13 Crunchy Peanut Brittle Recipes

There’s something magical about the snap of peanut brittle between your teeth—the perfect blend of sweet, salty crunch that transports me straight back to my childhood holidays. I remember sneaking pieces from my grandma’s kitchen counter, where she’d stir bubbling sugar syrup over the stove, filling the house with that irresistible caramel aroma. Those shards of golden brittle, studded with roasted peanuts, were our family’s go-to treat, wrapped in wax paper for school lunches or gifted to neighbors.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting in my own kitchen, tweaking the classic formula with bold twists like spicy chilies and exotic nuts. In a world obsessed with chewy candies and soft chocolates, crunchy peanut brittle stands out as a nostalgic powerhouse—naturally gluten-free, endlessly customizable, and a satisfying snack that pairs perfectly with coffee or ice cream. Whether you’re a brittle beginner or a seasoned sweet tooth, these 13 recipes will have you shattering expectations (literally)!

Classic Crunchy Peanut Brittle

This timeless recipe is the foundation of all peanut brittle lovers’ dreams, delivering that pure, shatteringly crisp texture with roasted peanuts suspended in golden caramel. Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ cup light corn syrup, ¼ cup water, 1 cup roasted peanuts, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp vanilla extract, pinch of salt.
Heat sugar, corn syrup, and water in a saucepan over medium-high until it reaches 300°F (hard crack stage). Stir in peanuts, then remove from heat and quickly mix in baking soda, vanilla, and salt for that airy crunch. Pour onto a greased baking sheet, stretch thin as it cools, and break into pieces. It’s naturally gluten-free, quick to make in under 30 minutes, and stores for weeks—perfect for gifting or mindless snacking.

Spicy Chili Peanut Brittle

Kick up the heat with this fiery twist, where cayenne and chili flakes add a smoky, addictive spice to the classic crunch, balancing sweet with a lingering burn. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, ¼ cup water, 1 cup peanuts, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp cayenne, ½ tsp smoked paprika.
Cook sugar mixture to 300°F, stir in peanuts and spices off-heat, then add baking soda for bubbles. Spread thin on a sheet and cool. The capsaicin boosts metabolism for a guilt-free indulgence, and the bold flavors make it a party hit that wakes up your taste buds.

Sea Salt Chocolate Peanut Brittle

Indulge in decadent layers of toffee-like brittle topped with melted dark chocolate and flaky sea salt for a sweet-salty crunch that’s impossibly addictive. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, ¼ cup water, 1 cup peanuts, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 cup melted dark chocolate, flaky sea salt.
Prepare brittle base as classic, pour onto sheet, cool slightly, then drizzle with chocolate and sprinkle salt. The chocolate adds antioxidants, while sea salt enhances flavors—ideal for a sophisticated dessert topping or standalone treat.

Coconut Peanut Brittle

Tropical vibes meet nutty crunch in this recipe, folding in toasted coconut for extra texture and a hint of paradise in every shatter. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, ¼ cup water, ¾ cup peanuts, ½ cup toasted coconut flakes, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp coconut extract.
Boil syrup to 300°F, mix in peanuts and coconut, aerate with baking soda, and spread. The coconut adds fiber and healthy fats, making this a nutrient-packed snack that’s perfect for beachy cravings year-round.

Maple Pecan Peanut Brittle

Swap corn syrup for pure maple syrup and add pecans for a nutty duo with rich, autumnal depth and that signature maple sweetness. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ¾ cup maple syrup, ¼ cup water, ½ cup peanuts, ½ cup pecans, 1 tsp baking soda, pinch of cinnamon.
Cook to hard crack stage, stir in nuts, add baking soda, and cool. Maple’s natural antioxidants and lower glycemic index make it a healthier brittle option, evoking cozy fall mornings.

Bacon Peanut Brittle

Savory meets sweet in this umami bomb, where crispy bacon bits elevate the crunch to bacon-lover’s heaven without overpowering the peanuts. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, ¼ cup water, 1 cup peanuts, ½ cup crumbled cooked bacon, 1 tsp baking soda, black pepper.
Reach 300°F, fold in peanuts and bacon, bubble with soda, and break apart. Bacon adds protein, turning this into a hearty snack that’s keto-friendly and irresistible at brunches.

Coffee Infused Peanut Brittle

Wake up your brittle game with espresso powder for a mocha-like depth, pairing perfectly with morning coffee for double caffeine crunch. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, ¼ cup water, 1 cup peanuts, 2 tbsp espresso powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp vanilla.
Dissolve espresso in hot syrup stage, add peanuts at 300°F, then soda. Caffeine perks you up, and the robust flavor makes it a sophisticated energy boost disguised as candy.

Pumpkin Spice Peanut Brittle

Fall in a bite: warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg transform brittle into a seasonal sensation with peanuts for crunch. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, ¼ cup water, 1 cup peanuts, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice.
Infuse spices during boiling to 300°F, mix peanuts and soda, spread thin. Spices offer anti-inflammatory benefits, making this a festive, feel-good treat for holidays.

Honey Roasted Peanut Brittle

Extra-sticky sweetness from honey highlights the roasted peanuts’ natural flavor, creating a deeper caramel crunch. Ingredients: ¾ cup sugar, ¼ cup honey, ½ cup corn syrup, ¼ cup water, 1 cup roasted peanuts, 1 tsp baking soda.
Blend honeys to 300°F, add peanuts and soda for lift. Honey’s antioxidants promote health, and this version is naturally sweeter with less refined sugar.

Almond Peanut Brittle Duo

A nutty symphony with almonds and peanuts for varied crunch sizes and flavors in one shatterproof sheet. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, ¼ cup water, ½ cup peanuts, ½ cup slivered almonds, 1 tsp baking soda, almond extract.
Toast almonds lightly, cook syrup to 300°F, combine nuts and soda. Dual nuts boost vitamin E for skin health, offering textural excitement in every piece.

Dark Chocolate Swirl Peanut Brittle

Swirls of rich dark chocolate woven through brittle for a gourmet look and intense cocoa-peanut harmony. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, ¼ cup water, 1 cup peanuts, 1 tsp baking soda, ¾ cup melted dark chocolate.
Make brittle, swirl chocolate on top before full cooling. Dark chocolate’s flavonoids support heart health, elevating this to dessert status.

Vegan Peanut Brittle

Plant-based perfection using agave and coconut oil for a guilt-free, dairy-free crunch that rivals the original. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup agave nectar, ¼ cup water, 1 cup peanuts, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp coconut oil.
Boil to 300°F (vegan thermometer check), add peanuts, oil, and soda. Fully vegan with no animal products, it’s inclusive and packed with nut protein.

Sesame Peanut Brittle

Nutty sesame seeds add toasty layers and extra crunch, inspired by Asian flavors for a worldly twist. Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, ½ cup corn syrup, ¼ cup water, ¾ cup peanuts, ¼ cup sesame seeds, 1 tsp baking soda, sesame oil dash.
Toast sesame, cook syrup to 300°F, mix all and soda. Sesame provides calcium and healthy fats, making this a crunchy, global snack upgrade.

These 13 crunchy peanut brittle recipes prove there’s a shatteringly delicious version for every mood and occasion—grab your candy thermometer, unleash your inner candy maker, and treat yourself (or loved ones) to homemade brittle that’ll become a new tradition!