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

  • Diana Herrera

    I made this brittle last night. I covered bowl while cooking in the microwave . It turned out great! Tastes really good with the mexican vanilla added. Soak utensils and bowl immediately or you will be scrubbing. Thanks for sharing.

  • Penelope Riley

    I’ve made this twice and the first time I think I used a whole cup of karo syrup by mistake (by looking at the bottle when I went to make the second batch) and it actually turned out better. The second time was too brittle. I didn’t even put it back in the microwave after adding the butter and vanilla – just added the baking soda and spread it out in the pan. It was really good both times, just a better texture the first.
    Can you tell me what purpose the butter has? Could I omit it for Vegan daughter, or substitute something?

  • Mona J Porter

    Made it today and it was super easy. Less than 15 minutes and followed your directions to the letter. Took longer to clean the bowl and utensils than it did to make the peanut brittle. Thank you. Very good.

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Some reviewers have had issues with the brittle so I thought it would be better to link right were I got the recipe so others may find helpful info within comments there and so forth.

  • sharon

    if anyone out there can help me how long do you cook the finished brittle after adding the baking soda or do you just let sit there and harden ?

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      No cooking after adding baking soda, spread over baking sheet right after stirring.

    • Celeste

      Bummer to get all the way to the bottom of your page only to be directed to the website for the primary source.
      Really???

      • Jaclyn

        Jaclyn Bell

        Some people have mentioned issues with the recipe and where it’s not mine I thought it might be more helpful (rather than deleting) to link to the original source and helpful reviews.

      • Becky

        This is an amazing recipe. I followed the directions and burnt it because I have a new microwave. I threw that batch out and made it over. My entire family loved it.