12 Best Brittle Candies

By
Elizabeth LaBau
Sweet Book of Candy Making Elizabeth LaBau
Elizabeth LaBau
A professional pastry chef, cookbook author, and writer, Elizabeth LaBau has published more than 600 articles on baking and candy making.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 02/21/22

If you thought peanut brittle was the only brittle around, think again! Brittles, or thin and crispy sugar candies, can be made with peanuts, of course, but they're also delicious with other nuts like macadamia nuts, pecans or cashews. You can even omit the nuts entirely and use coconut instead! So grab your sugar and try one of these delicious brittle recipes today.

  • 01 of 09

    Peanut Honey Toffee

    peanut honey toffee
    Lisa Hubbard / Getty Images

    This is the classic brittle, the great-grandaddy of them all. Whole salted peanuts are held together in sweet, crunchy sugar candy. Hold on to your fillings and get ready for a sugar rush, because once you have a taste of this peanut honey toffee, an old-time favorite, it'll be hard to stop.

  • 02 of 09

    Salted Chocolate Peanut Brittle

    salted chocolate peanut brittle

    The Spruce / Elizabeth LaBau

    Salted chocolate peanut brittle is a delicious twist on old-fashioned peanut brittle. The familiar nutty treat is coated with a layer of chocolate and a hefty pinch of flaked sea salt. The sweet and salty combination is fantastic, and the rich chocolate contrasts nicely with the crunchy brittle.

  • 03 of 09

    Spicy Peanut Brittle

    Spicy Peanut Brittle
    Lartal / Photolibrary / Getty Images

    This spicy peanut brittle recipe improves upon a classic candy by adding a modern element from smoky, spicy chipotle chile powder. Tweak the level of heat to suit your tastes. The resulting candy is crunchy, nutty, sweet, and spicy— a terribly addictive snack.

  • 04 of 09

    Macadamia Nut Brittle

    Macadamia Nut Brittle

    Lauri Patterson / Getty Images

    You can make brittle out of any nut imaginable. This macadamia nut brittle recipe proves that there's plenty of room for creativity. Buttery, salty macadamia nuts are a natural pairing to the light and crisp brittle. 

    Continue to 5 of 9 below.
  • 05 of 09

    Coconut Brittle Recipe

    Coconut Brittle
    (c) 2011 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com, Inc.

    You can indeed make brittle without peanuts, and this version has no nuts at all. Not only is it possible, it's delicious! This coconut brittle recipe is packed with tropical toasted coconut flavor. It's great on its own, dipped in chocolate, or crumbled as a topping for cake, pudding, or ice cream.

  • 06 of 09

    Glass Peanut Brittle Recipe

    glass peanut brittle
    Elizabeth LaBau

    Glass peanut brittle recipe is a thin, translucent variation of traditional peanut brittle. We call this "glass brittle" because the peanuts are suspended in a beautiful, almost-clear brittle that has the appearance of glass. The presentation is extra eye-catching and surprising.

  • 07 of 09

    Vegan Peanut Brittle

    Cinnamon Peanut Brittle

    Allyson Kramer 

    Vegan peanut brittle is a wonderful treat to whip up any time of year and works well with the use of vegan margarine. This recipe offers so many variations. You can add cinnamon, sriracha, pumpkin pie spice, or almond flavor. The possibilities are endless.

  • 08 of 09

    Peanut Brittle With Honey Roasted Peanuts

    Peanut Brittle With Honey Roasted Peanuts
    Diana Rattray

    This peanut brittle with honey roasted peanuts is an extra sweet and nutty version of peanut brittle. You can thank the honey roasting process for that. Finely chopped peanuts are sprinkled over the peanut brittle before it hardens, adding lots of extra flavor and texture. 

    Continue to 9 of 9 below.
  • 09 of 09

    Crunchy Pistachio Brittle Recipe

    Pistachio Brittle
    Diana Rattray

    This buttery crunchy pistachio brittle recipe is a twist on a favorite. It's also an easy preparation and you can use salted or unsalted pistachios. Make it for gifts, or make it for a family treat.