Easy Chocolate Peanut Clusters
Chocolate covered peanut clusters are a classic Christmas candy that's so easy to make! You only need 2 ingredients, and they can be made on the stove top or in the microwave in 15 minutes.
I think I've seen peanut clusters at every Christmas party I've ever been to. And frankly, it's not hard to see why – it's a super easy dessert that can be made in bulk for a crowd.
There's something about how simple the recipe is that makes it special, you know? No crazy preparation, no wild ingredients, no intricate flavors. Just good ol' chocolate and peanuts!
Ingredients for peanut clusters
I wasn't kidding when I said this is a two ingredient recipe!
- Chocolate chips – your choice of dark chocolate, semisweet chocolate or milk chocolate.
- Peanuts – I like to use unsalted peanuts so that I can control the amount of salt in the finished product, but if you want to use salted, go nuts. Get it? Go nuts? You get it.
How to make peanut clusters
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper, wax paper or a nonstick silicone mat. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, stir chocolate frequently until melted and smooth.
- Turn off heat, add peanuts and stir to completely coat and combine.
- Use a small cookie scoop (1 1/2 tablespoons) to scoop mounds of the chocolate peanut mixture onto prepared baking sheet.
- If desired, top with sprinkle of flake sea salt. Let set completely on baking sheet.
How to make peanut clusters in the microwave
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper, wax paper or a nonstick silicone mat. Set aside.
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate in 15-30 second increments, stirring between each until melted and smooth.
- Add peanuts and stir to completely coat and combine.
- Use a small cookie scoop (1 1/2 tablespoons) to scoop mounds of the chocolate peanut mixture onto prepared baking sheet.
- If desired, top with sprinkle of flake sea salt. Let set completely on baking sheet.
How to store peanut clusters
Once the peanut clusters are fully cooled and set, store peanut clusters in an airtight container in the fridge stacked between layers of parchment paper so they don't stick together for up to 1 month.
You can also freeze them for up to 3 months – just let thaw in the fridge before serving or consuming.
Variations
- Add a tablespoon of creamy peanut butter to the chocolate when you're melting it on the stovetop. You could also swap up to half the chocolate chips for peanut butter chips. It makes the clusters a little softer, and gives it a great extra punch of peanut butter flavor!
- Add a drizzle of white chocolate while they're setting on the baking sheet.
- Top with sprinkles for a little extra jazz and pizazz.
- Add mini marshmallows to the mixture when you're combining the peanuts and chocolate.
More Chocolate Snacks
- Chocolate pomegranate clusters are a delightful, juice snack
- If you can get your hands on fresh figs, chocolate-covered figs are another winner
- Try some easy peppermint bark for a festive crunch
- Homemade turtle candy is a chewy delight as well
FAQs
In a medium microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate in 15-30 second increments, stirring between each until melted and smooth. Add peanuts and stir to completely coat and combine. Follow the rest of the recipe as written.
Your choice of dark chocolate, semisweet chocolate or milk chocolate.
I like to use unsalted peanuts so that I can control the amount of salt in the finished product, but if you want to use salted, go nuts. Get it? Go nuts? You get it.
Not a problem! You can just a 1 tablespoon measuring spoon.
Once the peanut clusters are fully cooled and set, store peanut clusters in an airtight container in the fridge stacked between layers of parchment paper so they don't stick together for up to 1 month.
You can freeze them for up to 3 months – just let thaw in the fridge before serving or consuming.
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Easy 2-Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Clusters
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups chocolate chips, dark, semisweet or milk chocolate
- 1 cup peanuts, unsalted
- Maldon flake salt, optional
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper, wax paper or a nonstick silicone mat. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, stir chocolate frequently until melted and smooth.2 cups chocolate chips
- Turn off heat, add peanuts and stir to completely coat and combine.1 cup peanuts
- Use a small cookie scoop (1 1/2 tablespoons) to scoop mounds of the chocolate peanut mixture onto prepared baking sheet. If desired, top with sprinkle of flake sea salt. Let set completely on baking sheet. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Add a tablespoon of creamy peanut butter to the chocolate when you're melting it on the stovetop. You could also swap up to half the chocolate chips for peanut butter chips. It makes the clusters a little softer, and gives it a great extra punch of peanut butter flavor!
- Add a drizzle of white chocolate while they're setting on the baking sheet.
- Top with sprinkles for a little extra jazz and pizazz.
- Add mini marshmallows to the mixture when you're combining the peanuts and chocolate.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Disclaimer
The provided nutrition information is generated by an automatic API and does not take variations across specific brands into account. This information is provided as a general guideline and should not be treated as official calculations. Learn more here.