Easy Spicy Peanut Brittle is a classic recipe that is the perfect combo of sweet and salty…and this one has a spicy kick! Easy steps and simple ingredients, make this candy recipe the perfect holiday candy gift idea!
I like things spicy. I like spicy pasta sauces. I like spicy Chinese food. I really like spicy Mexican food. Spicy candy is my new favorite addiction.
Spicy Peanut Brittle
It is so easy to make. Almost too easy. Now when I have my craving for some spicy crunchy candy, I will whip up a batch. It takes minutes! I was afraid it would be too spicy for my kids and that I would end up eating the whole thing. Apparently, they like spicy candy too! I completely forgot I had a brittle recipe on my blog. I was updating this Nutella Peanut Butter Fudge recipe and came across someone commenting about my brittle. So here it is!
This is a candy I will remember to make at Christmas time for gifts. School is almost out for most of you. If you aren't into spicy, you could leave out the spice, and it will still be an amazing peanut brittle!
What Kind of Peanuts Do You Use in Peanut Brittle?
I found that roasted, salted peanuts are the best peanut to use in a peanut brittle. We just love the sweet and salty combo! If you are trying to cut out salt, feel free to use unsalted roasted peanuts…the recipe will still be fantastic!
What temperature should you cook peanut brittle to?
It needs to hit the hard crack stage, which is between 295F and 309F.
How to make easy spicy peanut brittle-step by step
Spicy Brittle
recipe from Sugar Baby
makes about 1 1/2 lbs.
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 tsp. salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
3 cups salted, dry-roasted peanuts
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray the parchment paper with nonstick baking spray. In a large, heavy sauce pan over medium heat, combine the sugar, corn syrup, butter, salt and cayenne pepper. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
Clip a candy thermometer on the side of the pot and boil the mixture without stirring until the temperature reaches 300 F.
Immediately remove the pot from the heat. Sprinkle baking soda over the syrup and stir. The contents will bubble vigorously. Place the pan on the stove top over medium heat and watch as the sugar goes through several stages over the next 15-20 minutes. First the sugar will dissolve, then it will turn into a clear sugar syrup and bubble like crazy, then the sugar syrup will eventually take on a clearish golden amber color, and cook to 300 degrees F, the hard crack stage.
After the mixture has reached 300 degrees F, add the peanut mixture (the mixture will foam), and stir it all together to distribute the ingredients .
Quickly poor mixture evenly onto parchment lined sheet pan. Spray a spatula with nonstick baking spray and spread the brittle in the pan while it is still warm. It will be very sticky and you may not spread it that much. That is just fine. Be sure to not leave the peanut brittle uncovered, or it will absorb moisture from the air. You don't want a gummy peanut brittle. Let the brittle cool completely, about 15 minutes, then break it into pieces.
How long does easy spicy peanut brittle keep?
When it is stored in a dry place at room-temperature in an airtight container, it will keep for a couple weeks.
Is peanut brittle gluten free?
This particular recipe is, for sure!
Some other holiday recipe ideas:
Easy Spicy Peanut Brittle
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 3 cups salted dry-roasted peanuts
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray the parchment paper with nonstick baking spray. In a large, heavy sauce pan over medium heat, combine the sugar, corn syrup, butter, salt and cayenne pepper. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Clip a candy thermometer on the side of the pot and boil the mixture without stirring until the temperature reaches 300 F.
- Immediately remove the pot from the heat. Sprinkle baking soda over the syrup and stir. The contents will bubble vigorously.
- Place the pan on the stove top over medium heat and watch as the sugar goes through several stages over the next 15-20 minutes.
- First the sugar will dissolve, then it will turn into a clear sugar syrup and bubble like crazy, then the sugar syrup will eventually take on a clearish golden amber color, and cook to 300 degrees F, the hard crack stage.
- After the mixture has reached 300 degrees F, add the peanut mixture (the mixture will foam), and stir it all together to distribute the ingredients .
- Quickly poor mixture evenly onto parchment lined sheet pan. Spray a spatula with nonstick baking spray and spread the brittle in the pan while it is still warm.
- It will be very sticky and you may not spread it that much. That is just fine.
- Be sure to not leave the peanut brittle uncovered, or it will absorb moisture from the air. You don't want a gummy peanut brittle.
- Let the brittle cool completely, about 15 minutes, then break it into pieces.
Maris (In Good Taste) says
This brittle looks so fantastic! I imagine it must taste so good with that spicy kick!
Nisrine M. says
I like the idea of a spicy brittle as it is often too sweet and the spices will counteract that a bit. Brilliant!
Baking Serendipity says
My husband would love this! He is on such a spicy foods kick. I might leave the spice out for myself and make two recipes in one...depending on my mood 🙂
Renathe Schneider says
Looks good!
Lizzy says
I'm scared to try this as I know I'd love it!!! And the picky family might not. I may just have to do it...so tempting. And what a great idea for Christmas gifts...
