This might be the easiest chocolate candy ever. It's a simple concept of mixing melted chocolate with nuts, and maybe sea salt flakes. They're delicious, ready in 25 minutes, and the perfect treat to make with kids, for kids' birthdays, and as a holiday gift.

Homemade chocolate candy
Peanuts or peanut butter and chocolate is a hugely popular and mouthwatering flavor combination.
I tend to pair it with dark chocolate, like the chocolate peanut butter oat bars (no-bake!) and the not-too-sweet peanut butter quick bread with chocolate sauce.
But any chocolate goes.
I use all three for this recipe: dark, milk, and white. The final flavor is different and I love it. I highly encourage you to find your sweet chocolate spot.
This is a similar concept to chocolate bark.
The idea of making your own chocolate bar is so appealing, in my opinion, and if you also thought for years that certain flavors or candies could only be achieved by huge companies with complicated, expensive machinery, the excitement and surprise after the first bite is multiplied by a gazillion.
They taste superb and you know exactly what the ingredient list is, which is always a big plus.

Ingredient Notes
- Chocolate: I mix the three types (semisweet, milk, and white chocolate), sometimes only dark and white. But this recipe works with one kind of chocolate also. Whatever you love or are in the mood for.
- Peanuts: I highly recommend toasted peanuts because the flavor is more pronounced. I buy them toasted (you can do it at home if you purchase natural nuts) and add some of my favorite sea salt. But to make your life easier, you can use already salted peanuts. The downside is that you can't control the amount of salt.
- Sea salt: is optional, but it adds another layer of flavor that complements the chocolate and peanuts very well. I use and love Maldon sea salt. Kosher salt also works well as it's coarser than regular, fine table salt.
Quantities are listed in the recipe card towards the end of this post. The Ingredients page has more details and lists the brands we use.

How to make peanut clusters
This process is so simple, quick and easy that it's almost a 'no recipe' recipe.
Two ways to melt chocolate:
- Microwave. Melt chopped chocolate on high for 10 seconds, take out and mix well. Repeat until all the chocolate is melted. Be careful you don't scorch it. That's why it's important to mix it well between each heating.
- Stovetop. Place the bowl with the chopped chocolate over a small saucepan with a few inches of water. Over medium heat, let the chocolate melt, stirring occasionally. Make sure the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water and that no water gets into the bowl. If the water boils too much before the chocolate is melted, turn the heat off and let the hot vapor melt the remaining chocolate.

Melted chocolate and peanuts are combined in a bowl.

Form mounds: use parchment paper to line the baking or cookie sheets. I use a ⅛ measuring cup, but you can use measuring tablespoons or regular ones.

Let the clusters dry: this takes me 15 minutes, but it will vary depending on the size of the mounds and the type of chocolate you use. They are ready when completely dry, not just the tops but also the centers, and you can remove them easily from the parchment paper.

Kitchen notes
- Organization: read the recipe first and ensure you have ingredients at the correct temperatures, equipment, and enough workspace. This will make the process so much easier!
- Chocolate: I highly recommend using already tempered chocolate for a better finish. You can buy it as melting chocolate wafers. If using semisweet chocolate bars, you want to temper them first or you'll get a dull finish. But the flavor will still be great. Tempering chocolate is not advisable for beginner bakers. That said, here's a good way of tempering chocolate without a thermometer that can help you.
- Parchment paper: or wax paper both work very well and make it easy to remove once the clusters are dried.
- Easier cleaning: using parchment paper will simplify your life because if some chocolate gets stuck, you throw the paper away and don't have to clean the whole tray or baking sheet.
- Nuts: peanuts and chocolate never fail, but you can use hazelnuts (fantastic combo!), walnuts or any other nut you like paired with chocolate.
- Variations: these clusters can be customized with other ingredients such as coconut, dried fruit, pretzels, and cookie chunks. Get creative and make them your own!

Troubleshooting common issues
- Preventing the chocolate from seizing: when working with chocolate, it's important to keep it dry and avoid any contact with water, which can cause it to seize and become clumpy. Make sure all of your equipment is completely dry, and avoid using a damp spatula or spoon when stirring the chocolate.
- How do I get the peanut clusters to stick together? The melted chocolate acts as a binding agent for the peanut clusters, but you'll need to mix the peanuts thoroughly with the chocolate to ensure that each cluster is coated and sticks together.
- How do I store the chocolate peanut clusters? Store your chocolate peanut clusters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you prefer a firmer texture, you can also store them in the refrigerator, but be aware that they may develop a white film on the surface due to temperature changes.
Related recipes you might like:
Let me know in the comments below if you made this recipe and loved it and if you had issues so we can troubleshoot together. I love to hear what you think, always. Thanks for being here. It's much appreciated.
You might also consider subscribing to our FREE email series 'Baking the Best' and our regular newsletter. Or connect via Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my disclosure policy.

