EASY MICROWAVE PEANUT BRITTLE – VIDEO
This is the easiest peanut brittle recipe because it’s made in the microwave! It’s made with simple ingredients and comes together quickly. You’ll want to add this recipe to our holiday baking pronto!
❤️ WHY WE LOVE IT
We love this recipe because it really simplifies the process of making peanut brittle. It takes most of the guesswork out of it, and….it’s delicious! Mom first found this recipe in her Sharp Carousel Cooking Book years ago. We have changed it a tad, and it always comes out great. We love adding it to gift bags for Christmas, and it also makes a wonderful hostess gift for holiday parties.
SWAPS
You could easily swap out the peanuts for cashews or pecans. Many have asked about swapping corn syrup for another ingredient, but unfortunately, I’ve not found one that works well.
This is fantastic!
Peanut brittle is my favorite candy in the world. Never made it before but have been wanting too. Read a bunch of recipes, bought the stuff and a candy thermometer but the preciseness of timing scared me off, until today. Microwave peanut brittle, who new?! I read a lot of the hints on here. Lined my pan with parchment, heated the pan, but when I dumped the brittle onto the pan I threw another piece of parchment on top and rolled it with a rolling pin. It came out the perfect consistency and thickness. So easy I made a second batch and my husband can’t keep his hands off it. Probably have to make more by Monday. It will probably be a regular thing now here.
⭐TIP
- Remember to use a glass dish to prepare the brittle in. This mixture will become very hot, so be extra careful when handling it. Let the bowl cool before washing.
- All microwaves vary in their wattage. So watching it is crucial. Remember that the peanut brittle mixture should be LIGHT BROWN.
RECIPE VARIATIONS
Different nuts work great with this recipe. Try pecans, almonds, or cashews. You can drop chocolate chips on top immediately after spreading it on a baking sheet. Add a couple of sprinkles of sea salt for a deep, salty flavor.
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Microwave Peanut Brittle
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- Dash of salt
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups shelled raw peanuts Could use regular peanuts or pecans, too
- 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Spray a baking sheet generously. Combine sugar, corn syrup and salt in a 3 quart microwave GLASS bowl. Stir in peanuts and microwave on high until light brown. (About 9 to 10 minutes.) Microwaves vary so you will have to watch the timing.
- Stir twice while cooking.(This gets very hot, so be careful not to get burned.) Stir in remaining ingredients. Mixture should be light and foamy. Quickly spread as thin as possible on greased baking sheet. Let cool and break into pieces. Makes about 1 pound of peanut brittle
Notes
- Remember to use a glass dish to prepare the brittle in. This mixture will become very hot, so be extra careful when handling it.
- All microwaves vary in their wattage. So watching it is crucial. Remember that the peanut brittle mixture should be LIGHT BROWN. Watch video for more instruction.
© The Southern Lady Cooks photos and text – All rights reserved. No copying, posting on other sites, or other uses allowed without written permission of the copyright holder.
So far i have made a few of your recipes and have enjoyed. I was sadden that anyone would send negative comments to you. To share all your wonderful recipes is a joy and I’m sure a full time job selecting and sending. Thank You so much for sharing. Lynn
You’re very welcome Lynn! We are so thrilled you are here and enjoying the recipes. It’s really astonishing the amount of negative/hateful comments we receive at times and I just try to remember all the good people, like YOU, who make the hard work worth it.
I made the peanut brittle with Spanish peanuts for Christmas (did not add salt)it was a hit! Plus it was fun and easy to make. Will definitely be making this again!! Thanks!
YAY! Thank you so much for letting us know this was a hit! Glad you made it.
Do you use raw & skinless peanut♀️
I just use raw shelled peanuts.
Ladies…my Dad is so happy! He loves brittle and after seeing your video, I gave it a try…it came out perfect! I just microwaved for about 4 minutes at a time and stirred it until it was the right consistency!! So glad I found this recipe! Keep the recipes coming!
This makes me so happy to hear! You did the right thing, cooking it for a bit and then stirring until you got it right. It’s hard to say what each microwave should be but this works if you just try! Thank you so much for sharing your success! Merry Christmas!
Made this recipe yesterday and it came out perfect! Cant believe how easy this is, making this for gifts this year!
YAY! So glad you gave it a try! We find it simple too! Merry Christmas!
Can you cook on stovetop instead?
I’m sure there is a recipe somewhere for how to do that.. but we have never tried to duplicate this recipe on the stove top.
Where is the video referenced in the recipe?
It’s in the recipe card right next to the recipe. You had to scroll past it to comment. 🙂
I’ve tried a lot of different recipes for brittle, but this is the only one I’ve found that is simple, easy, and turns out perfect every time. I made it for my daughter to take to her work’s Christmas party, and she said it was a hit. Apparently one of the other managers hid it so no one else would eat it lol. Now it’s a “must make” every year. I’m just a little behind on reviewing this. Sorry!
