Microwave Peanut Brittle

Published December 10, 2018. Updated December 20, 2020

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The easiest Peanut Brittle recipe you’ll ever make! This version is made in the microwave and it’s practically foolproof. It’s made with basic ingredients and everyone is sure to love it! It has a perfectly crips texture and an irresistible nutty, caramel-like flavor.

Close up image of stake of peanut brittle showing texture.

Easy Homemade Peanut Brittle

You wouldn’t believe how easy it is to make this Microwave Peanut Brittle. Not only that but it has the perfect texture and it tastes delicious! No one will even know you made it in the microwave.

It will make a perfect last minute gift for that friend or neighbor on you list, or for yourself of course :)!

If you like your peanut brittle to have more of the meltaway effect, I like to spread as little as possible so it’s light and crisp. If you like it more of the traditional way just spread it out thin. Either way you are going to love this!

Merry Christmas week everyone!

Ingredients for Peanut Brittle

  • Granulated sugar
  • Light corn syrup
  • Salted peanuts (unsalted works too just wait to add 1/4 tsp salt at the end with baking soda)
  • Butter
  • Vanilla
  • Baking soda

Whisking sugar and corn syrup in a bowl.

How to Make Microwave Peanut Brittle

For directions visit allrecipes.com.

Stirring peanuts into mixture in mixing bowl.

Adding butter and vanilla mixture in mixing bowl.

  • Cook times may vary slightly depending on microwave wattage. Watch for a golden brown color near the end.
  • Reviewers have mentioned trouble with this recipe in recent years. I believe this is due to microwaves being made with higher wattages.
  • Newer higher wattage microwave should have 30 seconds cut from each cook time.
  • Note that the less you spread the lighter the brittle will be, or more air bubbles it will have, so if you prefer it like so then do as little spreading as possible. If you prefer it flatter then spread it out thin.

Adding baking soda to mixture in mixing bowl.

Spreading finished peanut brittle mixture onto baking sheet.

Breaking peanut brittle into pieces after cooling.

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4.55 from 33 votes

Microwave Peanut Brittle

The easiest Peanut Brittle recipe you'll ever make! This version is made in the microwave and it's practically foolproof. It's made with basic ingredients and everyone is sure to love it! It has a perfectly crips texture and an irresistible nutty, caramel-like flavor.
Servings: 20
Prep10 minutes
Cook9 minutes
Ready in: 19 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

  • Cook times may vary slightly depending on microwave wattage. Watch for a golden brown color near the end.
  • Reviewers have mentioned trouble with this recipe in recent years. I believe this is due to microwaves being made with higher wattages.
  • Newer higher wattage microwave should have 30 seconds cut from each cook time.
  • Note that the less you spread the lighter the brittle will be, or more air bubbles it will have, so if you prefer it like so then do as little spreading as possible. If you prefer it flatter then spread it out thin.
Nutrition Facts
Microwave Peanut Brittle
Amount Per Serving
Calories 111 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Cholesterol 1mg0%
Sodium 102mg4%
Potassium 48mg1%
Carbohydrates 18g6%
Sugar 16g18%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 20IU0%
Calcium 5mg1%
Iron 0.2mg1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

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143 Comments

  • TRUDY MANN

    I have only made peanut brittle one other time, it took almost 30 minutes of cook time, it was like watching paint dry!! I wasn’t sure about making it in the microwave but decided I’d give it a try. This was so easy and delicious and was the perfect texture with just the right amount of peanuts to candy ratio. This will definitely be my “go to” recipe every time. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe!

  • Mike

    I have used a similar recipe for some time, only using 2 tbsp peanut butter in place of the butter. It pulls the oils needed from there and gives a great flavor as a whole.

  • Libbie Suntioinen

    Thanks for this recipe. I have never made microwave brittle before so was suspicious but it made up perfectly for me! I think my old fashioned recipe is going to be retired since it is so temperamental and this was so easy :-)

  • Lori

    I’ve never made peanut brittle in my life and I thought I’d try this because my husband loves peanut brittle. I have made a lot of dishes from pins on Pinterest that have been less than mediocre. This is by the far the best recipe I’ve found on here and oh so easy and delicious! Thank you and have a Merry Christmas!

  • Vanessa Grimes

    I made this recipe and has never failed to turn out right. Been making microwave peanut brittle for many years! I am all about easy recipes. Very easy to make. Thank you for sharing your recipes!

  • Jr Fredrickson

    Recipe was very helpful! I needed to reduce the corn syrup to 1/4c and increase the peanuts to 1-1/2c but that’s probably due to ambient temp, humidity and my little microwave. I’m so glad to have found a recipe to replace the one I lost 10yrs ago. Thank you so much!

  • barbara clapp

    This was the worst p.b. I have ever made. the cooking time of 3 1/2 minutes when adding the peanuts was way too long for my micro. my usual time is 2 minutes and adding the butter 1 minute. your recipe was totally very dark brown smelled burned and was not edible as it tasted very burned.

    • Charissa

      Thanks! You are right about cooking time. Today’s microwaves must be more powerful. I will try with time you suggested. I’ve made this recipe for over 20 years and now it gets too dark.