Peanut Brittle — Ad-Free Recipe, Ingredients First

Brittle is a hard-crack candy, so cook the syrup to 300F exactly or it stays chewy instead of snapping. Baking soda stirred in at the end foams the caramel so it spreads thin and light rather than dense and tooth-cracking.

The Ingredients — and where to get them

Cook for 1 pound

Peanuts

Roasted, salted peanuts stirred in near the end so they toast without burning.

1 1/2 cups

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Sugar

The bulk of the caramel; cooks to a deep amber.

1 1/2 cups

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Butter

Stirred in for flavor and to keep the brittle from sticking hard.

2 tbsp

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Baking soda

A spoonful foams the caramel so it sets thin and light.

1 tsp

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Corn syrup

Keeps the caramel smooth and stops it from crystallizing.

1/2 cup

Local / market

The Rundown

Greedometer ●●●●● A fair little treat

A reasonable little indulgence.

EffortSome doing

Cook it with

Air fryerSheet pan

The Method

Start the syrupBoil the sugar, corn syrup, and a splash of water, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
Cook to hard-crackCook without stirring to 300F hard-crack on a candy thermometer, until it turns deep amber.
Add peanuts and sodaStir in the peanuts and butter, then the baking soda, which foams the caramel up light.
Spread thinPour onto a greased sheet and spread thin fast before it sets, then cool and break into shards.

The Toolkit

Heavy saucepan · Candy thermometer · Sheet pan · Silicone mat · Wooden spoon

Straight Answers

Can you make Peanut Brittle in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — this is exactly what an air fryer does well. Work in a single layer so the air can move, and shake or flip halfway for even crisping. It runs a touch faster than the oven, so check early.

Can you freeze Peanut Brittle? — Yes

Yes — freeze it well-wrapped, then reheat or toast straight from frozen. Frost or glaze after thawing.

Can you make Peanut Brittle ahead of time? — Prep ahead

Best fried to order — the crunch fades if it sits. Do the breading or shaping ahead and cook it fresh when you serve.

Is Peanut Brittle gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is Peanut Brittle vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.696

Peanut Brittle, and where to source it