Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe

This is the easiest peanut brittle recipe you’ll ever make! Microwave peanut brittle uses simple ingredients you probably have in your pantry. You can make classic peanut brittle that’s has a crisp caramel and peanut flavor – without all the hard work!

 

If you’re looking for that sweet and salty falvor, this microwave peanut brittle recipe is the best. You’re going to love how simple it can be to make homemade candy! It’s perfect for the holiday season.

Microwave Peanut Brittle

This easy microwave peanut brittle is a delicious treat and makes perfect holiday gifts, too. Who doesn’t like to receive a goodie package with homemade peanut brittle?

This classic treat is the easiest peanut brittle recipe you’ll ever make, and no one will have any clue that you used your microwave to make it.

Use this sweet treat as the perfect excuse to start your holiday baking season. It’s an easy recipe that takes less time than old fashioned peanut brittle.

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ light corn syrup
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 ½ cups dry roasted peanuts
• 1 Tbsp butter, unsalted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda

Instructions

It’s important to point out that this recipe is a 700W microwave. If your microwave is a higher wattage, you’ll need to do the following steps on a reduced power.

• Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat liner. Or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a microwave-safe mixing bowl combine sugar, corn syrup, salt and microwave on high for 3-4 minutes. 
• Stir in peanuts and microwave 3 more minutes. 
• Mix in butter and vanilla and stir. Microwave for 1-2 minutes longer. 
• Quickly stir in the baking soda and vanilla and stir until the butter is melted. Don’t stir too long. You’ll want to use oven mitts, as this liquid is extremely hot. Pour the brittle mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.
• To spread the peanut brittle out, tilt the baking sheet. It will have a golden color to it.
• Let cool for 15 minutes. 
• Break into pieces.

Suggestions and Alternatives

• Change up the nuts – I know this is peanut brittle but you could easily change this up to be cashew brittle just by replacing the peanuts with cashews.

Important Step in Microwave Peanut Brittle

Using your microwave oven to bake sugar and corn syrup things can easily (and quickly) go wrong. Be sure to know your microwave wattage before you embark on the recipe.

This recipe is for a 700W microwave. If your microwave is a higher wattage, you’ll need to do this on a reduced power) We made this recipe in a 1100 watt microwave on 50% power. Don’t overlook the 50% power part! The first time we made this, we overcooked the mixture and it burned.

What Kind of Peanuts Should I Use for Peanut Brittle?

This recipe can handle most types of peanuts. We chose a regular dry roasted peanut you can get at the grocery store. Some people like Spanish peanuts

Tips For making Microwave Peanut Brittle

Make sure to have all of your ingredients premeasured and waiting so you can pour and stir quickly. This recipe moves fast and the ingredients will harden so you need to have everyone ready to go so that there isn’t any lag time.

Add cooking spray to the rim of your bowl so when you pour it won’t end up sticking to your bowl. You’ll be surprised at how sticky it will get – and fast!

Let your glass bowl cool before putting it in the water in the sink. If you add a hot bowl to water too quickly without letting it cool down, there is a high risk of the glass bowl shattering.

(TIP: heat your cookie sheet so it’s warm when you put the peanut brittle on it, it will help it spread easier.)

Can You Freeze Peanut Brittle?

Absolutely. I’ve frozen some of it before and it thawed perfectly. I’ve found that freezing leftover peanut brittle in individual freezer bags made for a quick and easy way to grab and thaw a few pieces rather than unthaw it all at once.

What is the Easiest Way to Break Peanut Brittle?

You have a couple of options for breaking peanut brittle. The first is to gently bang the baking sheet on the counter until the breaks the brittle. Be careful so that pieces don’t fly off and onto the floor.

The other option is to hit the peanut brittle with a spoon handle or dull kitchen object to break it into pieces. Just like mentioned above, be careful so that the pieces don’t fly off and end on the floor.

Why Did My Peanut Brittle Not Harden?

Peanut brittle has to reach the hard crack stage. If the peanut brittle doesn’t cook long enough it won’t set up properly. but, if you cook it too long it will burn.

What Causes Air Bubbles in Peanut Brittle?

The air bubbles are created. from the addition of the baking soda. It’s what give the airy mixture it’s hard, yet creamy texture.

I think that you’re going to enjoy making this simple microwaveable treat. It’s fast, simple, and an easy recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite. The sweet and salty flavor is popular like other candy recipes, this one is quick and easy and perfect for the Christmas season.

More Christmas Recipes

• Christmas Wreath Cornflake Cookies
• Ooey Gooey Christmas Cookies
• Chewy Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
• Pinwheel Sugar Cookies
• Cranberry and White Chocolate Cookies
• Peanut Butter Balls
• Fruitcake Cookies
• Candy Cane Kiss Cookies
• Frosted Christmas Cookies
• Christmas Sugar Cookies