Easy 3 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Clusters

Dark Chocolate Peanut Clusters are one of the easiest and most delicious candy recipes I have made. You only need three ingredients: dark chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and salted peanuts. You can make them in the microwave or crockpot, and they’re perfect for Christmas gifts, parties, candy trays, and more!

Originally posted October 2017, updated August 2024.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Clusters

Dark Chocolate Peanut Clusters. Chocolate with Peanuts. Yes, they’re as good as they sound. Better, actually. These are the easiest, most delicious candies I make around the holidays.

This is not a new candy… at least not for me. I’ve been making chocolate peanut clusters for more years than I can count, and we have never gotten tired of them.

I got the recipe for these Dark Chocolate Peanut Clusters from my Aunt Julie ages ago and from the very first time I made them, I was hooked. Look how easy they are…

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I prefer to make these with dark chocolate chips, but if milk chocolate or semi-sweet is your thing… by all means, go for it! I promise, they’ll be just as good!

What are Chocolate Peanut Clusters?

This is sort of like chocolate covered peanuts (like Goobers), but in clusters. And it only takes three ingredients: chocolate, peanut butter chips, and salted peanuts. 

Why You’ll Love Peanut Butter Clusters

Easy – only 3 ingredients and 10 minutes to have this recipe for peanut clusters finished!

Perfect for last minute! You can make these for last minute gifts or a last-minute party dessert

Freezer Friendly – You can make these ahead of time and store them in the freezer (if you like to get ahead on your Christmas candy making) or if this batch is too big for your needs and you want to save some for later.

Peanut Clusters Recipe

Anyway… enough about all of that. I’ll say it again: this may be the most easiest bestest homemade chocolate candy ever. EV.ER. And I really mean it.

It takes about 10 minutes, 3 ingredients, and absolutely zero talent to make—not that any of you have to worry about having zero talent.

But if you lack self-esteem when it comes to making candy, have no fear—you can do this!! Anyone can do this, I promise.

Peanut Clusters

But even better than that? Chocolate Peanut Clusters are super delicious and always impressive. Look at all those peanuts in that yummy chocolate-peanut butter mixture. Divine!

If you share this candy (and you totally won’t want to), nobody will ever believe how easy it was for you to make. You’ll be an instant hero.

Tools Needed

You don’t need a double boiler on the stove top or a candy thermometer like some peanut cluster recipes call for. You only need a microwave and a couple of other basic kitchen tools for this super easy chocolate covered peanuts recipe. 

• Microwave safe bowl
• Large Baking Sheet
• Parchment Paper (or wax paper, but I much prefer parchment)
• Tablespoon or small cookie scoop

​Ingredients

It only takes three ingredients to make homemade chocolate peanut clusters—three simple ingredients that you can find in any grocery store. So here they are: You’ll need dark chocolate chips (or semi-sweet or milk chocolate), peanut butter chips, and salted peanuts.

Chocolate Chips – you can use dark chocolate chips (my preference) or semi-sweet chocolate chips. Milk chocolate chips can also be used for Milk Chocolate Peanut Clusters, but they’re a little too sweet for me. 

I suppose you could even use white chocolate chips if you wanted to make White Chocolate Peanut Clusters (which I’ve never tried). I have seen another peanut cluster recipe that calls for chocolate almond bark but I personally like real chocolate in this recipe instead of almond bark, so I’ve never tried it.

Peanut Butter Chips – as far as I know there are no other varieties of these.

Salted Peanuts – I always use salted peanuts because I love a delicious sweet and salty treat. But you could use unsalted peanuts if you want and add a sprinkle of sea salt on top before the chocolate clusters set up OR skip the salt altogether if that’s your jam. Another option would be roasted peanuts. YOu could also go with different nuts if you want – make Chocolate Almond Clusters or Chocolate Pecan Clusters.

How to Make Chocolate Peanut Clusters

This recipe for chocolate peanut clusters could not be easier. You can have them ready in 10 minutes or less (plus a little chilling time). This makes them the perfect last-minute Christmas candy or candy for a candy box or edible gift.

1. So start by pouring all the chips into a microwaveable glass bowl and mix them up. Next, microwave for one minute. Then stir.
2. For me, one minute is enough, but if they’re still not melted enough to be smooth, microwave them in 30-second intervals, stirring after each time, until completely melted and smooth.
3. Then dump in 3 cups of salted peanuts into the melted chocolate and stir again until they’re all well coated.
4. Line some large baking sheets with long pieces of parchment paper. 
5. Then dip out the candy by the spoonful onto your cookie sheets. You could also dip the chocolate clusters into cupcake liners or candy liners.
6. You can let these sit at room temperature and harden (takes 30ish minutes, depending on the temperature and humidity in your house) or you can pop the sheets in the frig for 10 minutes and they’re done!
7. This chocolate peanut clusters recipe makes about 48- 50 pieces (2 cookie sheets full).

​Pro Tips

Make them all the same size. I love to use a small cookie scoop so that the candies are uniform in size! Get one here –> http://amzn.to/2xR7Nqj.

Make Single Servings. Scoop them into cupcake liners if you’re serving to kids so little hands don’t touch all the peanut chocolate clusters on the plate when picking out one.

Crockpot Peanut Clusters

If you don’t have a microwave or don’t want to use your microwave to make these, another really popular recipe is Crock Pot Peanut Clusters. It’s the same 3 ingredient peanut clusters, but made in a slow cooker.

Here’s the short version for how to make Peanut Clusters in a Crockpot

1. Pour the salted peanuts into the bottom of your crock pot. Add the dark chocolate chips and peanut butter chips on top.
2. Cook on the lowest setting for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
3. Dip rounded spoonfuls onto parchment paper (or into candy cups) and allow to set up.
   

Storage Directions

Store chocolate peanut clusters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Make sure they’re in a cool, dark place.

If you live in a warm, humid environment (like me), you might choose to store them in the refrigerator instead so they don’t get soft and stick together. They also last up to a month when refrigerated.

FAQ

More Delicious Candy Recipes

• Easy White Chocolate Peppermint Bark (2 Ingredients + 10 Minutes)
• Easy Southern Pecan Pralines (No Candy Thermometer Required)
• Saltine Cracker Candy aka Easy Chocolate Toffee Bark
• Pralines & Cream Fudge Recipe {Perfect for Gift-Giving!}
• Little Debbie White Chocolate Christmas Fudge
• Easy Chocolate Covered Cherries (Cherry Cordials)

I hope you make and enjoy this super easy recipe for Dark Chocolate Peanut Clusters!! Please leave me a comment and let me know if you do!!