Chinese peanut brittle, also known as 花生糖 (hua sheng tang), is a traditional snack that has long been enjoyed during festivals and Chinese New Year. It consists of roasted peanuts embedded in a hard, crispy, sweet syrup made from caramelized sugar and honey. The flavor of Chinese peanut brittle is a delightful balance of nutty richness from the peanuts and deep caramel notes from the sugar. Chinese peanut brittle requires just a few pantry ingredients and it’s quite easy to make. You can make it ahead of time and serve it as a snack or give it as an edible holiday gift.
Chinese peanut brittle ingredients
Making Chinese peanut brittle only requires 7 ingredients and you probably have most of them in your pantry already:
Peanuts Quinoa Sesame seeds Sugar Butter Honey Salt
Traditional peanut brittle usually uses only peanuts as the base. My recipe also adds sesame seeds and puffed quinoa to the mixture, further adding an earthy aroma and a nicer texture.
How to make Chinese peanut brittle
Once cooked and given some time to cool, this peanut brittle is nutty, crunchy, crispy and fragrant. You can serve it as a snack with tea or a dessert after a meal. You can also wrap it up and use it as an edible gift. Peanut brittle in China is often associated with celebration, particularly around the Lunar New Year. It’s a symbol of prosperity and happiness, as peanuts are considered a lucky food in Chinese culture. It’s commonly given as a gift during traditional festivals. If you ever get a chance to try it or make it yourself, it’s a delightful treat that’s perfect to satisfy a sweet tooth!
Other Chinese snack & sweets
Szechuan Spicy Peanuts (黄飞鸿花生, Huang Fei Hong Spicy Peanuts) Chinese Walnut Cookies (核桃酥) Chinese Almond Cookies Chinese Pumpkin Cake (南瓜饼) Easy Candied Walnuts with Spice
