You have 0 items in your cart
Easy Peanut Brittle Recipe
October 11, 2026
Leave a comment!
This post may contain affiliate links. View my privacy policy and disclosure policy for more details.
This homemade Peanut Brittle is buttery, sweet, and loaded with roasted peanuts in every crunchy bite. It’s surprisingly easy to make with just a handful of ingredients, and it’s always a hit around the holidays. Break it into pieces for holiday treat trays, package some up for gifting, or keep a little stash at home for when your sweet tooth kicks in.
Quick Summary
Difficulty: Beginner
Why you’ll love it: Sweet, crunchy peanut brittle packed with roasted peanuts and buttery caramel flavor.
Time: 1 hr 15 min (10 min hands-on)
Good For: Holiday treats, homemade gifts, candy trays
Freezer-friendly: Yes
If you love this peanut brittle recipe, try Homemade Toffee for another buttery, crunchy homemade candy.
Ingredient Notes
You only need a few pantry staples to make this homemade peanut brittle.
- Granulated sugar: Gives the brittle its sweetness and helps create that hard, glassy candy coating.
- Light corn syrup: Keeps the sugar mixture smooth as it cooks, helping the brittle turn out crisp.
- Roasted salted peanuts: Bring plenty of peanut flavor and a nice salty bite to balance the sweetness.
- Salted butter: Adds a little richness and buttery flavor to the candy.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the caramel flavor with a hint of vanilla.
- Baking soda: Makes the hot candy foam up slightly, creating a lighter texture that breaks apart with a satisfying crunch.
How to Make Peanut Brittle
Making peanut brittle is all about reaching the right temperature and moving quickly once it’s ready. For full recipe details, including ingredient measurements, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here are my step-by-step directions:
Step 1: Prep Everything
Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Measure the peanuts, butter, vanilla, and baking soda so everything is within reach when you’re ready to mix.
Step 2: Cook the Sugar Mixture
Add the sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt to a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture boils.
Step 3: Let the Syrup Cook
Once the mixture starts boiling, stop stirring and let it cook until it reaches about 250°F on a candy thermometer. Watch the temperature as it climbs.
Pro Tip: A candy thermometer makes a big difference here. Even a small temperature difference can affect how crunchy your peanut brittle turns out.
Step 4: Stir in the Peanuts
Add the roasted salted peanuts and stir frequently as the mixture cooks. Keep going until the temperature reaches 300°F and the candy turns a deep golden color.
Step 5: Add the Finishing Ingredients
Remove the saucepan from the heat and quickly stir in the butter and vanilla, followed by the baking soda. The mixture will foam up, so use a long-handled spoon and stir carefully.
Step 6: Spread the Candy
Pour the hot mixture onto your prepared baking sheet immediately. Use a buttered spatula to spread it into a thin, even layer before it hardens.
Make-Ahead Tip: Peanut brittle is a great homemade treat to prepare a few days before a holiday or gathering. Once cooled and broken into pieces, store it in an airtight container to keep it crisp.
Step 7: Let It Cool
Leave the brittle at room temperature for about 30–60 minutes, or until it has completely hardened. Give it enough time to set before breaking it apart.
Step 8: Break Into Pieces
Once the brittle is firm and cool, break it into bite-sized pieces. Serve it on a candy tray, package it up for gifts, or keep a few pieces handy when you want something sweet and crunchy.
Tips for Success
- Choose a dry day if possible. Humidity can make peanut brittle sticky, so it turns out best in dry air. If it’s humid, store the finished candy in an airtight container as soon as it cools.
- Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan. It helps distribute the heat more evenly, reducing the chance of hot spots that can scorch the sugar before the rest of the mixture is ready.
- Watch the color and temperature. The candy should turn a deep golden amber, but it can burn quickly once it gets close to 300°F. Have your other ingredients ready so you can finish it promptly.
- Keep the baking soda fresh. Old baking soda may not react as well, leaving the brittle denser than you’d like. Fresh baking soda helps create that lighter, crisp texture.
- Avoid making the layer too thick. A thinner layer gives you that satisfying snap and makes the brittle easier to break into pieces. Work gently with the spatula so you don’t press out the air bubbles.
What to Serve With Peanut Brittle
If you’re putting together a dessert tray or planning a little holiday treat spread, these homemade sweets and drinks pair well with peanut brittle.
- Hot Chocolate: Make a big batch for everyone to enjoy with their favorite sweet treats.
- Peanut Butter Fudge: If you love peanut butter, you’ll want to add this one to the dessert table.
- Hot Cocoa Pie: With its chocolate filling and marshmallow topping, this pie is a fun choice for holiday dinners.
- Peanut Butter Toffee Cookies: These cookies are a natural fit for a candy-filled dessert spread.
- Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookie: These buttery cookies are fun to decorate for Christmas, birthdays, or any special get-together.
Give this peanut brittle recipe a try, and be sure to save a few pieces for yourself! The printable recipe card below has everything you need to make a batch.
Easy Peanut Brittle Recipe
This classic Peanut Brittle Recipe is loaded with roasted peanuts and has that perfectly crisp, crunchy texture you want in homemade brittle. It's an old-fashioned candy made with simple pantry ingredients and is perfect for holiday gifting.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups roasted salted peanuts
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Measure the peanuts, butter, vanilla, and baking soda before beginning. Once the candy reaches temperature, you'll need to work quickly.
- Add sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt to a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to boil.
- Once boiling, stop stirring and cook until the mixture reaches approximately 250°F on a candy thermometer.
- Stir in the peanuts and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the candy reaches 300°F and is a deep golden color.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Immediately stir in butter and vanilla, followed by the baking soda. The mixture will foam considerably.
- Immediately pour onto the prepared baking sheet. Working quickly, spread the mixture into a thin, even layer using a buttered spatula.
- Allow the brittle to cool completely at room temperature, about 30–60 minutes.
- Once completely hardened, break into irregular pieces.
Notes
- Measure everything before you start. Candy-making moves very quickly once the syrup reaches 300°F.
- Baking soda creates tiny air bubbles in the candy, giving peanut brittle its lighter, easier-to-bite texture.
- Don’t make brittle on an especially humid day if you can avoid it; moisture can make hard candy sticky.
- Be extremely careful handling the hot sugar mixture.
- Don’t refrigerate the finished brittle. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Place parchment between layers to prevent the pieces from sticking together.
Nutrition
Calories: 114kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 3gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 121mgPotassium: 72mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 29IUCalcium: 11mgIron: 0.2mg
Rate This RecipePlease consider Leaving a 5-Star Review!
Tools You’ll Need
A few basic kitchen tools make this peanut brittle easier to prepare and help you get the right texture.
- Candy thermometer – helps you monitor the sugar mixture and know when it reaches the right temperature for brittle.
- Saucepan – gives the sugar, corn syrup, and butter room to cook without spilling.
- Rimmed baking sheet – makes it easy to spread the hot peanut brittle into an even layer before it hardens.
- Measuring cups and spoons – help you measure each ingredient accurately for consistent results.
More Recipes to Try
How to Store Peanut Brittle
Store peanut brittle in an airtight container at room temperature in a cool, dry place. Keep it away from heat and humidity to help it stay crisp. It should keep well for about 2–3 weeks when stored properly.
Can you freeze peanut brittle? You can, but moisture during thawing may make it sticky. For the best texture, keep it in an airtight container at room temperature.
If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tag me @laurens_latest.
