This classic Peanut Brittle recipe is easy to make and great for gift giving year-round. It’s buttery, airy, and oh so addicting!

An overhead picture of a bowl full of peanut brittle with text overlay for Pinterest.

Classic Peanut Brittle Recipe

I wanted to name this Beth’s fabulous, tasty, buttery, delicious, addicting Peanut Brittle. BUT, Google only gives me 60 characters for a title, so I just kept it simple.

This Peanut Brittle recipe is my sister-in-law, Beth’s. She is a peanut brittle pro and has been making this delectable candy for over 20 years now.

If you’re new to candy making, then I suggest starting with this Peanut Brittle recipe. It’s straightforward to make. Beth wanted me to share three musts with this recipe:

  1. A candy thermometer is a MUST to make this recipe.
  2. You must be exact with the temperatures.
  3. You must butter the cookie sheet and NOT use a nonstick cooking spray.

Broken brittle on a sheet pan.

Peanut Brittle Recipe Ideas:

  1. Drizzle it with white or dark chocolate after it’s broken into pieces.
  2. Use other nuts like pistachios, hazelnuts, cashews, pecans, almonds, or macadamia nuts. You can even use pumpkin seeds instead of nuts!
  3. Right after pouring the brittle out onto the buttered cookie sheet, sprinkle it with some crumbled bacon. This sweet and salty combination takes on a new level of irresistible!
  4. Make cinnamon brittle by adding one teaspoon of cinnamon the same time you add in the baking soda.
  5. Crush up the brittle nice and fine and cover freshly dipped caramel apples with it.
  6. Make the brittle SPICY by adding a ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper at the same time as the baking soda.
  7. Sprinkle some sea salt on top of the brittle to get a fantastic salty-sweet sensation!

A picture collage of the steps taken to make this peanut brittle recipe.

What is the purpose of adding baking soda to peanut brittle?

Once you add the baking soda to the hot mixture, it bubbles up, and the mixture becomes somewhat airy. When the brittle sets, those air bubbles dry and give the candy its distinctive airy texture.

How long does it take for peanut brittle to dry?

It takes about 30 minutes for it to dry or set. 

How do you store peanut brittle?

It must be stored in a cool, dry place in either an air-tight container or Ziploc bag.

Cook’s Note – Peanut Brittle:

  • Make sure you have all of your ingredients measured out and ready before you begin making this recipe. The recipe moves quickly, and you won’t have time to measure out the ingredients in between steps.
  • The brittle will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for about two weeks, but I bet it won’t last that long!
  • While this recipe is most popular around the holidays, I like making and gifting it at other times of the year, like Valentine’s Day.
  • Other treats that I like to gift right along with this brittle: Almond Roca Brittle, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles, and Crockpot Triple Chocolate Peanut Candy

A close up, overhead picture of peanut brittle.

Cook’s Tools:

  • baking sheet
  • medium saucepan
  • whisk
  • candy thermometer
  • storage container                   
The best peanut brittle recipe with recipe variations
4.79 from 14 votes

Beth's Peanut Brittle Recipe + Recipe Video!

Author Beth, my fabulous sister-in-law
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
16 people
This classic Peanut Brittle recipe is easy to make and great for gift giving year-round. It’s buttery, airy, and oh so addicting!

Equipment

  • baking sheet
  • medium saucepan
  • whisk
  • candy thermometer
  • storage container

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 cups salted peanuts
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 Tablespoons salted butter softened
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda

Instructions

  • Butter a cookie sheet and set aside.
  • In a heavy 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat stir together the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Constantly stir the mixture until it reaches 285 degrees F on a candy thermometer.
  • Take the pan off the heat and stir in the peanuts and butter. Place the pan back on the heat and stir constantly until the mixture reaches 295 degrees F.
  • Moving quickly, take the pan off the heat and stir in the vanilla and baking soda. Pour the mixture into your prepared cookie sheet and let it sit until set, about 30 minutes.
  • Break the brittle into pieces and store in an airtight Ziploc bag or container.

Video

Notes

This makes 5-6 cups of brittle. 

Nutrition

Calories: 283kcal | Carbohydrates: 44.6g | Protein: 5.17g | Fat: 11.21g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 268mg | Potassium: 144mg | Fiber: 1.6g | Sugar: 41.35g | Vitamin A: 150IU | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 0.4mg

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A picture collage of the finished brittle recipe with text overlay for Pinterest.

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17 Comments

  1. This looks SO good and I’m glad you made it clear that I must follow rules, use a candy thermometer, and real butter 🙂 I haven’t made candy but I’ll start here, thanks Jillian (and Beth!)

    1. You’re so welcome, enjoy!

  2. Leahann Johnson says:

    a friend here in Nebraska makes and sells about a ton of this at Christmas..at the Eagles club.. He uses this recipe and it turns out fantastic.. I forgot to buy a bag at Christmas and really missed it… (not that I need the extra sweets) but I think I may just try this and see how I come out with it.. I like to make fudges, divinity and other candies but have never tried it so with your encouragement I will try to accomplish a batch… love your recipes and so far have not had a mistake…

    1. Peanut Brittle is a Christmas classic! I hope you do give this recipe a try since you’re already so experienced with other candies!
      I’m so glad you love my recipes and thank you SO much for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment! 🙂

  3. Tracy Koslicki says:

    Awww thank you, Beth!! Peanut Brittle is one of my serious weaknesses and this looks PERFECT.

  4. I could dig right into that peanut brittle! It looks so fresh.

  5. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says:

    Peanut brittle is a huge favourite in our family – this looks super crunchy and delicious and would definitely make a fab Valentines gift!

  6. Helen of Fuss Free Flavours says:

    A great recipe for peanut butter brittle, so easy to make and so good to share. Tasty little bites of deliciousness.

  7. This would not last very long here. I am a very snacky kind of person and love peanuts!

  8. Jennifer Farnes says:

    I couldn’t get the video to work. Also, my mom used to make this with raw peanuts…the little Spanish kind. Have you ever done this?

  9. This recipe is the best!

  10. Carrie Robinson says:

    Such a classic sweet treat! I haven’t had peanut brittle in forever. 🙂

  11. Lisa Huff says:

    My husband LOVES peanut brittle and sadly I have never made it for him. His birthday is coming up so think I’ll give it a try!

  12. Sarah James says:

    Peanut Brittle is a favourite in our house, thanks for all the tips on how to make it. Really like the sound of crumbled bacon on the top.

  13. I loved this detailed tutorial for an all time classic and favorite. Simple ingredients and recipe.