Indulgent yet simple, these peanut clusters are perfect for sharing with your loved ones for the holidays and any special event like birthday parties. These bite-sized treats are made of roasted salted peanuts coated with rich chocolate and peanut butter, providing that perfect blend of sweet and salty flavors.
All you need are four ingredients: dark chocolate chips, peanut butter, roasted salted peanuts, and salt. Whether you’re looking for an easy-to-make treat for movie nights or serve as a satisfying after-meal dessert, this sweet treat is a sure hit for all ages!
Nostalgic Sweet And Salty Peanut Clusters
This is a nostalgic recipe to me. I remember my grandma buying peanut clusters every holiday season to put in her candy dish. I wanted to recreate this old-fashioned candy myself so my grandkids could have the same memory.
If you want a sweet holiday treat for your guests, you need to include these easy chocolate peanut clusters in the menu list. You only need a few ingredients, like chocolate and peanuts, that you can easily find in your local supermarkets at a low price. In just 35 minutes, you’ll have a quick treat on the go or an indulgent dessert at a party.
The combination of smooth chocolate and crunchy, salted peanuts is simply divine. making this recipe a crowd-pleaser for every gathering. Pack them in decorated jars, and you’ll also have the perfect holiday gifts this Christmas.
For more easy desserts, check out my other recipes like No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies and Easy Rich No-Bake Cheesecake Cups.
Ingredients Needed
All you need are these basic ingredients to make the best peanut clusters.
- Dark chocolate chips: I prefer a deeper chocolate flavor, so I opt for dark chocolate chips with around 60-70% cocoa. Avoid brands that use artificial flavors, emulsifiers, and high amounts of additives. To ensure that the chocolate melts smoothly to the peanuts, choose regular or large-sized chips.
- Peanut butter: I like the smooth consistency of creamy peanut butter, as it blends well with the chocolate chips and roasted peanuts. You can choose natural peanut butter for the most natural flavor, but you need to stir constantly. If you don’t want the extra stirring effort, choose regular peanut butter.
- Peanuts: You’ll want roasted peanuts to achieve a deeper, richer flavor of your peanut clusters. Make sure that the peanuts are dry-roasted and not oil-roasted to prevent excessive greasiness. To balance the sweetness of the chocolate, pick the salted kind of roasted peanuts.
📝 Note: You can find the full recipe with ingredients and measurements in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Peanut Clusters
Just four steps, and you’ll have the ultimate snack for chocolate and peanut lovers.
Combine Chocolate With The Peanut Butter
- Add the chocolate chips and peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
Heat Until Smooth
- Microwave Method: Heat the chocolate and peanut butter in 30-second intervals at a low setting, stirring after each session, until the chocolate is fully melted.
- Double Boiler Method: Place the bowl of chocolate and peanut butter over a pot of hot water. Stir until the chocolate is fully melted.
Mix In The Peanuts
- Add the roasted salted peanuts into the bowl of melted chocolate and peanut butter.
- Gently stir until all the peanuts are fully coated with the chocolate mixture.
Form Clusters, Chill, And Serve
- With a spoon, scoop out clusters of chocolate-covered peanuts and drop into a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Add a bit of flaky salt and extra peanuts on top, if desired.
- Put the baking sheet of cluster peanuts in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to set.
- Serve and enjoy!
Gina’s Tips For Recipe Success
- If you want uniform clusters of chocolate-covered peanuts, use a cookie scoop.
- Don’t overmix the peanuts with the chocolate mixture, as they may come out too crushed.
- You can set the peanut clusters at room temperature for about 30 minutes before transferring to the refrigerator to prevent the chocolate from getting cloudy or dull.
Variation Ideas
- Dark chocolate options: If you want your clusters to be sweeter and creamier, substitute dark chocolate chips with milk chocolate, white chocolate, or semi-sweet chocolate chips. White almond bark is another quicker choice.
- Topping options: Aside from salt and peanuts, you can use chopped nuts and crushed pretzels for added texture. Dried fruits like raisins and cranberries bring another burst of flavor to the mix.
- Extra heat: Add a bit of chili powder or cayenne pepper to the melted chocolate mixture for a bit of spicy flavor.
- Nut-free: If you’re allergic to nuts, you can substitute them with pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
Storing Peanut Clusters
What I like about peanut clusters is that you can make a large batch and save them for later. After the clusters have set and fully hardened, keep them in an airtight container. Store at room temperature in a cool, dry place for up to a week or in the fridge for up to three weeks.
Just make sure that you don’t immediately open the container that you’ve taken out of the fridge. Leave the container closed for at least 30 minutes before opening. Doing so will prevent condensation from happening on the chocolate.
You can also store your clusters in the freezer for up to three months. Wrap each cluster in wax paper or plastic wrap before storing them in an airtight container. Before serving, thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes.
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⚖️ Need a big batch to feed a crowd? You can easily change the number of servings in the recipe card below by tapping 2x or 3x. The ingredient measurements will automatically double or triple. You can then tap print and there you have it, a recipe for a crowd.
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Peanut Clusters
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 cups dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups roasted salted peanuts, divided
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a medium-sized, microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and peanut butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well between each, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.2 cups dark chocolate chips, ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- Stir in the roasted salted peanuts until fully coated with the chocolate mixture.2 cups roasted salted peanuts
- Drop rounded tablespoons of the chocolate-peanut mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle each cluster with flaky sea salt and extra peanuts if desired.1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
- Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes, or until the clusters are firm.
- Transfer the set peanut clusters to an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to one week.
Notes
- Chocolate Options: Dark chocolate chips add a rich flavor, but you can substitute with semisweet or milk chocolate chips if you prefer a sweeter treat.
- Salt Options: Flaky sea salt balances the sweetness beautifully, but kosher salt works in a pinch. Avoid using table salt, as it can be too overpowering.
- Peanut Butter Varieties: Both all-natural and classic creamy peanut butter work well. Just make sure to stir natural peanut butter thoroughly if it has separated.