12 Crunchy Peanut Brittle Recipes

The irresistible snap of peanut brittle takes me back to my childhood holidays, when my grandmother would pull out her copper pot and transform simple sugar, peanuts, and a pinch of baking soda into golden shards of crunchy perfection. We’d huddle around the kitchen counter, sneaking bites while it cooled, the nutty aroma filling the house like a warm embrace. Those memories fueled my recent kitchen experiments—tinkering with flavors like chili heat and sea salt to elevate this classic treat beyond nostalgia.

In today’s fast-paced world, peanut brittle isn’t just a candy; it’s a versatile, gluten-free snack that’s perfect for gifting, movie nights, or a quick energy boost. With rising interest in homemade sweets amid store-bought sugar overload, I’ve curated these 12 crunchy variations that keep the traditional crackle while adding modern twists. Whether you’re a brittle beginner or a seasoned shatterer, these recipes prove it’s easier than ever to make your own.

Classic Crunchy Peanut Brittle

This timeless recipe captures the pure essence of peanut brittle with its buttery caramel base and roasted peanuts for maximum crunch. Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ cup light corn syrup, 1 cup roasted peanuts, 1 tsp butter, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp vanilla extract.
Heat sugar and corn syrup in a saucepan over medium heat until dissolved and golden (about 10 minutes), stir in peanuts, cook 2-3 more minutes to 300°F. Remove from heat, quickly mix in butter, baking soda, and vanilla for that signature foam. Pour onto a greased baking sheet, cool, and break into pieces. It’s naturally gluten-free, stores for weeks, and delivers a satisfying crunch without artificial additives.

Spicy Chili Peanut Brittle

Kick up the heat with a Southwestern twist—roasted peanuts meet fiery chili for an addictive sweet-spicy crunch. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, 1 cup peanuts, 1-2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp cayenne, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tbsp butter.
Boil sugar and corn syrup to amber (10 mins), add peanuts and spices, cook to 300°F. Off heat, stir in baking soda and butter, spread thin on parchment, and snap after cooling. The capsaicin boosts metabolism for a guilt-free indulgence, pairing perfectly with cheese or cocktails.

Sea Salt Chocolate Peanut Brittle

Indulge in gourmet vibes with dark chocolate drizzle and flaky sea salt balancing the caramel crunch. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, 1 cup peanuts, 1 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ cup melted dark chocolate.
Cook sugar-corn syrup to 300°F with peanuts, add baking soda and half the salt, pour and cool. Drizzle with chocolate and sprinkle remaining salt. Antioxidants from dark chocolate make it a smarter sweet treat, ideal for holiday platters.

Maple Roasted Peanut Brittle

Swap corn syrup for pure maple syrup in this autumnal upgrade, yielding deeper flavor and epic crunch. Ingredients: ¾ cup sugar, ¼ cup maple syrup, 1 cup peanuts, 1 tsp butter, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ tsp cinnamon.
Simmer sugar and maple to golden, toss in peanuts and cinnamon, hit 300°F. Stir in butter and soda, spread, and break. Natural maple provides antioxidants and a lower glycemic index than refined sugars.

Coconut Crunch Peanut Brittle

Tropical paradise in every bite—toasted coconut adds chew contrasting the peanut snap. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, ¾ cup peanuts, ½ cup shredded coconut, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp coconut extract.
Boil sugar-syrup, stir in peanuts and coconut mid-cook to 300°F, foam with baking soda and extract, cool thin. Fiber-rich coconut promotes satiety, turning this into a satisfying snack.

Bacon Maple Peanut Brittle

Savory-sweet perfection: crispy bacon bits elevate peanuts in this brunch-worthy brittle. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, 1 cup peanuts, ½ cup crumbled cooked bacon, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 tbsp maple syrup.
Cook sugar-corn syrup to 300°F with peanuts and bacon, add baking soda and maple, pour out. Protein from bacon makes it more filling than standard candy.

Honey Roasted Peanut Brittle

Golden honey lends floral notes and extra stickiness to this naturally sweetened crunch bomb. Ingredients: ½ cup sugar, ½ cup honey, 1 cup peanuts, 1 tsp butter, 1 tsp baking soda, pinch of salt.
Heat sugar-honey to amber, add peanuts, cook to 300°F, incorporate butter-soda, shatter after cooling. Honey’s enzymes aid digestion for a wholesome treat.

Coffee Infused Peanut Brittle

Bold espresso kick for coffee lovers—pairs peanuts with caffeinated caramel crunch. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, 1 cup peanuts, 2 tsp instant coffee, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp vanilla.
Dissolve coffee in hot syrup-sugar mix, cook with peanuts to 300°F, foam and pour. Caffeine provides a pick-me-up without the crash.

Pumpkin Spice Peanut Brittle

Fall flavors explode: cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg make this a seasonal crunchy delight. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, 1 cup peanuts, 1 tsp pumpkin spice, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tbsp pumpkin puree.
Boil syrup with puree and spice, add peanuts to 300°F, soda stir, cool. Spices support immunity for cozy snacking.

Almond-Peanut Crunchy Brittle

Double nut power: almonds and peanuts for varied texture and nutty depth. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, ½ cup peanuts + ½ cup almonds, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp almond extract.
Toast nuts lightly, cook syrup with them to 300°F, add soda-extract, break. Heart-healthy fats from mixed nuts boost benefits.

Lavender Honey Peanut Brittle

Delicate floral infusion from lavender honey for an elegant, crunchy twist. Ingredients: ¾ cup sugar, ¼ cup lavender honey, 1 cup peanuts, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ tsp dried lavender.
Simmer with lavender, add peanuts to 300°F, foam and set. Lavender calms while honey soothes—stress-relief snack.

Sriracha Salted Peanut Brittle

Asian fusion heat: sriracha and peanuts for bold, crunchy umami. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, 1 cup peanuts, 1 tbsp sriracha, 1 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp baking soda.
Mix sriracha into hot syrup-sugar, cook peanuts to 300°F, add salt-soda, snap. Probiotics in sriracha aid gut health.

There you have it—12 ways to master crunchy peanut brittle that’ll shatter your expectations (and your teeth—in the best way)! Grab your candy thermometer, rally the family, and dive into these recipes for homemade joy that beats any store shelf. Which one will you shatter first? Share your snaps in the comments!