If you've never made candy in your slow cooker, you're in for a treat! Crockpot Peanut Clusters are one of those recipes that feel like magic. You toss in the ingredients and let the slow cooker do the work. You'll give it an occasional stir, and suddenly you have the most addictive little bites of sweet and salty goodness!!
These clusters are rich, nutty, chocolatey, and almost impossible to stop eating. Bonus: they make the cutest holiday gift or party treat without a lot of fuss.
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No-fuss peanut cluster recipe
Sweet meets salty in the best way possible! Creamy, melty chocolate hugs crunchy peanuts, creating a candy that's simple yet crave-worthy.
The crockpot keeps things easy (no candy thermometer required!) and the recipe makes a big batch-perfect for sharing, gifting, or sneaking straight off the tray.
Crockpot Peanut Clusters
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Rubber or silicone spatula
- small cookie scoop or spoon
Ingredients
- 32 ounces lightly salted peanuts
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 12 ounces milk chocolate chips
- 12 ounces peanut butter chips
- 12 ounces white almond bark broken into squares
- 1-2 tablespoon sea salt for garnish
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Pour the peanuts into the bottom of a crockpot.
- Next, layer the semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, and peanut butter chips. Top with squares of almond bark.
- Cook on low for 1 hour, stirring well every 15 minutes to keep the chocolate from scalding at the bottom of the crockpot.
- After an hour, or once all the chips and almond bark are completely melted, stir thoroughly one last time to ensure the mixture is well-combined and all the peanuts are coated.
- Using a small cookie scoop (or a spoon), place small clusters onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Immediately sprinkle each candy with a pinch of sea salt.
- Allow the peanut clusters to set in the refrigerator for 20 minutes, until the chocolate has fully hardened and set.
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Nutrition
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card for the exact measurements for this recipe.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
Of course you can! Some alternative baking chips you might use are dark chocolate, white chocolate, caramel, or butterscotch. Do not swap out the almond bark.
White almond bark is a type of candy coating that is easy to work with and designed to melt smoothly. I use it for the peanut clusters recipe because it is stable, forgiving, and resistant to scorching in the slow cooker. White almond bark also helps to create a glossier finish to the candies.
You can, but real chocolate gives a much more rich flavor.
I don't recommend it. Peanut butter has a lot of oil and could prevent the clusters from setting up and hardening.
The candy set up very quickly, sprinkle the sea salt on asap to avoid the candy hardening first.
Deb's tips for making peanut clusters
If you're making these for the holidays, add festive sprinkles or a drizzle of white chocolate before the clusters set to dress them up. And be ready to scoop quickly. The chocolate firms up as it cools, so working with a little hustle helps keep the clusters neat and uniform.
More great homemade candy recipes
If you're all about easy homemade candy (and who isn't?), I've got a few more treats you'll love. Mom's recipe for Chocolate Covered Cashews are the ultimate sweet-and-salty snack, Cathedral Window Candy is as colorful as it is tasty.
The Cashew Toffee Recipe brings that buttery crunch we all crave. These candies are simple to make and guaranteed to disappear fast!
Ready to make a batch?
Crockpot Peanut Clusters prove that candy-making doesn't need to be complicated or intimidating. With just a handful of ingredients and your trusty slow cooker, you can whip up a big batch of chocolatey clusters that everyone will rave about!
Whether you're gifting them in cute tins, setting them out for a holiday party, or sneaking a few for yourself, these little clusters will quickly become a family favorite. Go ahead and give them a try-you'll be hooked from the very first bite!
Lois says
I made these last evening and they are so good. We loved them and so easy to make. I have made similar ones but these are the best.
Donna says
I have made a recipe that was similar to this one, but this sounds so much better! I will use your recipe soon, thanks.
Debra Clark says
Wonderful, I hope you really enjoy it (we think these little bites are fabulous!) Swing back and let me know what you think Donna!
Karen says
Another easy recipe and very good too! Will be making these for Christmas treats.
Debra Clark says
Enjoy Karen, chocolate covered peanuts are such a yummy treat!! I have it from a trusted source, they are Santa's favorite! 😉
Carol says
My neighbor use to give these to us every Christmas and I never asked how did you make them. Now, I know thanks for the recipe, they are sooo good.
Debra Clark says
Oh that makes my day! What a sweet tradition — and I’m so glad this brought those memories right back to you. These little clusters really do taste like Christmas, don’t they? Thanks so much for taking a moment to share this!