Clean Eating Peanut Brittle Recipe (2024)

ByTiffany McCauley

Share on FacebookShare on PinterestShare on X (Twitter)Share on Reddit <use href="#<svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 32 32" class="scriptlesssocialsharing__icon flipboard" fill="currentcolor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" role="img"><title>flipboard</title><path d="M24.997 13.001h-5.998v5.998h-5.998v5.998h-5.998v-17.995h17.995zM1.004 1.004v29.991h29.991v-29.991z"></path></svg>" xlink:href="#flipboard"> Share on Flip it

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Use this recipe to learn how to make peanut brittle without corn syrup! Then, you can enjoy the old-fashioned candy without feeling guilty about the calories, sugar, and processed ingredients. It makes a great holiday food gift!

When I was a little girl, my grandma would make a similar homemade peanut brittle recipe every year for Halloween and Thanksgiving. It was a staple in her house and I looked forward to it all year long. She had an electric skillet she used and I loved digging it out for special occasions because I knew only something good and tasty would come from it.

Clean Eating Peanut Brittle Recipe (1)

While it’s definitely a once-in-a-while treat (it still has lots of sugar, even if it is honey), it’s a tradition I’m keeping alive for Mini Chef.

I just got an electric skillet for $20 off craigslist (don’t you just love craigslist???!!!) and we immediately got to work on this recipe. You don’t have to have an electric skillet for this, but it sure helps because you can set the temperature so easily. But again, totally not necessary.

There is no light corn syrup or processed white sugar to deal with. You can sprinkle on a little salt before putting it in the freezer if you like the sweet/salty thing.

About The Ingredients

Roasted, lightly salted peanuts – Make sure they are not sweetened.

Honey – Any honey will work here. Use what you have on hand or have access to.

Butter – Most recipes call for unsalted butter. But I’ve used salted butter here too, and I actually like it better. The choice is yours.

Baking soda – Make sure it’s on the fresher side. Old baking soda won’t do a very good job on this.

Pure vanilla extract – Do not use vanilla flavoring.

Clean Eating Peanut Brittle Recipe (2)

How To Make Peanut Brittle

  1. Prep your freezer so you have a place to set your cookie sheet. Remember, the bottom will be hot.
  2. Spread the peanuts out over a parchment-lined, rimmed baking sheet, spreading them out in an even, single layer.
  3. Using an electric skillet, large, stainless-steel pan, or 3-quart saucepan, heat the honey until it reaches 302 F. on a candy thermometer.
  4. Stir in the butter first, melting it completely and letting it come back to a soft boil over medium heat.
  5. Then stir in the baking soda and finally the vanilla (which will sizzle). You want to stir everything in pretty quickly. Don’t dawdle.
  6. Let it cook for about 30-60 more seconds to let everything combine well, stirring constantly.
  7. Pour the boiling syrup over the peanuts on the prepared baking sheet and using oven mitts, transfer the tray to your freezer for about 1 hour. It’s okay if it doesn’t reach the sides of the cookie pan. Just make the whole thing as level as you can.
  8. Make sure you can lift the brittle out of the pan after freezing. Loosen the edges if needed. Break into pieces of an appropriate size and store in a zipper-top bag in the freezer until you are ready to eat.

Recipe Notes And Tips

  1. The first batch we tried didn’t get hard enough and was pretty sticky. But the issue was that I tried to make it without using a candy thermometer and that did not work out so well. I also heated the honey to the temp in the recipe I adapted from (275 F.), and it just didn’t do the trick. Maybe it was my cooking method or a difference in altitude or any other number of things. It’s hard to say. So the second time around, I took the temp up to 302 F. (hard crack stage) using a candy thermometer and it did much better.
  2. Please know that the parchment paper called for is an absolute necessity unless you want to scrape hard candy off your cookie sheet for an hour or two, or waste the whole thing by soaking it off. So don’t skip that!

Recipe Supplies

Clean Eating Peanut Brittle Recipe (3)
Clean Eating Peanut Brittle Recipe (4)
Clean Eating Peanut Brittle Recipe (5)
Clean Eating Peanut Brittle Recipe (6)

More Naturally Sweetened Candy Recipes

  • Naturally Sweetened Peanut Butter Cups
  • Chocolate Turtles
  • Easy Homemade Marzipan
  • Homemade Chocolate Bars

Peanut Brittle Recipe W/Out Corn Syrup

Recipe adapted from The Nerdy Farm Wife.

