The Best Peanut Brittle

Article by Emily Saladino

Food Network Kitchen’s best peanut brittle recipe is equal-parts sweet and salty and has the perfect crunch and sheen. With the right technique, equipment and a little patience, you’ll be making this old-timey, nostalgic American treat, and everyone will be asking how you did it. Here, everything you need to know about homemade peanut brittle, according to our recipe developers.

How to Make Peanut Brittle Like a Pro

Candy-making can be intimidating—all those high temperatures and sticky syrups—but making peanut brittle is a snap thanks to Food Network Kitchen’s step-by-step tips.

Prepare the baking sheet first. You’ll need to move fast once you combine the peanut brittle ingredients, so line the sheet pan with aluminum foil and grease it generously with cooking spray before you do anything else.

The best peanuts for peanut brittle are roasted and salted. Roasted peanuts maintain their structure and texture when you pour hot syrup on them. Meanwhile, salt is the perfect foil for the sweet candy.

Be patient—and use a deep-fry or candy thermometer. For the peanut brittle to set properly, the sugar, water and corn syrup need to boil on the stovetop for approximately 15 minutes, or until they hit 340 degrees F. The exact temperature is necessary for the brittle to come together, so our recipe developers suggest using a candy thermometer to monitor your progress.

Remove the pan from the heat and work quickly. Once your sugar syrup comes to temperature, put the saucepan on a wire rack or trivet on the counter so it doesn’t continue cooking from the stovetop’s residual heat. Stir in the butter and baking soda followed by the peanuts right away so the mixture doesn’t harden in the pot, then quickly spread it onto your prepared baking sheet.

Mix and spread the candy with a silicone spatula. It’s the right tool for the job: the smooth surface of a silicone spatula doesn’t absorb any fats and is easier to clean than wooden spoons.

Give the brittle time to set. This peanut brittle recipe needs to harden completely on the baking sheet before you break it into pieces and dig in. The exact amount of time depends on the temperature and humidity of your home, but plan to let it sit for at least an hour.

How Long Does Peanut Brittle Last?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, this peanut brittle recipe will last for 1 to 2 months. Our recipe developers don’t advise keeping it in the fridge because the moisture inside it will cause the candy to lose its crunch more quickly.