Peanut Clusters are one of the easiest Christmas candies to make and enjoy yourself or gift to friends, family and neighbors. This Peanut Cluster recipe is simple and sweet, using only 2 ingredients. You can whip them up in the microwave, slow cooker or stove top!

3 peanut clusters on a white plate
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If you love all things sweet and salty, you will love Chocolate Peanut Clusters! They make a delicious snack or a beautiful gift for teachers, neighbors, friends and family!

They’re a classic Christmas candy that make a  delightfully sweet treat you can enjoy year round! In fact, they’re so easy that you might just find yourself whipping up a small batch to cure a craving.

chocolate peanut clusters with red sprinkles

You know my saying, sometimes simple is simply the best! That’s exactly what they are! SIMPLE (and so delicious!) So easy that even kids can help make them!

These take less than 10 minutes from start to finish and just another minute or two to gift wrap.

Sometimes simple is simply the best.

3 peanut clusters with sprinkles on a plate

Peanut Cluster Ingredients

These lightly salted Peanut Clusters require just 2 ingredients with optional sea salt! They’re gluten free, too!

  • Chocolate – Chips or wafers, your choice. Milk chocolate chips, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate chips, almond bark, or melting chocolate. You can even make them with white chocolate!
  • Peanuts – I love using dry roasted peanuts, but you can use any of your favorites.
  • Sea Salt – Thick flakes of sea salt not only add a lot of flavor, but beautiful texture as well. Just set a grinder to the largest setting.

Variations

  • Add sprinkles for a little color and extra crunch
  • Substitute half of the chocolate for peanut butter chips
  • Use an array of your favorite nuts
  • Reader suggestion: “Super easy fan favorite. I also did these with Reeses chips.”
  • Drop half of the mixture and drizzle a little caramel in the center, the top it with a little more mixture for peanut clusters with caramel.

It’s these simple things that remind us of how chocolate should taste, the crunch of the nut and the sharp of the salt. Too many ingredients and we get lost in the flavor.

closeup of a peanut cluster on parchment paper with red sprinkles

This Peanut Cluster Recipe takes 5 minutes to make and only few minutes to set before their ready to box or bag and gift!

peanut clusters with sea salt on a plate

It’s no wonder why this easy recipe has become a Pinterest sensation!

peanut clusters with sea salt

How to Make Peanut Clusters in the Microwave

It’s so easy! You can get the full printable recipe below and see just how easy they are in the video!

I make to make Peanut Clusters in the microwave to keep it quick and easy, but you can do it on the stove top using a double broiler or in a slow cooker – see below for all the details.

how to make peanut clusters melting chocolate in glass bowl
  1. Melt chocolate (again, chocolate chips, almond bark or chocolate melting wafers all work well) in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second intervals. As the chocolate melts, reduce to 15 second intervals until it’s completely melted. melted chocolate in clear pourable mixing bowl
  2. Stir in peanuts. step by step photo to make peanut clusters melted chocolate with peanuts on top in glass bowl
  3. Drop onto parchment paper, wax paper or parchment lined baking sheets. Any will do! dropping peanut clusters onto parchment paper with a spoon
  4. Optional: top with sea salt – or sprinkles. how to make chocolate peanut clusters peanut cluster recipe
  5. Bring to room temperature (about 30 minutes) to set.

How to Make Chocolate Peanut Clusters in a Slow Cooker

  1. Grease with cooking spray.
  2. Add chocolate and peanuts to slow cooker. Stir every 20 minutes until chocolate is melted and smooth (about 1 hour).
  3. Drop onto parchment lined cookie sheets to set.

How to Make Clusters on the StoveTop

  1. Warm chocolate over low heat, stirring continuously to avoid burning, about 7-10 minutes, until melted.
  2. Stir in peanuts.
  3. Drop onto parchment lined cookie sheets to set.

Notes and Tips

  • Chocolate Peanut Clusters last for weeks when stored at room temperature or refrigerated  in an airtight container. Separate layers with parchment paper to stack. Peanut Clusters can even be frozen up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag!
  • To gift wrap, simply box, add to a clear cellophane bag and tie with a ribbon or metal tin.
3 ingredient chocolate peanut clusters recipe

It’s one of my favorite giftable Christmas candies. I hope to master mom’s peanut brittle and grandma’s divinity this year, but these foolproof chocolate peanut clusters will always be a staple.

chocolate peanut clusters

Looking for more easy holiday gifts? Learn how to make hot chocolate bombs here!

3 peanut clusters topped with sea salt on a white plate
5 from 13 votes

Peanut Clusters

Peanut Clusters are one of the easiest Christmas candies to make and enjoy yourself or gift to friends, family and neighbors. This Peanut Cluster recipe is simple and sweet, using only 2 ingredients. 
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 24
Pin Rate Print

Ingredients  

  • 2 cups chocolate chips milk, semi-sweet or dark chocolate
  • 1 cup peanuts

Optional

Instructions 

  • In a large microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate in the microwave in 30 second increments, reducing as chocolate melts to 15 second intervals. Stir until melted and smooth.
  • Stir in peanuts.
  • Using a teaspoon, drop onto parchment paper.
  • Immediately top with fresh cracks of sea salt or sprinkles and allow to set.

Julie’s Tips

Substitutions

  • Chocolate – Chips or wafers, your choice. Milk chocolate chips, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate chips, almond bark, or melting chocolate. You can even make them with white chocolate!
  • Peanuts – I love using dry roasted peanuts, but you can use any of your favorites, even cashews, almonds and walnuts!

Variations

  • Sprinkles – Add for a little color and extra crunch
  • Mix it Up – Use an array of your favorite nuts
  • Make Peanut Butter Clusters – Use Reese’s Chips instead of chocolate
  • Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Clusters – Substitute half of the chocolate for peanut butter chips
  • Make Peanut Clusters with Caramel – Drop half of the mixture and drizzle a little caramel in the center, the top it with a little more mixture

Slow Cooker Instructions

  1. Grease with cooking spray.
  2. Add chocolate and peanuts to slow cooker. Stir every 20 minutes until chocolate is melted and smooth (about 1 hour).
  3. Drop onto parchment lined cookie sheets to set.

StoveTop Instructions

  1. Warm chocolate over low heat, stirring continuously to avoid burning, about 7-10 minutes, until melted.
  2. Stir in peanuts.
  3. Drop onto parchment lined cookie sheets to set.

Notes and Tips

To Store 
  • Room Temperature – Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 4 weeks. Separate layers with parchment paper to stack.
  • Refrigerate – Store in an airtight container refrigerated up to 4 weeks. Separate layers with parchment paper to stack.
  • Freeze – Store in an airtight container or freezer bag up to 3 months.
To Gift Wrap
  • Box, add to a clear cellophane bag and tie with a ribbon or metal tin.

Video

Calories: 109kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 108mg | Potassium: 45mg | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 35IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

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19 Comments

  1. It’s these simple things that remind us of how chocolate should taste, the crunch of the nut and the sharp of the salt. Too many ingredients and we get lost in the flavor.Â