Candy-making in the microwave in 9 minutes.
Why wait for the pre-Christmas holiday season when you can chip a tooth any time of the year.
You don’t need a candy thermometer, it’s made in one bowl in the microwave, it’s ready to go in 9 minutes, and it’s covered in chocolate.
Of course you don’t have to top it with chocolate, but I think everything is better covered in chocolate.
I made Seven Minute Microwave Caramels and then I one-upped them with Chocolate-Covered 7-Minute Microwave Caramels
So right off the bat with the peanut brittle, chocolate is involved. I sprinkled chocolate chips on top of the hot brittle right after turning it out onto parchment. The residual heat from the brittle melted the chips so I had one less step and one less bowl to wash. Talk about easy.
The peanut brittle reminds me of Chocolate Saltine Toffee, otherwise known as Christmas Crack, because of the buttery, toffee flavor and the chocolate.
The difference is that the peanut brittle will stick to your teeth and it’s exceedingly crunchy. I read in the comments of this recipe where people have said that adding extra baking soda prevents some of the tooth-sticking situation, although I haven’t tried it.
If you’re looking for a fast and easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth without turning on your oven, try this. It’s also gluten-free if that’s a consideration for you.
The honey roasted peanuts in the brittle help create a salty-and-sweet element that will have you reaching for just one more piece. And one more.
If you need to a hostess gift, this is so easy and no one has to know it only takes 9 minutes to make.
It’s too good to only eat in December when it gets lost in a sea of sugar cutout cookies, peppermint fudge, and eggnog.
Savor the salty-and-sweet, tooth-sticking, good stuff year-round.
Pin This Recipe
Chocolate-Covered Microwave Peanut Brittle (gluten-free)
This flavorful, buttery, and very crunchy peanut brittle is made in the microwave in one bowl in just 9 minutes, without needing a candy thermometer. It’s so simple to make and makes a great gift, and no one will suspect how fast and easy it is. If you want to keep the brittle more traditional, omit the chocolate topping, but I prefer everything covered in chocolate.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup (light in color, not lite)
- 1 cup peanuts (I use honey roasted, or try salted dry roasted)
- 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- This is a fast moving recipe. Read the recipe at least twice, in entirety, before beginning. Have everything ready and in place before beginning. Use caution at all stages of recipe, including using a truly microwave-safe microwave-bowl and a trustworthy hot mitt. My microwave is an 1100-watt microwave; if yours is a significantly different wattage, you may need to reduce or extend cooking times slightly.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
- To a large microwave-safe bowl (at least 2 quarts because mixture bubbles up considerably) , add the sugar and corn syrup. Cook on high power for 4 minutes.
- Remove bowl from microwave and stir the mixture. Stir in the peanuts.
- Return bowl to microwave and cook on high power for 3 1/2 minutes.
- Remove bowl from microwave and stir in the butter.
- Stir in the vanilla. Use caution; this will cause the mixture to bubble up.
- Return bowl to microwave and cook on high power for 1 1/2 minutes.
- Remove bowl from microwave and stir in the baking soda until evenly distributed and mixture is light in color. Use caution; this will cause the mixture to bubble up and foam.
- Turn mixture out onto parchment, spreading in a thin layer about 1/2-inch thick, or to desired thickness.
- Wait about 1 minute, just so it’s very slightly firmed up, and evenly sprinkle the chocolate chips over the brittle.
- Wait 1 to 2 minutes, or until chips have softened and melted, and with a spatula or knife, smooth out the chocolate.
- Allow brittle and chocolate to set up at room temperature for at least 2 hours before breaking or cutting into pieces.
- Brittle will keep airtight at room temperature for at least 2 weeks, or in the refrigerator for at least 1 month, likely much longer. I store mine in the fridge.