YAY!!! I am so glad you love this recipe! So many people won’t even try it and they are really missing out. It’s fantastic! Thank you for letting us know.
I’ve been using this recipe for years. It’s a favorite and I get multiple requests to make it every year!
Will definitely have to try. My first attempt at making reg. peanut brittle my 1st year of marriage ended up in a disaster. Broken peanut brittle all over the kitchen & a visit to the Emergency Room for stitches, ran knife into hand. 52 years later, will try again.
Oh no.. we sure hope this is a much better experience!
I have made this brittle for years..I have changed it up sometimes using a cocktail nut mix and/or I add a pinch of cayenne or Chipotle powder
Forget the stove and candy thermometer! This is the only way to make easy and consistent peanut brittle. I have been using your recipe for years and perfected the time for my 1100 watt microwave to 7 1/2 minutes (stirring twice). I pour it out on buttered parchment paper. The easiest container to use is my 8 cup Pyrex measuring bowl. It has a handle so no chance of trying to juggle a hot bowl and it withstands the extreme heat. The best!
That’s wonderful! We’re thrilled it’s a hit for you. Thank you for the kind comment!
Very good simple recipe. Similar to 1 I have used over the years but yours is less work. I might have gone 30 seconds longer on the last cooking but my husband loves it. Besides I’m entering it as 1 of my candy making for the 2023 fair this week. Thanks for sharing Susan
Oh my was this easy and delicious! I’m making this as a gift for Christmas! Thank you ladies!! It turned out perfect!
Yay!!! So glad to hear this!
What can I use as an alternative to corn syrup and must I adjust the recipe accordingly?
I dont know what you could use as an alternative to the corn syrup, it’s one of the most important ingredients. I would think it wouldnt work by switching that up.
I was wondering what is the best size of a baking sheet to use for this.
Thanks Penny
Just a standard baking sheet will work fine.
Best recipe ever!! Making some for my family gift bags!! Thank you!
Great also if you add some Old Bay seasoning it’s delicious
This is fantastic! Peanut brittle is my favorite candy in the world. Never made it before but have been wanting too. Read a bunch of recipes, bought the stuff and a candy thermometer but the preciseness of timing scared me off, until today. Microwave peanut brittle, who new?! I read a lot of the hints on here. Lined my pan with parchment, heated the pan, but when I dumped the brittle onto the pan I threw another piece of parchment on top and rolled it with a rolling pin. It came out the perfect consistency and thickness. So easy I made a second batch and my husband can’t keep his hands off it. Probably have to make more by Monday. It will probably be a regular thing now here.
never made peanut brittle, just broke my first piece of pecan brittle. SO GOOD!!
Thanks for sharing your information!
That is the only way I make peanut brittle is in the microwave. My recipe is a little different than yours and also mine is out of my first GE microwave cookbook, which is the year 1977
Thank you so so MUCH for this ❤️ recipe!! I had a awful marriage that I had to leave without talking any belongings and this recipe was a favorite of mine! I lost it in the process of everything and originally had it since my oldest was born. My Sharp Carousel microwave was from the early 80’s and was the only microwave back then with a carousel when it first came out! So, the recipe is about 35 years old! The only part of the microwave cookbook that I got was the first half without a microwave peanut brittle recipe! I always wanted that recipe and didn’t know how to find it again! This is the most awesome peanut brittle recipe on the planet! So, once again thank you for posting this because I have been looking for it for years! Thanks to you I’ve found it again!
Oh my gosh! How wonderful that you found this recipe! I am so glad you stumbled upon our website and can now enjoy this recipe again. I agree it’s definitely one of the best peanut brittle recipes. I loved my Sharp Carousel microwave! Thank you for the comment. Enjoy!
No, thank YOU, so very much! I can now make it again at Christmas time for friends and family. They were in love with this peanut brittle when I had the recipe!
what is light corn syrup. the stuff I bought is a dark colour like brown sugar shade can I still use it?
Hi Nadine, Light and dark corn syrup can be interchanged. Dark corn syrup tastes a little more like molasses but I see no reason why you couldn’t use it in this recipe.
I live in Hawaii and I made a dozen batches for Christmas last year, everyone loved it
-This has been my go to recipe for peanut brittle for 35 years. Usually make 12 or more pounds every Christmas as gifts.
-I mix the syrup, sugar and peanuts and cook for 4 mins., stir and cook 4 mins more. Stir and then, add the butter and vanilla. cook for 2 mins. Remove and quickly add baking soda, stir and pour on pan lined with non-stick Reynolds Wrap foil. I do not use the salt.
