11 Brittle Peanut Brittle Recipes for Crunch

There’s something irresistibly nostalgic about the snap-crackle-pop of peanut brittle shattering between your teeth. I remember as a kid, huddled in my grandma’s cozy kitchen during holiday seasons, watching her stir bubbling sugar syrup over the stove. The air filled with that intoxicating caramel scent, and we’d sneak bites of the still-warm, golden shards. Those memories sparked my lifelong love for this crunchy treat, and now as a food blogger, I’ve made it my mission to reinvent it.

Lately, I’ve been on a brittle binge in my own kitchen, experimenting with bold twists to elevate the classic. From spicy kicks to unexpected pairings like bacon or chocolate, these trials have yielded some game-changers. In a world craving quick, satisfying snacks that pack crunch and flavor, peanut brittle shines—gluten-free, customizable, and perfect for gifting or mindless munching.

Classic Homemade Peanut Brittle

This timeless recipe captures the pure essence of peanut brittle with its buttery caramel base and roasted peanuts. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup light corn syrup, 1 cup roasted peanuts, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 tbsp butter. Melt sugar and corn syrup in a saucepan over medium heat until golden (about 10 minutes), stir in peanuts, then remove from heat to add baking soda, vanilla, and butter for that airy crunch. Pour onto a greased baking sheet, cool, and break into pieces. It’s naturally gluten-free, provides a quick energy boost from nuts and sugar, and stores for weeks.

The simplicity makes it foolproof for beginners, delivering that addictive shatter every time.

Spicy Chili Peanut Brittle

Kick up the heat with this fiery version that balances sweet caramel with a cayenne zing. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, 1 cup peanuts, 1 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp cayenne, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 tbsp butter. Cook sugar and syrup to amber stage, mix in peanuts and spices off heat, then foam up with baking soda and butter before spreading thin. Cool and snap. The capsaicin adds metabolism-boosting benefits, while peanuts offer heart-healthy fats—perfect for adventurous snackers.

This brittle wakes up your taste buds, ideal for pairing with cheese or as a cocktail garnish.

Chocolate-Drizzled Peanut Brittle

Indulge in decadence by drizzling melted dark chocolate over classic brittle for a candy-bar vibe. Ingredients: Base as classic (1 cup sugar, etc.), plus 4 oz dark chocolate, melted. Prepare brittle as usual, cool slightly, then drizzle with chocolate and chill. The combo of caramel, nuts, and chocolate provides antioxidants from cocoa and sustained energy from peanuts.

It’s a crowd-pleaser for parties, transforming simple brittle into gourmet treats.

Sea Salt & Peanuts Brittle

Elevate with flaky sea salt for a sweet-salty contrast that modernizes the classic. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, 1 cup peanuts, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 tbsp butter, 1 tsp sea salt. Caramelize sugar-syrup, add peanuts, foam with soda-butter-salt, and spread. The salt enhances flavors, balances sweetness, and peanuts deliver protein for satiety.

Great for low-carb diets, this one’s my go-to for elegant gifting.

Maple Syrup Peanut Brittle

Swap corn syrup for pure maple for a natural, woodsy sweetness. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup maple syrup, 1 cup peanuts, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 tbsp butter. Boil sugar-maple to 300°F, stir in peanuts, then add vanilla-soda-butter for lift. Pour and break. Maple’s antioxidants and minerals pair with peanuts for a nutrient-dense crunch.

Cozy and autumnal, it’s healthier without refined syrups.

Coconut Peanut Brittle

Tropical twist with toasted coconut flakes for extra texture and chew. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, ¾ cup peanuts, ½ cup coconut flakes, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 tbsp butter. Cook sugar-syrup, toast coconut separately, combine with peanuts, foam, and spread. Coconut adds fiber and MCTs for energy, complementing peanuts’ protein.

Beach-vibe snack that’s vegan-friendly and irresistible.

Honey Roasted Peanut Brittle

Use honey-roasted peanuts and a honey swirl for floral depth. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ¼ cup honey, ¼ cup corn syrup, 1 cup honey-roasted peanuts, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 tbsp butter. Simmer to caramel, mix nuts, aerate, and cool. Honey’s antibacterial properties plus roasted nuts boost immunity and satisfaction.

Perfect for cozy nights, with a gourmet honey upgrade.

Bacon Peanut Brittle

Savory-smoky umami from crispy bacon bits in sweet brittle. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, 1 cup peanuts, ½ cup crumbled cooked bacon, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 tbsp butter. Caramelize, add peanuts-bacon, foam, spread. Protein-packed from bacon and peanuts, it’s a keto dream with bold flavor.

Game-day must-have for that sweet-salty-smoky hit.

Pumpkin Spice Peanut Brittle

Fall flavors shine with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in this seasonal stunner. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, 1 cup peanuts, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 tbsp butter. Cook to amber, blend spice-peanuts, lift with soda-butter. Spices aid digestion, peanuts add crunch—cozy health in every bite.

Pumpkin season essential for lattes or gifts.

Almond-Peanut Brittle Fusion

Mix peanuts with almonds for double-nut crunch and variety. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, ½ cup peanuts, ½ cup almonds, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 tbsp butter, 1 tsp almond extract. Boil syrup, toast nuts, combine and foam. Diverse nuts provide varied nutrients like vitamin E for skin health.

Nut lovers’ delight, more sophisticated than single-nut.

Vegan Dark Chocolate Peanut Brittle

Plant-based bliss with coconut oil and dairy-free chocolate. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup maple syrup, 1 cup peanuts, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 tbsp coconut oil, 4 oz vegan chocolate. Caramelize, add nuts-oil-soda, drizzle chocolate post-cool. Fully vegan, with anti-inflammatory benefits from dark chocolate and nuts.

Inclusive treat for all diets, sinfully crunchy.

These 11 peanut brittle recipes prove that crunch can be endlessly creative—sweet, spicy, savory, or seasonal. Grab your candy thermometer, unleash your inner candymaker, and treat yourself (or loved ones) to these shatteringly good delights today!