Homemade Chocolate Peanut Clusters are an easy holiday treat made with just 2 ingredients! Quick to make on the stovetop or microwave — perfect for holiday gifting or snacking!
Easy No-Bake Christmas Treat
These no-bake chocolate peanut clusters are made with just 2 ingredients (3 if you count a pinch of salt)! This classic treat is incredibly simple to make but tastes amazing. Customize them with festive holiday sprinkles or a drizzle of white or dark chocolate on top. They're a popular homemade candy, especially during the Christmas season!
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♡ What you’ll love about this recipe:
✔ Just 2 ingredients – Made with dark chocolate chips and roasted peanuts (plus a pinch of salt).
✔ No almond bark – Rich, real chocolate flavor without shortcuts.
✔ No tempering chocolate – Melt, mix, and you’re done!
✔ Quick & easy – Comes together in minutes using the microwave or stovetop.
✔ Great for make-ahead – Stores well in the fridge, making it perfect for holiday prep and gifting.
Peanut Clusters Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
- Roasted peanuts bring a rich, nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch to every bite—much better than raw peanuts. You can use salted or unsalted, but if you go with salted, be sure to skip adding any extra salt at the end.
- Choose a high-quality chocolate like Ghirardelli or Guittard. It melts smoother, tastes richer, and sets up beautifully without needing tempering. You can use dark, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate based on your taste.
How to make peanut clusters?
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
How To Make peanut Clusters In The Stovetop
1. In a medium sauce pan, bring 1 cup of water to simmering over low heat.
2. Place a glass bowl on top of the pot so it rests above the simmering water, but doesn't touch it.
3. Add the chocolate chips into the bowl and allow the steam to heat the bowl and melt the chocolate. Stir occasionally until mostly melted. Remove the bowl from the pot and continue to stir until fully melted.
4. Stir in the roasted peanuts, scoop mounds and chill.
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Peanut Clusters
Ingredients
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate use chocolate chips or baking bar
- 1 ½ cups dry roasted peanuts, skin removed unsalted
- sea salt for topping
Instructions
- Place chocolate chips or broken chunks of semi sweet chocolate bar in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 40 to 60 seconds, or until chocolate is 90% melted. Remove from microwave and stir until fully melted. This step gives a nice shine on the chocolate peanut clusters.
- Add peanuts and stir until well combined. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and scoop about a tablespoon mounds on the parchment paper. Sprinkle coarse sea salt on top and place baking sheet in the refrigerator to set for at least 4 hours.
- Refrigerate clusters in an air tight container until serving time.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
Storage Tips
For the best freshness and texture, store chocolate peanut clusters in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They stay perfectly firm and delicious when chilled, and can be enjoyed straight from the fridge for up to 1 week. These are great to have on hand for sweet cravings or when you need a last-minute holiday dessert!
Freezing Instructions
Chocolate nut clusters freeze beautifully and can be stored for up to 2 months without losing their taste or texture. Let them cool completely, place in an airtight container or freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking, seal and freeze.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the chocolate covered peanuts in the fridge or enjoy straight from the freezer — they’re just as tasty cold!
Tips for Success
- Use high-quality chocolate – A good-quality brand like Ghirardelli or Guittard melts smoother and gives a rich, decadent flavor.
- Choose dry roasted peanuts – Avoid raw or oil-roasted peanuts. Dry roasted peanuts add the best crunch and flavor without any added fats.
- Skip extra salt if using salted peanuts – Salted peanuts already bring enough seasoning, so no need to add more.
- Store in the fridge – These chocolate peanut clusters are best kept cold for optimal texture and freshness.
- Great straight from the freezer – Let them thaw for a few minutes at room temperature to soften slightly, or enjoy them frozen for a firmer bite. Once the clusters are fully set, transfer to a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container for long-term storage.
Fun Variations to Try
- Switch up the chocolate – Use dark, milk, or white chocolate depending on your taste (or mix two for a marbled effect!).
- Try different nuts – Roasted cashews, almonds, or pecans are all delicious alternatives to peanuts. We made almond clusters too!
- Add dried fruit – Mix in some raisins or dried cranberries for a sweet and chewy contrast.
- Make it festive – Add red and white sprinkles or crushed peppermint candies on top for a holiday twist.
- For Valentine’s Day – Top with heart-shaped candies or red sprinkles for a cute themed treat.
- Birthday-friendly – Add colorful rainbow sprinkles to turn them into a fun, celebratory sweet!
Frequently Asked Questions
Peanuts coated in chocolate or other sweet coatings have been a popular treat for a long time. Although the exact origin is not precisely documented, but they have been a beloved homemade candy for generations, dating way before 1912 when they were made popular by the Goo Goo Cluster.
Nut clusters can be made using other types of tree nuts like almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts, or a mix of nuts to create your own unique clusters. Opt for roasted nuts to achieve the perfect crunch in your clusters, and by choosing unsalted nuts, you have control over the salt in your candy.
I prefer to use roasted, unsalted peanuts with the skins removed in my peanut clusters recipe. It results in a smoother, uniform appearance and preserves the peanut and chocolate flavor. However, using peanuts with the skins can lend a more rustic appearance and subtly alter the taste.
More No Bake Holiday Desserts
Looking for easy Christmas treats that don't require an oven? These no-bake holiday desserts are festive, simple to make, and perfect for gifting, snacking, or adding to your holiday dessert table.
- No bake almond butter truffles are rich, smooth, creamy and decadent!
- Chocolate peppermint bark not only eliminates the need for breaking peppermint bark into chunks but also makes perfect individual portions that is ideal for packaging and gifting for the holidays!
- This date caramels is the healthiest homemade candy ever! They are vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, no-cook, no-bake and made with only 4 Ingredients.
- Raw chocolate salami is made with wholesome ingredients like dates, cocoa powder, nuts, and coconut oil, it is my favorite go-to snack to store in the fridge.
- These candied almonds make the perfect snack or a homemade Holiday gift everyone will love!
- This Christmas fudge is the easiest recipe! I topped it with dried raspberries and chopped pistachios to make it festive for the holiday season.
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