-Do not try to cook in rainy weather. Good Luck!!
I’ve made this many, many times and I use 3 aluminum pie pans. You just pour it in, no buttering or spraying the pans. When it is cool, it just pops right out of the pie pans in perfect rounds. You can break it up and store the whole thing in a gallon zip-lok bag to give as a gift. My ingredients are the same as yours and I just had to play with the timing because I got a new element in my microwave and it got too hot too quickly the first time I made by my usual cooking times. And I use a pyrex bowl, can take the heat.
Try Reynolds Release Aluminum Foil. You can reuse the foil several times by removing crumbs with a paper towel.
I microwave mine 4 mins, stir, cook 4 mins; add vanilla and butter, stir. Cook 2 mins and then stir in baking soda. I also omit the salt. Have been making microwave peanut brittle over 30 years!
When my sister-in-law makes her peanut brittle she first spreads the raw peanuts evenly out on a cookie sheet lined with foil that is sprayed with Pam first then pours hot mixture over top of peanuts and it comes out great that way. Then you could gently use a spatula to spread it more if you wished but this works fine for her and she’s been making this way for years!! You might want to try that if you’re having trouble spreading it.
I know this is a stupid thing to even say, but for anyone that has not done this do not put bowl in water to wash till it has cooled down
I put my saucepan in really hot water to prepare for another batch asap. Usually make 12 lbs to give as gifts.
That’s not a stupid thing to say at all. I have been cooking for over 50 years and I love reminders! Thanks for the tip!
Yes! I made that mistake years ago and I am still traumatized by that. Glass pan just exploded! It’s been 40 years or more and I still will not cook with a glass pan or pot. Very good advice, thank you!!
My niece and I have used the recipe for years and really love it. The trick is to microwave it for 3 min. stir, 3 min. stir and 3 mins. again, then add the rest of your ingredients. Turns out perfect every time.
Just made it, waiting to cool, notice little thick, will spread thiner nect time, thsnks
Thanks for the recipe. Every year I have been making brittle on stove………NO MORE!!!!!
My dad is diabetic but LOVES peanut brittle – can you substitute splenda or truvia or at least part sugar and then the rest a sugar free ingredient?
I have never tried it that way, Tina.
Can normal syrup be substituted for corn syrup. Not sure we can get corn syrup in SA.
I have never tried doing that. I think there is a way to make your own corn syrup. Try “googling” how to make corn syrup.
When you use the salted peanuts, do you still put the dash of salt in the brittle? Can someone help me .
You can leave it out if you want to Mary.
I make it with pistachios, tastes just great. I am a bachelor now,72, and I haven’t let my family know that I make it. Plus a lot of other deserts that I get from this site.
.
Could you use walnuts?
Can I cool it down in the fridge?
Success! My microwave only takes 5 mins to cook this! Sweet.
I had a recipe years ago for microwave brittle that came out perfect each time I made it. Lost that recipe. Since then, every brittle recipe I’ve tried ends up burnt. The cooking time is too long. Now I have a 1200W microwave. Do you suppose if I cut the cooking time in half that it would be enough to cook thoroughly?
You will need to just keep checking it and when it gets kind of light brown take it out. I would cut in half and check it after that to make sure it is not burning and do a couple more minutes.
Can you use Cashews or Pecans in place of raw shelled peanuts?
Yes.
I can’t wait to try this. Can I use dry roasted peanuts instead of raw ones?? 🙂
Yes, you can, Sandra.
I’ve used dry roasted and also honey roasted.
When it is cooler, stretch the brittle to make it thinner. Really makes a difference.
Does this work in a 700 watt or a 1000 watt microwave? Or, does it matter?
I have made this candy for 30 years in the microwave and never had a problem no matter what kind of microwave it was. Someone asked me on Facebook what the wattage was of the microwave I have now and I looked and it is 1000 watts. I don’t know or remember what wattage microwaves I’ve had in the past but always made it in the one I had at the time with no problem.
You can get a time table to cook candies in the microwave on the internet. The first I cooked it I burnt it and there is nothing that smells so bad. I make a lot of hard tack for Christmas.
when do you add the butter baking soda and vanilla.
As soon as you remove from the microwave after cooking for 9 or 10 minutes.
I made this today for the first time today but I don’t care for peanuts so i used pecans chopped in halves. It turned ot great. I cooked it for nine minutes and I think next time I will try 8 because it was a little hard to spred thin. Next time I will heat the pan like Lorelei sugested.