Marnely Rodriguez says
Love the sweet/spicy combination. Mom just walked in and said she wanted to make it also! 🙂
claudia lamascolo says
I love the this! Its brillant to use cayenne I can just taste how that bit of spice will make this perfect!
kimmie says
Oh yum. I love spicy anything too - will definitely have to spice up my grandmother's peanut brittle recipe next time I give it a go!
Cassie @ Bake Your Day says
Love the idea of spicy sweets and I can't believe how few ingredients, looks and sounds wonderful!
wenderly says
Um YUM! I *love* spicy!....but THIS, this spicy & sweet treat looks divine!
The Vanilla Bean Baker says
What a unique twist on an old favourite treat! It certainly would make great gifts.
purabi naha says
Hi, we, in India, call it chikli. But it is never spicy! This recipe looks interesting and different. Shall give it a try.
Also, I am new to your blog. Loved it. Hope you'll also like mine!
Happy When Not Hungry says
Wow this brittle looks amazing!!! Would love some of this!
Claire Gallam says
Oh spicy brittle sounds amazing!
MikeVFMK says
I love brittle and I love spicy so this is the perfect marriage of goodness to me!
Aggie says
I like things spicy too 🙂 Spicy sweet is even better! This sounds awesome!
Erin says
Never tried spicy candy, but I love spicy everything else, so why not! Looks perfect!
Sandra says
Oh this sounds awesome Lora..never thought to add cayenne paper..fantastic idea!!! Looks heavenly!
Angela@RecipesFromMyMom says
I love red hots but that's the only candy with heat that I've tried. Your spicy brittle makes me very curious. Curiosity in the kitchen is always good.
Jennifurla says
what a great idea, I know so many people who love everything with spice who would LOVE this.
Gloria says
Love this,.look amazing! gloria
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
My dad loves peanut brittle and I know he'd absolutely love this! Thanks for sharing:-)
Sandra says
Hey Lora, I was thinking of you and wondering how you are. So glad to see you here again and especially with this yummy recipe.
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says
I am new to the spicy/sweet combo. This looks great. My SIL gave me some honey chipotle candy and I am addicted.
Roxana GreenGirl says
Oh, what a fun little treat. Love brittle but never thought of adding a pinch of cayenne to it. Thanks for sharing Lora
Lo-mo says
mmmmm....this looks fabulous! I adore the thought of some spice in my candy!
Liren says
Sweet, salty AND spicy? I need to make this, pronto!
Jessica @ How Sweet says
Oh my gosh - fabulous flavors!!
Lindsay @Eat, Knit, Grow says
Yum! And congrats on the top 9!!
Michelle Benoit (Chocolate Central) says
I love spicy too! And I get plenty living in a small mountain village in Mexico. Just made "huevos a la Mexicana" with jalapeno pepper this morning. Love brittle, but never tried a spicy brittle. Thanks for the recipe.
sensiblecooking says
You really are spicy. Who would have thought of spicy Brittle. I am a spicy lover like you so that means I will be whipping lot of these brittles.
Emily Malloy says
LOVE LOVE LOVE that it has a kick to it!
You rock my world!
Mari says
I would have never thought about adding cayenne pepper. Looks great!
A Thought For Food says
I'm a fan of sweet-spicy dishes... the combination is always so memorable.
Amy says
Lora this sounds delicious! I love peanut brittle already, but adding a spicy element is an awesome idea! Sweet, salty and spicy = delicious! Hope you have a wonderful week :)!
Reeni says
I love the idea of a spicy brittle! A little unexpected pop of flavor!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
Love that spicy sweet combination!
Angie's Recipes says
Me too, me too! I love things spicy and nutty! Those brittles are simply irresistible.
Lin Ann says
Congrats on Top 9! Love peanut brittle! It's something we made and ate a lot when I was growing up. And I think I would love, love, love it with this spicy twist!
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction says
I love the spicy and sweet combo... One of my favorites! This looks incredible. Can't wait to try it soon.
briarrose says
Fabulous candy. I do love a little spice and it is always such a pleasant surprise when I run across it in a yummy candy. 😉
blackbookkitchendiaries says
this looks so tempting and very addictive:) i just love the sounds of this! yum!
Anonymous says
How much baking soda? The recipe doesn't indicate this ingredient, but the photos do... looks awesome btw!
Elle says
I adore brittle! Add some spiciness to it, and I'm all over it!
Carolyn says
Oh yeah, I am with ya. Love the spicy sweet combo!
Matthew "mmwine" Horbund says
I like the idea. Especially because I love the spicy sweet combo! Trying it asap!
Magic of Spice says
I like spicy too and these look like a perfect treat 🙂
cookies and cups says
Omygoodness this sounds AMAZING!! Addictive and amazing 🙂
Preena @ A Teaspoon Of Turmeric says
Lovely this has a spicy bite - I love it!