Peanut Brittle- Microwave Version, Done in Less Than 10 Minutes!

I love making various holiday candy, but sometimes the entire lengthy process standing in front of a stove, watching that darn candy thermometer is so tiring! Here's a delicious and EASY Peanut Brittle recipe- made entirely in the microwave!

Be sure to stop by my food blog, www.ButterwithaSideofBread.com for more amazing recipes!


Microwave Peanut Brittle

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1 1/2 cups salted spanish peanuts
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 TBSP butter
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 pinch salt

The order in which you add ingredients is the same, however the times will vary depending on how powerful your microwave oven is. Mine is 1500 watt, so that's the only one I've tested out myself, just FYI.

Before you do anything, assemble all of your ingredients and line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper. If you don't have any parchment paper, I really recommend buying some prior to making any candy as it just makes things so much easier. You can use foil sprayed with cooking spray as an alternative.

I made my brittle in an 8-cup glass measuring bowl. The original recipe said to use a 4-cup measuring cup, but my brittle boiled up to the 6 cup line, so I have no idea how others used a 4-cup! Use a large glass bowl at the very least.

I've always used Spanish peanuts for making peanut brittle. I know other people use roasted nuts or even cashews- again, use what you like!

Step 1: The "How-To" Depending on How Powerful Your Microwave Is...

Directions for a 1 kw {1000 watt} microwave oven and above

Step 1: Combine the sugar and corn syrup and stir. Microwave for 2 minutes, 30 seconds.
Step 2: Add nuts, stir and microwave for an additional 2 minutes.
Step 3: Add in the vanilla and butter, stir. Microwave for an additional 2 minutes.
Note:  If you prefer darker peanut brittle, microwave it for an additional minute.
Step 4: Add in baking soda, stirring quickly.
Step 5: Pour into prepared pan. Let sit until hard. Break pieces up with a kitchen mallet.


Directions for a 700 watt microwave oven to 950 watt oven

Step 1: Combine the sugar and corn syrup and stir. Microwave for 4 minutes
Step 2: Add nuts, stir and microwave for an additional 3 minutes.
Step 3: Add in the vanilla and butter, stir. Microwave for an additional 3 minutes.
Note:  If you prefer darker peanut brittle, microwave it for an additional minute.
Step 4: Add in baking soda, stirring quickly.
Step 5: Pour into prepared pan. Let sit until hard. Break pieces up with a kitchen mallet.


To test brittle to make sure it's done, drop a small amount into a bowl of cold water. The candy will become hard and - you guessed it- brittle, when it's done.