Recipe adapted from Allrecipes
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 143Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 83mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 20gProtein: 2g
Related Recipes:
Chocolate Saltine Toffee, i.e. Christmas Crack
Seven Minute Microwave Caramels (no-bake, gluten-free)
Chocolate-Covered 7-Minute Microwave Caramels
Ritz Cracker Stuffed Peanut Butter Cups (No Bake, Vegan)
Butterfinger Bars (no-bake, make in microwave, vegan & GF options)
Sweet with Heat Cinnamon Sugar Candied Nuts (GF)
Soft and Chewy Honey Roasted Peanuts and Butterscotch Chip Cookies
Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter (vegan, GF)
Cinnamon Sugar Chocolate Pretzels – Make in the micro in 5 minutes, and one of the best things you’ll ever make in your microwave
Have you ever made peanut brittle? Tried your hand at candy-making, either traditional or in the microwave?
What size baking pan was used?
Re-read the recipe. Step 2.
Oh yes! I gotta have this asap :) looks incredible!
Yes, bring on the tooth-sticking, salty-sweet love, any time of year! My microwave is already making googly eyes at me. : D
LOL – enjoy :)
I am THE WORST at recipes that call for a candy thermometer! This looks like the best compromise everrrrrr. But. I am one of those weirdos with no microwave. I think I can pull this one off on the stove top, right?
I’m sure you can do it on the stovetop but I have no idea how the cooking times will translate. If you try it, LMK!
Using a thermometer to make candy is one of the things I hate the most! I stick it in one area and it’s the right temp. Another area and it’s too cool. SUCH a pain. I like the idea of making candy without the thermometer :)
And on top of that, the candy seems to stick to the thermometer and I’m having to chisel it off and it never really gets clean and is such a pain!
This is brilliant, Averie – will have to try. I make batches of toffee during the December holidays and each batch has me stirring for about 20 minutes…
Oh this is SO Easy Liz – you’ll love it!
Talk about instantly satisfying my sweet tooth…this is awesome! Have I told you how much I love your creativity? Beautiful job, as always!
you are too sweet & I feel the same way about YOU!
YES this is such a perfect gift-especially since it’s so easy! Anytime pb and chocolate are involved I’m also obviously pretty stoked :P
This sounds perfect; buttery, stick to your teeth, sweet and sticky! my perfect candy!
Do we need something so delicious made the easiest way possible? Ugh…. help.
I had such high hopes….. I failed! No bubbly concoction. Harden sugar that wouldn’t stir.
You may want to read the comments in this post http://allrecipes.com/recipe/microwave-peanut-brittle-2/ My recipe is based on that and it has 317+ 4.5/5 star ratings.
I am thinking your micro runs hot. You may want to scale back the cooking time and play around with it.
You totally have me sold on the 9-minutes. I have neither time nor patience for candy making so this here is just perfect for me!
I love anything nutty and a brittle is my favorite. If it’s this simple, I might just keep making it. Another recipe to pin. Thanks.
Ohh Averie these look amazing!! I love that you actually made these in the microwave!! :)
I love all the things you do in the microwave. These are fantabulous!! I love peanut brittle and everything is better with chocolate, for sure!
Sometimes the micro is about ALL I can handle with ‘cooking’ in the summer, especially!
Tooth chipping year-round, I love it. :) How awesome that this is made in the microwave! I love peanut brittle on its own, but haven’t ever had it with chocolate. I assume it’s just that much better!
It is that much more awesome :)
Oh, this stuff is dangerous. I can tell just by looking that I’d have to get it out the house quickly. It hits on all the stuff I crave the most, sweet, salty, crunchy, chocolaty. Yum!
it’s got all those textural and flavor elements that you just want more. And more. And more. :)
woman I love all your happy accidents as I like to call them!
peanut brittle in 9 minutes and no mess!
LOL
Brilliant girl just brilliant!
No mess, no candy thermometer, no effort, really!
This is such a dangerous recipe to have around when a sweet craving arises!
