag, however, it will alter the texture slightly.
• Store the brittle in an air-tight container on the counter for 1 1/2 to 2 weeks. Don’t leave it uncovered as it will become sticky. If you plan on making this candy for a gift you can make it up to 3 days in advance of when you plan to give it away.

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 150kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 170mg | Potassium: 73mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 118IU | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg

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This post was originally published in December 2019, updated in Decembver 2021, and again in December 2023.