Clean Eating Peanut Brittle Recipe (8)

Peanut Brittle Recipe without Corn Syrup

I make this once a year, and once a year, I suddenly have long lost friends who track me down. ThisClean Eating Peanut Brittle Recipe is absolutely perfect for the season.

4.56 from 9 votes

Print Pin Rate Add to Collection

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Calories: 6976kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. roasted, lightly salted peanuts
  • 3 cups honey
  • ¾ cup good quality butter
  • 2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Prep your freezer so you have a place to set your cookie sheet. Remember, the bottom will be hot.

  • Spread the peanuts out over a parchment-lined, rimmed baking sheet, spreading them out in an even, single layer.

  • Using an electric skillet, large, stainless-steel pan, or 3-quart saucepan, heat the honey until it reaches 302 F. on a candy thermometer.

  • Stir in the butter first, melting it completely and letting it come back to a soft boil over medium heat.

  • Then stir in the baking soda and finally the vanilla (which will sizzle). You want to stir everything in pretty quickly. Don’t dawdle.

  • Let it cook for about 30-60 more seconds to let everything combine well, stirring constantly.

  • Pour the boiling syrup over the peanuts on the prepared baking sheet and using oven mitts, transfer the tray to your freezer for about 1 hour. It’s okay if it doesn’t reach the sides of the cookie pan. Just make the whole thing as level as you can.

  • Make sure you can lift the brittle out of the pan after freezing. Loosen the edges if needed. Break into pieces of an appropriate size and store in a zipper-top bag in the freezer until you are ready to eat.

Notes

Nutrition data given is for the entire recipe. This recipe makes quite a bit and you’ll be breaking the brittle into small pieces. So don’t panic. Divide the data by the number of pieces you break this into.

Nutrition

Serving: 1entire recipe | Calories: 6976kcal | Carbohydrates: 919g | Protein: 132g | Fat: 361g | Saturated Fat: 122g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 82g | Monounsaturated Fat: 136g | Trans Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 366mg | Sodium: 5289mg | Potassium: 4109mg | Fiber: 42g | Sugar: 837g | Vitamin A: 4255IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 557mg | Iron: 15mg

Recipe from the Gracious Pantry archives, originally posted 12/7/15.

Share on FacebookShare on PinterestShare on X (Twitter)Share on Reddit <use href="#<svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 32 32" class="scriptlesssocialsharing__icon flipboard" fill="currentcolor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" role="img"><title>flipboard</title><path d="M24.997 13.001h-5.998v5.998h-5.998v5.998h-5.998v-17.995h17.995zM1.004 1.004v29.991h29.991v-29.991z"></path></svg>" xlink:href="#flipboard"> Share on Flip it
Clean Eating Peanut Brittle Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is peanut brittle good for health? ›

We call this Healthy Peanut Brittle a treat food. It's a little bit naughty because it's sweet – it uses some 100% maple syrup, but it's also good because it includes good fats from coconut oil and protein from peanut butter. You only need 1-2 pieces and your body will know you don't need anymore.

Can you eat peanut butter on clean eating? ›

Nuts and Seeds: Choose plain, raw, roasted or salted nuts but skip most other flavors (like honey) as they contain added sugars. When choosing peanut butter, opt for brands with just two ingredients: peanuts and salt.

Why put baking soda in peanut brittle? ›

Baking soda is also very important at this stage since it reacts to the heat, creating carbon dioxide that aerates the caramel, enabling it to snap when someone bites into it rather than requiring them to gnaw at it until it breaks or pulls apart.

Are peanuts inflammatory? ›

Peanuts contain mostly mono- and polyunsaturated fats, which can help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol, and they are high in protein and fiber. Malik recommends eating peanuts with the skins intact, because they contain anti-inflammatory polyphenols.

