Peanut Brittle is a truly American treat. Terrible on the teeth, sweet to the taste, with a smoky and nutty flavor. Peanut brittle is made by caramelizing sugar to a crack stage and adding shelled peanuts and sometimes vanilla to it. Served as a hard and crunchy treat.
Yes, peanut brittle is naturally gluten-free. Containing mainly peanuts, sugar, butter, corn syrup, and baking soda, peanut brittle does not contain gluten. However, peanut brittle is far from healthy. The best healthier gluten-free alternatives to peanut brittle include Laird Superfood Cacao Pili Nuts, JOJO’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Delight, and Siren Organic Chocolate Peanut Butter Filled Keto Bites.
In this article, we will discuss peanut brittle’s nutritional value, as well as healthier gluten-free alternatives. Let’s get cracking on some peanut brittle!
Contents
Are Peanuts good for you?
Peanuts are grown in the Southern USA. Peanuts are a legume, not a tree nut, and grow from a small shrub. They have a high fat content which adds to their creamy and butter texture. Full of natural oils, peanuts are easily made into peanut butter and peanut oil.
The oil found in peanuts is considered a healthy fat source, the type that can help to reduce cholesterol. Peanuts are also high in fiber, magnesium, and protein. Overall, peanuts are considered to be a heart healthy diet addition. As with all foods, moderation is key. Peanuts are healthy for you, but should be consumed intermittently to reduce weight gain.
What makes a Brittle?
Is it toffee, praline, or brittle? And what is considered a brittle for candy? Let’s define what makes a toffee.
Toffee is typically made using butter and sugar heated to a hard ball sugar stage, approximately 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pralines are more like a fudge consistency. The sugar is heated to a soft ball or sometimes medium sugar stage. Pralines do have nuts, or legumes, but are usually chewy, not hard.
Brittle is caramelized sugar with nuts mixed into it. Brittle is heated higher than toffee or praline, at a 300 degrees Fahrenheit or hard crack sugar stage. Brittle can have dairy in it, but is not necessary to be called a brittle. The nuts or in the case of peanuts or cashews, legumes, are the deciding addition to a brittle that makes it different than a toffee.
Peanut Brittle Nutritional Information
See’s Candies Peanut Brittle
The juxtaposition of the salty and sweet flavor of See’s Candies Peanut Brittle is irresistible. Made with real butter. With more than 30% of your daily intake of saturated fat in one serving this peanut brittle should be eaten sparingly if at all. There are 210 calories and 15 grams of fat in 1.5 ounces of See’s Candies Peanut Brittle.
Here are the ingredients for See’s Candies Peanut Brittle:
- Peanuts
- Sugar
- Butter (Milk)
- Corn Syrup
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Artificial Vanilla/Vanillin
Nutrition Facts (per 1.5 oz):
- Calories 210
- Fat 15g
- Carbs 19g
- Sugars 14g
- Protein 4g
- Sodium 260mg
Hall’s Peanut Brittle
Another brand that makes a traditional peanut brittle is Hall’s. Hall’s Peanut Brittle contains corn syrup and soy. However, Hall’s Peanut Brittle is gluten free. Made with real cow’s milk cream and peanuts. There are 130 calories and 6 grams of fat per 28 grams or 1 ounce of Hall’s Peanut Brittle. With less saturated fat and sodium than See’s this peanut brittle we think we can do better health-wise and still deliver a great tasting peanut treat. Let’s move on to better gluten free peanut brittle alternatives.
Here is a list of ingredients for Hall’s Peanut Brittle:
- Peanuts
- Sugar
- Pasteurized Cream
- Salt
- Corn Syrup
- Baking Soda
- Artificial Vanilla/Vanillin
- Soy Lecithin
Nutrition Facts (per 28g):
- Calories 130
- Fat 6g
- Carbs 18g
- Sugars 12g
- Protein 2g
- Sodium 85mg
Healthy Peanut Brittle Alternatives
Peanut Brittle alternatives that are still gluten free as well as tasty? Let’s take a look at our list of options:
- Laird Superfood Cacao Pili Nuts
- NuBu Nut Butter Bites with Peanuts
- JOJO’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Delight
- Siren Organic Chocolate Peanut Butter Filled Keto Bites
Laird Superfood Cacao Pili Nuts
Laird Superfood Cacao Pili Nuts are dairy free, gluten free, soy free, vegan, paleo-friendly, and wild harvested. Pili nuts have a buttery flavor and texture much like a peanut. Laird Superfood Cacao Pili Nuts have 210 calories per serving of 1 pouch or 30 grams. Made with pure ingredients and low in sugar this is a great nutty treat alternative to peanut brittle.
