Easy microwave peanut brittle recipe that makes a crispy airy peanut brittle perfect for Christmas treats or a gift idea. This old fashioned homemade recipe is made in an 1100 watt microwave.
Peanut brittle! If you’ve never had it, you’re missing out. The sweetness, the crunch – the peanuts! This old fashioned peanut brittle recipe that you can make in the microwave is a family favorite! And it is so easy to make. You can wow your family – your friends – your kid’s teachers with a batch of this goodness.
This recipe has been made by my mom for decades. And this year I told her I wanted to make it as well. I don’t know why I thought that peanut brittle would be intimidating to make. With the microwave – it could not be easier! Using raw peanuts this recipe gives you the right amount of salty and sweet. Yum!
How to Make Peanut Brittle In the Microwave
First, you need a 1100 watt microwave to have success with this recipe. If your microwave is not 1100 watts I can’t guarantee the results. So if your microwave is not 1100 watts go out and buy a new microwave. It will be worth it. Just kidding. Sort of. 🙂
In a 1.5 quart baking dish combine raw peanuts, sugar and light corn syrup. So many recipes out there say to use regular peanuts. Don’t do it. You need raw peanuts that will cook naturally as you make this recipe. You can find raw peanuts with skins in the produce section of your grocery store. They’re not with all the other peanuts. Why? Why!
Microwave at 70% power for 4 minutes and 25 seconds.
Stir like crazy.
Put it back in the microwave at 70% power and microwave for another four minutes.
Stir in the butter and vanilla.
Microwave for the last time at 70% power for two minutes.
Immediately add the baking soda and stir until the peanut brittle is foamy and light.
Pour onto a greased baking sheet. The brittle will naturally spread to about 1/4 inch thickness.
Let cool and break apart.
How long does it take peanut brittle to cool?
It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to completely cool. Unless you’re like me and live in a drafty old farmhouse – you can cut that cooling time in half. 😉
Do I need a candy thermometer to make this recipe?
No. You can make this easy peanut brittle recipe without a candy thermometer because of the exact baking times in the microwave using a 1100 watt microwave at 70% heat.
How long does Peanut Brittle last?
You can store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 1 week or until you find it starts to taste stale.
I hope you enjoy this old fashioned homemade recipe that’s been adapted to the microwave! You get the same amazing results without the time and hassle of a vintage recipe. That’s winning in my book!
Enjoy!
Microwave Peanut Brittle Video
More Dessert Recipes for Gifts
Peanut Brittle Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Cups raw peanuts with skins
- 1 Cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 Cup light corn syrup
- 1 tsp butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
Instructions
**This recipe is based on an 1100-watt microwave.
- Combine peanuts, sugar, and corn syrup in a 1 1/2 quart microwavable dish. Microwave for four minutes and 25 seconds at 70% power. Stir.
- Microwave again for four minutes at 70% power. Add butter and vanilla and stir until combined.
- Microwave for the final time at 70% power for 2 minutes. Add baking soda and quickly stir until foamy and light.
- Spread onto greased baking sheet. Let spread until about 1/4 inch thick.
Comments & Reviews
I never would have thought to make this in the microwave – totally adding these with gift baskets this holiday!
I love simple, time-saving desserts like this. During the holidays, I often make an assortment of treats to bundle up as gifts. This would make a great addition!
to help the brittle spread better, i heat my cookie sheets in the oven on 200 degrees.
i love how this is done in the microwave…i love all things peanut flavored so i know this is going to be a favorite around here.
I love peanut brittle and this looks too easy to make. I just finished making my Christmas hard candy which is done on the stove with the thermometer and takes an entire day to make 6 flavors. Next year I am going to make this brittle for sure! Merry Christmas!
I didn’t know or imagine that you could make peanut brittle in the microwave. That is for sure a quick way to to create something sweet at home.
My grandmother was a big fan of peanut brittle. So much so, she used to make it year round. Her recipe got misplaced many years ago and now your recipe is reminding me that I haven’t ever made it myself. I can not wait to try your delicious recipe!!
ohhh, I know we have some lite corn syrup and peanuts. I might have to make this.
Love homemade peanut brittle! This recipe sounds delicious! We always add pure maple syrup to ours-
Yum! Never made one myself, but I like it a lot! This seems such an easy recipe to follow and in almost no time we could be enjoying this delicious peanut brittle!