Ok I’ll totally have to give these a go. A couple years ago I attempted a faulty microwave divinity recipe (thanks a bundle Food Network Mag) and started a fire in the microwave. Luckily I was in someone else’s house when I was making it…or maybe that’s not lucky for them. No worries, the fire was put out quickly bc it was contained to the bowl I was using! Anyways, my last foray with microwave candies did’t go so well, as you can see :) but I’m willing to try again! haha
Omg a fire in your micro? Yeah I’d be super worried too but I’ve made MANY batches of caramels in the micro as well as the brittle without ANYTHING even so much as a tiny smidge of charcoal. NOTHING at all like your situation!
Amazing, Averie! I made peanut brittle last week (not for the blog). I love it so much. Love that it’s so quick and easy, that you added chocolate, and that it’s made in the microwave! Seriously LOVE that saltine toffee. :) So good!
What are the odds you made brittle LAST WEEK?!?! That’s when I was editing these pics. Made this about 2-3 weeks ago in advance of the trip. Needed easy recipes I could just bang out :)
I think I might love you! :)
:)
Unfortunately I do not own microwave. But it’s always fun to read your recipes.
These look incredible Averie! I love that it’s made in the microwave!! Awesome recipe!
I saw your gorg blueberry hand pies staring at me, front and center, on FG just now :) NICE!
this is an absolutely genius recipe! yum!
Mhmmm Averie this looks like a winner! But then again….all of your recipes are ;) I love when you don’t need a candy thermometer. It makes it so much simpler. I haven’t had peanut brittle in a while but I’ll be willing to break that trend and try this recipe. It looks super peanut buttery :)
I have the worst luck with candy therm’s and end up always getting candy STUCK to them that I can’t ever get off! Better I just don’t use them :)
Though I’m more of a toffee fan than a peanut brittle fan, this is one of the rare cases where I actually like peanuts in dessert. My dad LOVES this stuff. I’m sending this link to my mom, but in all reality, I’ll have to make it for him if I want him to eat it. :D
I bet he’s love it! And knowing you – there are ways you could spike this with ginger, cayenne, almonds, etc. Really vary it up!
Love this! I don’t think to make candy enough and that needs to change. Why not when you can make it in the microwave! And I love having some peanut brittle like this on hand to give as a gift to a deserving friend or neighbor. Thanks for the recipe, A.!
Needed an easy one that was nobake in the dead of summer before a trip. So a micro recipe it was!
Who knew peanut brittle could be so easy?! It’s one of my Grandpa’s favorite treats so I’ll have to make him a batch. Love the chocolate topping!
Just make sure he doesn’t chip a tooth :)
Averie, you make me live one dangerous life! I love it! Thanks for the danger! <3
LOL I love your sense of humor!
How do you come up with these incredible microwave treats?! I love it!!
Pressed for time, don’t want to turn on the oven, and bake so much stuff that sometimes I need to make SMALL batches of things …not like 3 more dozen cookies that we don’t need :)
I love that this is candy… made in a microwave. Almost dangerously easy! Fast, easy, microwavable- perfect to make for late- night studying! (My mind is on school stuff already… yikes!)
Ugh schoolwork. But this would be a great study snack break :)
I’m not a huge brittle fan…maybe cuz I don’t want to chip my tooth? lol In all honesty, I do eat it from time to time, but I’m usually not very excited about it. I’d be excited about this one! It must be that chocolatey coating and the fact that it’s 9 minutes. Sounds like a winner!
It’s one of those once a year recipes for me, but hey, now I know I can make it easily!
Would it be too much to propose to you over this one? Seriously. OMG :)
LOL you’re so sweet! And I saw your comment on my instagram Aruba pic. Thank you :) xo
This is so awesome and so quick to make. Christmas cooking gifts just got easier for me.
My thoughts exactly!
You have the best microwave treats! It’s truly amazing. These look incredible!
Thanks my friend!
This is so fast and easy!! Ah, yum! Love convenient, chocolate recipes (:
9 min to this? OK!!! I love quick desserts that turn out. Sometimes a girl just needs a quick sugar hit!
Exactly!
Love this! Would make awesome gifts!
Great idea for a quick and easy hostess gift! Pinning to try!
thanks for pinning :)
I need to try your recipe, Averie. I’ve attempted peanut brittle at least 3 times, and each time has been a disaster. The microwave method sounds fool-proof and something that I can’t mess up!
