Peanut brittle is a candy shop classic but thanks to this easy recipe for Microwave Peanut Brittle, you can make this nutty and sweet confection at home! This quick and easy recipe takes less than 10 minutes to prepare. Great for a quick and easy snack or fun dessert. The peanut brittle comes out crispy, crunchy, sweet, and salty!
What You Will Love About This Recipe
- Microwave peanut brittle is great for bringing to a potluck or party!
- This recipe is made with mostly pantry staple ingredients.
- Thanks to the amazing microwave this brittle comes together in a flash.
- Only 10 minutes of preparation time.
- Peanut brittle is delicious on its own. It can also be used in ice cream, popcorn, snack mix, and more!
- This Oreo Mug Cake is even quicker and easier!
- Traditional candy making is a hot and sometimes dangerous job, but this awesome microwave recipe makes it easy!
- The beautiful brittle makes a great holiday or special occasion gift!
- Pack it into a Christmas box or present.
- Check out this Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge for another favorite recipe!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Scroll down to the recipe card below for the full microwave peanut brittle recipe.
Granulated sugar has a pure sweet flavor that is just right to build the caramelly flavor in this nutty brittle.
Light corn syrup is a liquid sweetener that makes crafting the perfect candied texture for this brittle.
Unsalted peanuts are the perfect choice to bring peanut flavor without too much extra sodium.
Unsalted butter brings the creamy finish that you want to the caramel flavor of this brittle. If you cannot find unsalted you can substitute it with salted butter but the flavor will be more savory than the basic recipe.
To give this recipe an authentic and smooth vanilla flavor, use natural pure vanilla extract. It adds such a cozy flavor.
Baking soda causes the toffee-like mixture to become airy and light so it is both delicious and easy to crack.
Taste & Texture
Microwave peanut brittle is the perfect celebration of caramelly sweetness and toasty nut flavor.
Every bite is like a little toffee peanut surprise and the candied crunch in this easy peanut brittle cannot be beaten!
It is crisp, sticky, and loaded with nutty chew.
How To Make
Step 1
First, line a rimmed baking pan with parchment paper.
Step 2
In a microwave-safe bowl, stir together the granulated sugar and corn syrup until well combined.
Step 3
Place the bowl in the microwave on high for 3 minutes.
Step 4
Use oven mitts to carefully remove the bowl from the microwave. Then, add the unsalted peanuts and stir to coat the nuts evenly with candy.
Step 5
Return the bowl to the microwave and heat on high for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, or until the mixture is a lovely golden color. Be careful not to overheat.
Step 6
Using the oven mitts, carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and quickly but carefully stir in the butter and vanilla extract.
Step 7
Return the bowl once more to the microwave and heat on high for another 1 to 2 minutes or until the mixture reaches a deep caramel color.
Step 8
Using oven mitts, remove the bowl from the microwave and carefully but quickly stir in the baking soda. The mixture will become foamy and increase in volume.
Step 9
Immediately pour the hot brittle mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Use a greased rubber spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the brittle into an even layer.
Step 10
Allow the peanut brittle to cool completely at room temperature until it hardens and becomes brittle and easy to snap.
Step 11
Once fully cooled, break the microwave peanut brittle into smaller pieces and enjoy!
Expert Tips
Be very careful with the hot brittle mixture. Melted sugar is extremely hot, so if you have little ones helping you ask for their assistance with the measuring and cracking but leave the heating to a grown-up!
It can take a little while for the brittle to harden. If you try to crack it too soon, it will be too sticky to handle so try to be patient! You can also place the tray on a cooling rack so air circulates around it and helps it to cool quickly.
Do not sweat it if the pieces of brittle are not breaking into one uniform size. Half the fun of brittle is getting a wide range of pieces.
How to Serve & Store
Microwave peanut brittle is delicious in any scenario. From snacks to dessert, this sweet has your cravings covered! Enjoy the brittle at room temperature.
Everyone knows this sweet confection, but it can be a lot more than you expect! Try snapping the peanut brittle as small as possible and then mix it into buttered popcorn for a sweet and salty cinema sack!
If you are craving something more rich, try puppy chow! It is a delightful marriage of chocolate and peanut butter already but you can kick it up a notch by breaking some brittle into the mixture!
You can even add a nutty and sweet garnish to your favorite finished brownies by sticking a triangle of peanut brittle into each tasty piece.
Storing this treat properly allows you to enjoy microwave peanut brittle even longer! To store this brittle, let it set and then transfer it to an airtight container or bag. Store the microwave peanut brittle on the counter in a shady spot for up to 2 months.
Equipment Needed
Baking Sheet: This simple recipe does not require a lot of fancy equipment, but you will need a baking sheet for the brittle to cool on. Be sure to line it with parchment paper or a silicone mat so that the brittle does not stick.
Microwave-Safe Bowl: Be sure to have a microwave-safe bowl ready and a rubber spatula for stirring.
You May Also Like
- Microwave Cookies
- Peanut Butter Mug Cake
- How to Microwave Pop Tarts
- Microwave Caramel Sauce
- How to Microwave Instant Oatmeal
Microwave Peanut Brittle
This homemade microwave peanut brittle is crunchy, sweet, and salty! This recipe is so quick and easy to make. It requires only a few ingredients and less than 10 minutes. Great for a quick and easy sweet treat dessert!
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup unsalted peanuts
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
Instructions
- First, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set it aside for later.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the granulated sugar and corn syrup. Stir well to ensure they are thoroughly mixed.
- Microwave the sugar and corn syrup mixture on high for 3 minutes.
- Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave using oven mitts, as it will be very hot.
- Add the unsalted peanuts to the hot mixture and stir until the peanuts are evenly coated.
- Microwave the mixture on high for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, until it turns a light golden brown color. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
- Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and quickly stir in the unsalted butter and vanilla extract. Be cautious, as the mixture will be extremely hot.
- Return the bowl to the microwave and microwave on high for another 1 to 2 minutes, until the mixture becomes a rich caramel color.
- Remove the bowl from the microwave and quickly stir in the baking soda. The mixture will foam and increase in volume, so stir briskly to incorporate the baking soda.
- Immediately pour the hot mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Use a greased spatula or the back of a spoon to spread it out into a thin, even layer.
- Allow the peanut brittle to cool completely at room temperature until it hardens and becomes brittle.
- Once cooled and hardened, break the peanut brittle into smaller pieces.
- Store the peanut brittle in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
- All microwaves are different, so keep a close eye while microwaving.
- Use an oven mitt when handling the microwave-safe bowl. It becomes very hot!
- Allow the peanut brittle to fully cool and become set. Then, break into pieces.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
20Serving Size:
1 pieceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 111gTotal Fat: 4.2ggSaturated Fat: 0.9ggUnsaturated Fat: 2.1ggCholesterol: 1.5mgmgSodium: 68.8mgmgCarbohydrates: 18.1ggFiber: 0.6ggSugar: 16.9ggProtein: 1.8gg