Here is the ingredient list for Laird Superfood Cacao Pili Nuts:
- Sprouted Dried Pili Nuts
- Organic Cacao Powder
- Organic Coconut Sugar
- Himalayan Pink Salt
Nutrition Facts (per 30g):
- Calories 210
- Fat 18g
- Carbs 7g
- Sugars 3g
- Fiber 1g
- Protein 4g
- Sodium 100g
NuBu Nut Butter Bites with Peanuts
NuBu Nut Butter Bites with Peanuts are made with a peanut butter base, containing no preservatives, gluten, or dairy. Nutritionally, NuBu Nut Butter Bites with Peanuts have 130 calories per 1 pouch or 28 grams. The sugar content is not lower than traditional peanut brittle, but the fat is much lower.
The ingredients for NuBu Nut Butter Bites with Peanuts:
- Peanuts
- Corn Syrup
- Sugar
- Baking Soda
- Natural Flavor
- Sea Salt
Nutrition Facts (per g):
- Calories 130
- Fat 7g
- Carbs 15g
- Sugars 13g
- Protein 3g
- Sodium 140mg
JOJO’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Delight
JOJO’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Delight is certified gluten free, soy free, non-GMO, lactose free, paleo, vegan, and keto. Low in sugar and carbohydrates JOJO’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Delight is leaps healthy above other sweet peanut candies. There are 190 calories and only 40 mg of salt in a serving of 34 grams or 1 bar of JOJO’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Delight.
The ingredients in JOJO’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Delight are:
- 70% Dark Chocolate, unsweetened
- Peanuts
- Sea Salt
- Sugar
- Cocoa Butter
- Hemp Protein
- Sunflower Lecithin
Nutrition Facts (per 34g):
- Calories 190
- Fat 14g
- Carbs 6g
- Sugars 6g
- Protein 6g
- Sodium 40mg
Siren Organic Chocolate Peanut Butter Filled Keto Bites
Siren Organic Chocolate Peanut Butter Filled Keto Bites are plant-based, gluten free, non-GMO, grain and soy free. These bites contain no artificial ingredients. And as the name denotes, they are keto. These bites are also free of common allergens. Siren Organic Chocolate Peanut Butter Filled Keto Bites contain 200 calories in one bag or 48 grams. Made with sustainable ingredients and no added sugar. These keto bites are a fabulous nutritional substitute for peanut brittle.
The ingredients in Siren Organic Chocolate Peanut Butter Filled Keto Bites are:
- Organic Peanuts
- Organic Almond Flour
- Organic Chicory Root Fiber
- Organic Peanut Flour
- Organic Chocolate Chips (Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Liquor, Organic Cocoa Butter)
- Organic Cocoa Powder
- Organic Vegetable Glycerin
- Organic Palm Oil (Certified Sustainable)
- Sea Salt
- Organic Monk Fruit Extract
Nutrition Facts (per 48g):
- Calories 200
- Fat 15g
- Carbs 14g
- Sugars 3g
- Protein 7g
- Sodium 70mg
Final Thoughts
Peanuts are a healthy snack full of monosaturated fats, magnesium, fiber, and protein. Peanuts make delicious treats when mixed with caramel-like ingredients, such as peanut brittle. Peanut brittle is a favorite American candy usually made with butter, sugar, and peanuts. Peanut brittles should all be gluten free, which includes all brands of peanut brittle we have listed.
Peanut Brittle is not healthy for you. With high fat, sodium, and sugar values, peanut brittle should be consumed rarely. But don’t fret, there are healthier versions of peanut brittle on the market! Siren Organic Chocolate Peanut Butter Filled Keto Bites are a jam-packed peanut candy that is low in sugar and carbohydrates.
Laird Superfood Cacao Pili Nuts are full of goodness. High in calories, but low in sugar, Laird Pili Nuts are a delicious peanut alternative that is still gluten free. If, however, you are looking for a gluten free peanut candy that is also low in salt content then JOJO’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Delight is an excellent option. And JOJO’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Delight is much lower in sugar that traditional peanut brittle.
Looking for even more options? There are other peanut butter candies available, many of them are sugar free. Atkinson’s Sugar Free Crunchy Peanut Candy Bars, a chocolate-free peanut candy can usually be found in the candy aisle. However, as these (and many similar ones) contain several artificial ingredients and additives, we have left them off this list.
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