Name: Sweet and Salty Peanut Brittle Crackers – An Easy No‑Bake Holiday Treat
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 40 buttery round crackers (like Ritz); 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed; 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; 3/4 cup salted peanuts, roughly chopped; Flaky sea salt (optional, for topping)

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

A crunchy, cheery treat of crackers coated in caramelised sugar, topped with peanuts and a sprinkle of sea salt—sweet, salty and totally snackable.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No‑bake or minimal bake recipes are always a win during busy holiday seasons. These crackers combine the irresistible flavour of peanut brittle with the practicality of tray‑ready snack bites. They offer contrasting textures (crisp cracker, chewy caramel, crunchy peanuts) and flavour balance (sweet + salty).

ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

plain crackers (e.g., saltine or water‑cracker type)
unsalted butter
brown sugar
light corn syrup or golden syrup
peanuts (roasted, salted)
sea salt flakes
optional: vanilla extract, chopped chocolate for drizzle

directions

Pre‑heat oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange crackers in a single layer covering the sheet.
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat and stir in brown sugar and corn syrup. Bring to a boil, and let it simmer for 3‑4 minutes until the mixture reaches a light caramel colour.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract if using.
Immediately pour caramel evenly over the crackers on the sheet, spreading with a spatula.
Sprinkle roasted peanuts over the top, pressing gently so they adhere. Sprinkle sea salt flakes evenly.
Bake in oven for 5‑7 minutes or until caramel is bubbling and golden.
Remove and let the sheet cool completely (about 30 minutes). Once set, break into pieces. If desired, drizzle melted chocolate over top before setting for extra dimension.

Servings and timing

Yields around 30 pieces, depending on size. Preparation time about 10 minutes, bake time 5‑7 minutes, plus ~30 minutes cooling.

Variations

Use mixed nuts (cashews, almonds, peanuts) for variety.
Replace chocolate drizzle with white chocolate or caramel drizzle.
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper in the caramel for a spicy kick.
Use graham crackers for a slightly sweeter base.

storage/reheating

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Keep dry to maintain crispness. No reheating required.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter?

Yes, but omit the sea salt flakes or reduce to avoid over‑salting.

Why did my caramel dissolve the crackers?

If caramel was poured while too fluid or the crackers were not strong enough, the crackers may become soggy. Use sturdy crackers and pour the caramel warm but thick.

How thick should the cracker‑caramel layer be?

Just enough to coat the crackers with a visible layer of caramel. Over‑thick can lead to overly sticky pieces.

Can I freeze the brittle?

It’s best stored at room temperature because freezing may introduce moisture which softens the brittle.

My pieces stuck together — how to avoid this?

Ensure the brittle is fully cooled and set before breaking and storing. Use parchment to separate layers.

Is this kosher/dairy‑free?

You could use dairy‑free butter substitute and ensure corn syrup is allowed in your diet.

Why did the caramel not set?

Possible causes: not cooked long enough, humid environment, or caramel layer too thin. Bake for the proper time and cool in a low‑humidity area.

Can I add chocolate chips under the caramel?

Yes — you could sprinkle chocolate chips over crackers first, then pour caramel on top so the chocolate melts and becomes a layer.

How do I make bite‑size pieces?

Once cooled, break into small shards (approx 2–3 inches) or cut into squares if you pre‑score the caramel layer before setting.

Is this safe for kids to help make?

Yes — but adult supervision required for handling hot caramel.

Conclusion

Sweet and Salty Peanut Brittle Crackers are a fun, flavorful, easy‑to‑make treat that delivers the sugary crunch of brittle with a cracker base for texture and rapid serving. Ideal for holiday snacking or gifting.

Sweet and Salty Peanut Brittle Crackers – An Easy No‑Bake Holiday Treat

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Sweet and Salty Peanut Brittle Crackers are a quick and easy no-bake holiday treat made with buttery crackers, caramel, melted chocolate, and crunchy peanuts. They combine sweet, salty, and crunchy elements for the perfect snack or edible gift.

Author: Emma Harper
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (including cooling)
Yield: 35–40 pieces 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

40 buttery round crackers (like Ritz)
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup salted peanuts, roughly chopped
Flaky sea salt (optional, for topping)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and arrange the crackers in a single layer, touching but not overlapping.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly.
Pour the hot caramel mixture evenly over the crackers and spread with a spatula to coat.
Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes to set the caramel.
Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle chocolate chips over the hot caramel. Let sit for 2 minutes to melt, then spread the chocolate evenly over the crackers.
Sprinkle chopped peanuts over the melted chocolate. Add a pinch of flaky sea salt if desired.
Let cool at room temperature or refrigerate for 1 hour until set.
Break into pieces and serve or package for gifting.