I learned a lesson this week about peanut brittle, you cant make it if it is not cold outside!!! It was too stickey and I could not get it off my pan , had to throw the whole thing away!! my friend had a good laugh like I was suppose to know that, here in Ga, we had warm weather earlier this week.. things we learn.. will try again b/c it looks easy. thanks
Use the greatest thing ever invented Anita, Reynolds Parchment Paper! Slide right off that stuff! I made the brittle two weeks ago in Dawsonville ,Ga! Only problem I had was cleaning the pot I cook it in. Solve that with filling it with hot water and Dawn liquid, let it sit then it washed right out! Delicious !
My mama always told me to not make candy or fondants on a rainy or cloudy day that the moisture in the air would keep them from doing as good. Was it cloudy or rainy when you made yours. I also like to use parchment paper.
Anita, it is not the temp, it is humidity,
Try cooking it less time. My microwave is 1,000 watts. Your may be different or something.
The microwave cooking time depends very much on the wattage of the microwave oven! My oven is rated at 1000 watts and the two cooking times for the two segments are 4:30 and 2:15.
I want to try this! And, thanks for the tupperware warning. I had a friend who was badly burned doing that.
I’ve tried twice to ‘double’ this recipe and both times wound up with a soft toffee like consistency….. All I can think is that maybe doubling the baking soda is to blame. Anyone else have success/failure with this?
You can’t double candy recipes!
I’ve doubled the recipe a few times… used to make this back when I was a teenager… first time I forgot to double the cook time & ended up with something like nought. From then on I doubled the cook time & it came out perfectly.
I have used this recipe numerous times as well, and has always turned out wonderfully. I also like to make a spicy peanut brittle, the recipe is the same up until the vanilla. Instead of 1tsp., you add 1/2 tsp. vanilla, 1/2tsp rum flavoring, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper. It is so good, the cayenne gives it a little kick, I have had more people want this spicy brittle than the regular.
We used this when making our Christmas baskets this year. I haven’t found a person that hasn’t liked it yet. At our apartment’s Christmas party this past week, people came up and asked how I made it. They were quite convinced I was some kind of genius. I’ve sent them here!
Thank you Crystal! Merry Christmas.
Peanut brittle in a micowave? That’s just pure genius! I’m going to have to give this a try. Plus I had no idea you used green peanuts.
Great brittle! I used walnuts, and next batch will cook for 8 minutes. Turned out ok but a little dark. I did not spray my 4 cup Pyrex bowl any ideas on cleaning it?
I just let it soak for a while with hot water and it was no problem to clean.
Thanks that did the trick! I did heat in the oven on 425 for 15 minutes then soak in water. Washed right out! Won’t make that mistake again!
Just let your Pyrex cool and use hot water, let it sit for awhile and it cleans up real easy.
I have made this for years. Recipe was on the back of bag of peanuts I bought that the band was selling. I make it now with broken pieces of pecans. My family prefers this instead of peanuts.
Does anyone know if this travels well through mail and if so how to pack it?…my kids love this!
I mail this often to my sisters. I usually put it in tins which I fill as full as possible. I have also put it in ziploc bags and packed with styrofoam packing.
We are trying to stay away from corn syrup. Is there anything else you can use instead of corn syrup???
Try HONEY – I’ve been staying away from corn syrup too.
I love this recipes so good mmm.
I make lots of this each year, especially at Christmas. The neatest trick I have learned is to butter a pizza pan and put it in a 200 degree oven while the brittle cooks. When I pour the candy onto the pan, it spreads very easily with a little shaking. I also cook several batches in a row without washing my two quart Pyrex mixing bowl, which I spray before cooking.
great idea…thanks for the tip
That was my Question Lorelei! Made a mess in our Pyrex! Any ideas on how to clean now I screwed up?
Soak the bowl in hot water, or the dishwasher will clean it right up.
For years, I did not spray and cleaned the bowl after every cooking. Now I sometime do as many as five cookings before cleaning the bowl.
Thanks!
I love this tip ! Thank you. I have way to many pizza pans from Papa Murthy’s. LOL
Sounds easy and awesome! I will definitely have to give this a try.
As soon as I read this I unplugged my laptop and went to my kitchen to make it. Luckily I had everything. I did do one thing different. I had a hard time spreading it thin in the pan. I grabbed a piece of foil sprayed with cooking and used that to press it thin . It worked great for me. I did have to use a towel on top of the foil since it is really hot.. It looks really good. I am now waiting for it to cool.
This looks like what my Mom use to make but, she didn’t have a microwave.
Thank you for this recipe. I love peanut brittle but have never made it. I’m gonna try it,maybe I won’t mess it up.
Has anyone made it without nuts I can’t eat nuts but love the brittle?
We do this but use 1/2 salted canned peanuts and 1/2 salted canned cashews. Delish!!!
i’ve made this many times…the baking soda is what makes it so good
Thanks so much for sharing this easy recipe. I’ve not ever made peanut brittle before, but do think I’ll have to try this. Pinning!