Easy Chocolate Peanut Clusters
Click the stars to Rate this Recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 pound chocolate, tempered is best (a mix of semisweet, white, and milk, only one or two of them) see Notes below
- 1 ¾ cup toasted or roasted peanuts, see Notes below
- pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Melt 1 pound chocolate together in the microwave, in 10-15 seconds (at the most) spurts and whisking it thoroughly until some pieces won't melt before microwaving it again. Stop when it's all mixed, don't overcook it because it goes from smooth to scorched in seconds. Or in a bowl over simmering water, being careful the chocolate doesn't touch the water.
- Add 1 ¾ cup toasted or roasted peanuts and pinch of sea salt, and mix very well, until it's all coated.
- Drop by tablespoons (or with a ⅛ measuring cup) onto prepared sheets.
- Let dry completely at room temperature, which will take about 15 minutes. Larger mounds will take longer.
- Keep at room temperature, in a cool place. I like to use metal tins, but they disappear fast.
Notes
Adapted from a very old Bon Appetit magazine
Caroline - All That I'm Eating says
This sounds so good and is such a simple and great way to get rid of those chocolate cravings!
Laura says
Does mixing the chocolates somehow help to temper them?
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
Oh man. These look amazing! I love peanuts and chocolate.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
Love chocolate with peanuts - and all that chocolate...yum!
Laura Dembowski says
So cool and interesting that you melted all three chocolates together. I don't see that in recipes very often.
Anne@FromMySweetHeart says
Oh Paula....how did you manage to have any left to photograph! I don't think these would have made it to a plate! My favorite candy bars are those with nuts! A perfect way to combine chocolate! : )
e / dig in says
paula darling, i won't ask your age if you don't ask mine 😉
i too have recipes i've kept forever, thinkign, "one day...". these look like they were worth the wait.
Natalie G says
Triple chocolate, nice! I love the combo of choco and peanuts!
The Sketched Chef says
Mixture of three choclats ? how amazing !
Guru Uru says
What a cute and delicious chocolatey treat 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Carol | a cup of mascarpone says
These are wonderful, Paula! They look incredible! What an awesome chocolate party treat!!!
Arthur in the Garden! says
OMG! Its like you read my mind!
Lizzy Do says
Oh, man, these look amazing, Paula! Bill will actually eat peanuts...wonder if he'd eat these????
Stacy says
When I was little bitty my mom used to take me shopping, which I hated, and to keep me happy, she'd buy me a quarter pound of chocolate covered peanuts at JCPenneys. The girl behind the candy counter would weigh them out in a little brown paper bag. It makes me sad that Penneys no longer has the candy counter but these would be even better than the originals, I'm sure. Clusters instead of individually covered peanuts=better every time. Also, no shopping necessary. 🙂
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
These are so pretty, Paula! I agree - homemade/handmade chocolates beat manufactured chocolate any day, hands down. I used to LOVE LOVE LOVE Ferrero Rocher (even as recent as last year, I'd devour them happily). I just ate one a few days ago and didn't like it at all. I thought it tasted like sugar as opposed to good quality chocolate. I like to think it's because my palate is so refined and discerning 😉 (aka - I'm annoyingly picky). You don't need fancy squiggles on top of these - they look fantastic and since I love dark chocolate, the darker the better, I bet they tasted amazing too.
a farmer in the dell says
All that I need with this recipe is a giant cup of coffee. chocolate peanut clusters in the morning sound like a good way to start the day!
Deb says
Oh I adore the rustic shapes over machine made any day! What a marvelous idea for Valentine's Day!
Renee says
Yet another treat that would relentlessly call my name at all hours of the day and night. I think I need to make it so I can work on strengthening my resistance skills. Yea right. I'll make them just to enjoy such a marvelous treat.
Christine @ 24 Carrot Kitchen says
Oh, this is so my type of treat. It's so easy with four ingredients. I can't wait to try these. 🙂
Medeja says
Oh I am really curious how does the mixture of all 3 chocolates taste.. 🙂 I wouldn't even let these cute things to set :))))