If you’re looking for an easy peanut brittle recipe that doesn’t dirty many dishes, is pretty much foolproof, this one is it!
I love making homemade candy and once a year, I pull out all of my equipment and a few recipes and do just that. Peanut Brittle is among the favorites although the fast-paced steps of making it on the stove always stressed me out. Thanks why I love this microwave peanut brittle recipe so much. It’s so incredibly easy- less than 10 minutes from start to finish!
How to Make Peanut Brittle
For different watt microwaves, the order in which you add ingredients is the same, however, the times will vary depending on how powerful your microwave oven is. Mine is 1500 watt, so that’s the only one I’ve tested out myself, just FYI.
Before you do anything, assemble all of your ingredients and line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper. If you don’t have any parchment paper, I really recommend buying some prior to making any candy as it just makes things so much easier. You can use foil sprayed with cooking spray as an alternative.
I’ve always used Spanish peanuts for making peanut brittle. I know other people use roasted nuts or even cashews- again, use what you like!
To test brittle to make sure it’s done, drop a small amount into a bowl of cold water. The candy will become hard and – you guessed it- brittle when it’s done. {see picture down below}
Why did my peanut brittle turn out chewy?
If you find that your peanut brittle turned out soft and chewy, it could most likely be a result of an undercooked brittle recipe. Peanut brittle has to reach the hard-crack sugar stage meaning that after testing your sugar mix in cold water it should make small strands that break easily.
What does baking soda do to peanut brittle?
By adding baking soda to your peanut brittle mix, you allow a chemical reaction that creates a ton of little air bubbles. Not only does this increase the overall volume of your brittle, but it also gives it a more tender and delicate texture making it much easier to chew and enjoy.
Directions for Making Peanut Brittle in a 1k (1000+ watt) microwave
Step 1: Combine the sugar and corn syrup and stir. Microwave for 2 minutes, 30 seconds.
Step 2: Add nuts, stir, and microwave for an additional 2 minutes.
Step 3: Add in the vanilla and butter, stir. Microwave for an additional 2 minutes.
Note: If you prefer darker peanut brittle, microwave it for an additional minute.
Step 4: Add in baking soda, stirring quickly.
Step 5: Pour into prepared pan. Let sit until hard. Break pieces up with a kitchen mallet.
Directions for Making Peanut Brittle in a 700-950 Watt Microwave
Step 1: Combine the sugar and corn syrup and stir. Microwave for 4 minutes
Step 2: Add nuts, stir, and microwave for an additional 3 minutes.
Step 3: Add in the vanilla and butter, stir. Microwave for an additional 3 minutes.
Note: If you prefer darker peanut brittle, microwave it for an additional minute.
Step 4: Add in baking soda, stirring quickly.
Step 5: Pour into prepared pan. Let sit until hard. Break pieces up with a kitchen mallet.
ENJOY! |
Ingredients
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
- 1 1/2 cups salted peanuts
- 2 TBSP butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Combine your sugar and corn syrup in a bowl, stir and microwave for 2.5 minutes for 1000+ watt or 4 minutes for 700-950 watt.
- Add in the peanuts and stir and microwave an additional 2 min if 1000+ or 3 min if 700-950 watt.
- Add in the butter and vanilla, stir and microwave 2 min if 1000+ watt or 3 min if 700-950 watt.
- Cook the brittle an additional minute if you desire a darker colored brittle.
- Add in the baking soda, stirring quickly.
- Pour onto a parchment-lined pan and let cool.
- Once solid, break it with a kitchen mallet and enjoy it.
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Does humidity affect making peanut brittle?
Unfortunately, another reason why peanut brittle results may vary has to do with the weather. Candy making is as dependant on proper cooking temps and times as it is the weather forecast. A humid climate will cause brittle to not set up correctly and become soft and sticky.
Why is my peanut brittle too hard?
If you overcook your peanut brittle and let it reach too high of a temperature, it will become too hard to truly enjoy. You may need to opt for licking each piece like a lollipop instead of chewing. This is one reason why paying attention to microwave wattage is important.
How long will Peanut Brittle last?
Homemade peanut brittle will last for up to 2 months at room temperature if it is properly stored.
How do you store peanut brittle?
After breaking the pieces, wrap them tightly and store them in an airtight container.
Check out these other tasty candy recipes!
- Raspberry Jelly Candy
- Homemade Candy Corn
- Valentine Candy Bark
- Martha Washington Candy
- Christmas Candy Puffcorn
Microwave peanut brittle is a delicious candy treat that is sure to satisfy those salty-sweet cravings any time of the year, but they also make for a great homemade Christmas gift!
Whit says
oh wow I for sure need to go and get the ingredients for this today! I love peanut brittle and this looks so easy. thank you
Vespa Woolf says
I've never heard of this method. Sounds fast and easy! Thank you–I'm gonna try it soon!
Terstamper says
Thank you! Looks fast and easy.<br /><br /> Ter 😉
Jordyn Garner-Oliver says
Sooo excited to make this! Perfect for the holidays and neighborly gifts! Thanks!
Rachelle Veenstra says
Thank you so much for this recipe! The times that worked for my grandmother's microwave, did NOT work for mine. Your times were perfect!! I also use 1/2c white sugar and 1/2c brown sugar and it turns out a little darker.
Mary Blackmon says
how much butter?
Jessica says
2 TBSP
Greg Bailey says
How much butter do you nuse for thisw peanut brittle?
Jessica says
2 TBSP- sorry about that!