Is there a downside to eating peanuts? ›

From inhibiting the absorption of other minerals such as iron, zinc, manganese and calcium, to wrecking your weight loss goals, to causing digestive issues, consuming too many peanuts can be bad for your overall health. Furthermore, those who are allergic to peanuts should refrain from eating it at all costs.

Are eggs considered clean eating? ›

Choose sustainably sourced seafood when possible. Eggs are a great choice—and don't skip the yolk, or you'll miss out on extra protein and nutrients not found in the egg whites. Nuts, seeds and beans are all fantastic choices for plant-based proteins. Just be sure to look for lower-sodium options when possible.

What foods should I avoid when clean eating? ›

The foods to avoid:
  • Overprocessed foods, especially white flour and sugar.
  • Artificial sweeteners.
  • Sugary beverages, such as soda and juice.
  • Alcohol.
  • Foods with chemical additives like food dyes and sodium nitrite.
  • Foods with preservatives.
  • Artificial foods, such as processed cheese slices.
  • Saturated fats and trans fats.
Apr 21, 2023

What does eating a spoonful of peanut butter everyday do? ›

The Bottom Line

In addition to peanut butter's healthy fat profile, it is also rich in antioxidants like vitamin E, which can be included in a diet for chronic disease prevention. In addition, despite the calorie density of peanut butter, it may actually help you reach your weight-loss goals.

Why do people put co*ke in peanuts? ›

The combination is believed to have developed in the South during the 1920s, as a snack for blue-collar workers that did not require them to wash their hands. It quickly became popular as a summer snack, especially in rural areas. The snack became an internet trend in 2018.

Why didn't my homemade peanut brittle get hard? ›

The main reason why peanut brittle doesn't get hard and have the crunch we expect is because the sugar was not cooked long enough. The sugar needs to be cooked to what is called the hard crack stage, 300ºF.

Should you refrigerate peanut brittle? ›

To store: Store peanut brittle (once it's completely cooled) in an airtight container at room temperature. Do not refrigerate as the moisture from the fridge will cause the brittle to soften. Store for 6-8 weeks. To freeze: Peanut brittle can be frozen and stored up to 3 months.

Why did my peanut brittle come out chewy? ›

Why did my peanut brittle turn out chewy? The likely cause is that the sugar mixture didn't reach the proper hard crack stage temperature. Ensuring it reaches 300˚F is key to getting that classic brittle texture.

What happens if you forget baking soda in peanut brittle? ›

Without the soda the candy is harder and has a much different mouth feel. Keep the soda.

What dissolves burnt sugar? ›

  1. Step 1: Fill the Pan with Baking Soda, Ample Water, and Vinegar. Fill the pan with water and vinegar just enough to cover the burnt sugar bits. ...
  2. Step 2: Let it Sit Overnight. Let the solution sit overnight. ...
  3. Step 3: Drain and Scrub. Drain the solution, but don't rinse the pan. ...
  4. Step 4: Wash as Normal. ...
  5. Step 5: Rinse and Repeat.

Which type of peanut is healthiest? ›

For their optimal health benefits, choose raw peanuts with the skin on. Raw peanuts with their skin on are high in cell-defending antioxidants. Roasted, salted peanuts are high in sodium, which health professionals link to heart disease. That said, eating roasted, salted peanuts as part of a balanced diet is okay.

Is broken peanuts good for health? ›

Raw broken peanuts can be put in a container and needs refrigeration storage. It has a shelf life of around 5-6 days. l Peanuts, being a legume is rich in nutrients and provides immense health benefits.

Are peanuts an unhealthy snack? ›

Though they might seem high in calories, nuts—including peanuts—are a great snack if you are trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. The combination of protein, fiber and healthy fats found in peanuts can help keep you feeling full and satisfied between meals.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Madonna Wisozk

Last Updated:

Views: 6341

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Madonna Wisozk

Birthday: 2001-02-23

Address: 656 Gerhold Summit, Sidneyberg, FL 78179-2512

Phone: +6742282696652

Job: Customer Banking Liaison

Hobby: Flower arranging, Yo-yoing, Tai chi, Rowing, Macrame, Urban exploration, Knife making

Introduction: My name is Madonna Wisozk, I am a attractive, healthy, thoughtful, faithful, open, vivacious, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.