Microwave Peanut Brittle

Published December 10, 2018. Updated June 14, 2024

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The easiest Microwave 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 crisp 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 your list, or for yourself of course!

If you like your peanut brittle to have more of the meltaway effect, I like to spread it 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) or other nuts like pecans, almonds, or cashew
  • Butter
  • Vanilla
  • Baking soda

Whisking sugar and corn syrup in a bowl.

Candy Making Essentials

There are some tools that are necessary for making peanut brittle. I recommend having as many of these tools on hand as you can!

  • Large microwave-safe bowl, glass bowl or plastic
  • Cooking spray
  • Cookie sheet
  • Silicone spatula
  • Oven mitts
  • Candy thermometer
  • Airtight container for storage
  • Parchment paper

How to Make Easy 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.
  • A newer watt microwave should have 30 seconds cut from each cook time.
  • Note that the less you spread the mixture, the lighter the brittle will be, or the 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 on your prepared baking sheet.

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

  • Patricia

    When I stayed with the recipe for your peanut butter I found that it was very close to burning.Can you tell me what the the wattage should be , I have a new microwave and have no idea what temperature I should cook it at ,my microwave is 1200 watts and not sure if I need to cook it at 5-6-7 power to get results.Would love to hear from you ,have made peanut brittle before with great results but that was with an old micro. Thank you so much for your time, Patricia

  • Liz

    This is a great recipe but I recommend adding 1/4 cup water to the sugar and corn syrup.

  • Kimberly S Boxer

    So easy and great; I find myself making a batch every week or two. Have you ever tried it with Brown Sugar or Honey?

  • Marilyn

    Can you please tell me what containers are safe to make this recipe in because it’s obviously a high temp recipe. I’d had a hard plastic container that said it’s microwave safe but it started to melt. Glass can explode so any advice will be greatly appreciated.

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      This is a difficult question and that’s why I’ve redirected to All Recipes where I got the recipe from because I don’t know the safety on this. I believe pyrex is microwave safe to high temperatures but I would refer to their website or help center. Some glass bowls these days aren’t made as well so I definitely recommend checking with the manufacturer for safety precautions.

      • Jo Ann Campbell

        I just researched that very same thing. I have a Pyrex bowl from the 70’s and about to try it. The information I found said the bowl can withstand 450 degrees.

    • Kimberly S Boxer

      I got a anchor hocking bowl with a handle from Wayfair since I didn’t have a bowl big or sturdy enough.