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This microwave peanut brittle recipe is a fun twist on regular nut brittle, made in the microwave instead of on the stovetop! It uses simple ingredients to create a holiday sweet treat that everyone will be excited to receive. Plus, it’s versatile and can be customized to your liking by mixing in your favorite nuts.
Quick Look: Microwave Peanut Brittle
- 🥜 What it is: Crunchy, golden peanut brittle made in the microwave instead of on the stovetop.
- ⭐ Why it works: Corn syrup keeps the sugar from crystallizing, and baking soda foams it up for an airy, crisp snap.
- 💛 Why you’ll love it: A quick homemade holiday gift made with simple pantry ingredients and no candy thermometer.
- ⚠️ What to watch for: Things move fast once the baking soda goes in, so have your lined pan and spatula ready.
- 🍳 Pan notes: Spread it thin on a parchment- or silicone-lined baking sheet.
- ❄️ Make ahead: Keeps 3 weeks in an airtight container at room temperature, or 3 months frozen.
Table of Contents
This Is the Best Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe
I personally love no-bake desserts, especially when it’s as simple as this easy microwave peanut brittle! It is made with a few basic ingredients that everyone should have on hand around the holidays, and it comes together in no time. Making it the perfect option if you want to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying yourself with your family! If peanuts are your thing, my Crumbl peanut butter blossom cookies and peanut butter and jelly cookie sandwiches are up next.
Plus, this sweet treat is a great homemade holiday gift; just bag it up nicely in a holiday-themed bag, add a cute tag, and tie it with a ribbon to really impress whoever you are gifting it to. It fits right in with my other no-bake Christmas treats and my microwave peanut butter fudge. For another quick microwave shortcut, try my microwave lemon curd.
Key Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this brittle candy. Scroll down to the recipe card for full ingredient measurements.
- Corn syrup: Light corn syrup prevents crystallization, ensuring your brittle stays smooth and crunchy
- Granulated sugar: White sugar caramelizes to give the brittle its classic hard texture and rich color. It also adds a caramel-like flavor you will absolutely adore!
- Butter: Butter adds creaminess and richness to balance the sweetness.
- Peanuts: Peanuts provide the perfect crunch and nutty flavor that defines this brittle. Have extra roasted peanuts? Fold them into these sweet and salty peanut cookies with candy corn.
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract adds a warm, aromatic note that enhances the peanut flavor
- Salt: A pinch of salt amplifies the sweetness and depth of the brittle’s flavor
- Baking soda: Baking soda creates tiny bubbles, giving the brittle its airy, crunchy texture. We use a small amount here, but it gives you that perfectly crisp texture, don’t worry!
How to Make Microwave Peanut Brittle
- Mix the sugar base. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and have your spatula ready, because things move fast. Stir the sugar, corn syrup, and salt together in a large microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave until bubbly. Microwave until the mixture bubbles and starts turning a light golden color.
- Stir in the peanuts. Stir in the butter, peanuts, and vanilla until the butter melts in.
- Microwave again. Return the bowl to the microwave until the mixture turns a deep golden brown.
- Add the baking soda. Quickly stir in the baking soda. It will foam and lighten in color, giving the brittle its airy crunch.
- Spread and set. Pour onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it thin right away. Let it set completely, then break into pieces.
Expert Tips
- Prep your pan first. Line the baking sheet and have your spatula ready before you start. Once the baking soda goes in, you only have seconds to spread it.
- Use a large glass bowl. The mixture bubbles and foams up a lot, especially after the baking soda, so give it plenty of room.
- Cook by color. Every microwave is different. Look for light golden after the first round and deep golden brown after the second, and watch closely so it doesn’t burn.
- Use hot pads. The bowl gets extremely hot, and hot sugar can burn you badly, so handle it carefully every time it comes out of the microwave.
- Spread it thin. A thin layer gives you that classic snap. Thick brittle is harder to bite and break.
- Soak the bowl right away. Hot, soapy water dissolves the cooked sugar so the bowl scrubs clean in no time!!
Why This Recipe Works
- This is a great recipe for Christmas time when you’re short on time, just like my soft microwave caramels.
- You can make this recipe with whatever nuts you like, not just peanuts! Get creative :)! And if you want chocolate with your peanuts, try my crockpot peanut candy.
- It is also a great homemade gift, and an even better last-minute gift because it’s so quick! Pair it in a tin with my Ritz cracker Christmas crack.
Microwave Peanut Brittle FAQs
Store microwave peanut brittle in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. Keep it truly airtight, since humidity turns brittle soft and sticky. To freeze, seal it in an airtight container to protect it from moisture and freeze for up to 3 months, which makes it easy to get a head start on holiday gifts.
Yes! Microwave peanut brittle is designed to reach the right stage by following the cooking times and visual cues: light golden after the first round, then deep golden brown after the second.
Chewy microwave peanut brittle usually means it was pulled before it reached a deep golden brown, or it absorbed moisture after it set. Cook it until it’s deep golden in the second round, and store it in a truly airtight container.
I don’t recommend doubling microwave peanut brittle, since a bigger batch cooks unevenly in the microwave. Make separate batches instead so every one turns out perfectly.
Absolutely! I love spreading microwave peanut brittle on a silicone mat instead of parchment because it means less waste and easier cleanup. Win-win!
More Easy Christmas Candy Recipes
If you made this microwave peanut brittle, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a ⭐ star rating and a comment below, and tell me which nuts you used. Happy candy making!!
Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup peanuts dry roasted, salted or unsalted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside. Have a spatula ready to spread the brittle once it’s cooked.
- In a large, microwave-safe glass bowl, combine the sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Stir until the mixture is evenly combined.1 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup light corn syrup, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Microwave the mixture on high for 4 minutes. The mixture will start to bubble and turn a light golden color.
- Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave (it will be very hot). Stir in the butter, peanuts, and vanilla extract until the butter is fully melted and incorporated.1 cup peanuts, 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Return the bowl to the microwave and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the mixture turns a deep golden brown. Watch it closely to avoid burning.
- Quickly stir in the baking soda. The mixture will foam and bubble up, which is normal. Stir until the baking soda is fully mixed in.1 teaspoon baking soda
- Immediately pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Use a spatula to spread it out into a thin layer as quickly as possible.
- Let the brittle cool completely, about 30 minutes. Once it’s hardened, break it into pieces.
- Store the peanut brittle in an airtight container at room temperature. It will keep for up to 3 weeks.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The biggest thing with this recipe is having everything ready before you start the second microwave step. Once the baking soda goes in, the mixture foams up and sets quickly, so I have the parchment-lined baking sheet and spatula right next to me and spread it immediately.