It is foolproof and you won’t mess it up! Please LMK how it goes!
I’ve been wanting to try this recipe! Since you approve, now I know I have to. I love a little peanut brittle, though it is rather annoying how it sticks in your teeth.
And this version DOES stick! You’re forewarned :)
I still haven’t tried this trick. I should. I love brittle. Ok, so maybe I shouldn’t so I don’t hurt myself eating it all ;-)
LOL – it’s sticky but oh so good :)
wow-these sound amazing! Really – do we have to cut them into bars?!
:)
Thanks so much for sharing this mouhwatering recipe!
You could just break them into pieces but for the photos, I didn’t want the chocolate to get all wonky looking so I cut them as best I could!
Oh yum! I’m obsessed with anything peanut butter, so this looks so good, not to mention incredibly easy to make! Ever since your peanut butter cookbook came out, I’ve been obsessing over how incredible it sounds my sister. Today’s my birthday and she gave me my present last night, and it was a copy of your cookbook! I was so excited and now I can’t wait to try out all of the different delicious recipes :)
What an awesome comment and thanks to your sister for buying my book and I am so happy that you have it now! Happy Birthday, too!
Please LMK what you make first, or as you make things, come back and drop me a comment on any post or on my FB wall and LMK how things are going! :)
I love peanut brittle in the microwave. I love it even more with chocolate. Your candy is gorgeous Averie!!!
I know you have a micro recipe too! It’s so easy – love it!
I do not need an excuse to eat peanut brittle in my house. Any time is peanut time, especially with such an easy recipe too. I love this as it makes for the BEST ice cream topping when you out of candied nuts and choc flakes. Also the clean up is easy as. Honestly who wants to clean up after making caramel anyway?
I’ve never thought of it as an ice cream topping but you’re so right! I bet it would be amazing! Semi-frozen, mmmm, I need to try! :)
My son was just exclaiming yesterday in a gift shop how much he loves peanut brittle. This definitely seems easy enough for mom. Thanks Averie!
How serendipitous! And yes, easy enough!
I had a client give me some peanut brittle along with her recipe for it and I was surprised she had done it in the microwave. I remember how it bubbled up like crazy when the vanilla and baking soda were added! I’ve also made rock candy in the microwave (LorAnn oils recipe). Mom used to make fudge and divinity the long, hard way–candy thermometer, standing at the stovetop and then at the mixer. I’ll take a microwave version any day!!
I’ll take the micro way over your mom’s way, any day. My mom makes amazing caramels, but they’re done the old-fash way and I do love my micro way just as much. Same with the brittle. And glad you’ve tried it too! Yes…bubble up city!
I am so regret of just giving my microwave to my sister!
I am so so so making this. Because it uses a microwave and second 9 minutes. I mean this sounds like a piece of cake which it might not be but we shall talk about that later.
Oh and one more thing, I will in most probability replace peanuts with almonds. Yum it would be!
Enjoy and LMK how it goes for you!
Yep. Totally going to happen. What’s better than a peanut butter, chocolatey, stick to your teeth, made in one bowl in 9 minutes treat without turning on your oven in the heat of summer? Nothing I tell you, nothing.
If you try it, LMK! And yes to no ovens this time of year!
I’ve never tried making my own peanut brittle, but I had an idea literally today about a savory spicy peanut brittle – as a garnish for entrees or perhaps for a spicy/salty/sweet dessert, like the Thai equivalent of Mexican chocolate – literally today and immediately thought of you. If anyone could conquer it and make a good one, it would be you! Maybe that’ll be in your next book, or your next Pinterest hit. ;)
I’ve had spicy chocolate before – like cayenne/chili powder with chocolate. It’s interesting and you have to get used to it, but it can be so good! It’s not everyone’s cup of tea so I haven’t really jumped on the idea for my blog, but glad you’re a fan!
I love microwaved sweet treats! These look like such tooth-sticking deliciousness. Thank you for sharing!
Totally tooth-sticking :)