Easy is the name of the game with these Keto Peanut Clusters. With only 3 ingredients and 40 minutes to make, they’re a perfect last minute treat for any occasion.
This is your reminder that making keto dessert does not have to require a ton of ingredients and a whole lot of effort. If you need a quick treat or a last minute holiday gift, consider making these Keto Peanut Clusters.
My kids love these clusters. I started making them about 6 years ago and they were an instant hit for all of us. A little salty, a little sweet, and with a delicious crunch, they check all the boxes.
They’ve become a holiday tradition and I always make them for our cookie tray. Sometimes my friends and neighbors get a few too!
Why this recipe is so awesome
These 3 ingredient Keto Peanut Clusters are actually my low carb take on the famous CrockPot Candy, but they aren’t made in a slow cooker. And to be honest, making these on your stovetop actually simplifies the process.
By using a slow cooker, you actually add hours to a process that takes about 5 minutes. And then you have to clean the slow cooker too! Whereas setting a heatproof bowl over simmering water allows you to enjoy the candy sooner.
This keto candy recipe is so easy, even young kids can make it. It’s a fun way to get them involved in the kitchen. And with no added sugars or carbs, it’s a treat you can feel good about.
Each cluster has only 4g net carbs. And they last well too, so you can make them ahead for holiday gifts.
Reader reviews
“I just made these and had to sneak a quick bite before they were even hardened and I’m wondering why I didn’t make these sooner! SOOOO easy and delicious, will definitely be a staple in our house!” — Vanessa
“These are my go-to when craving a sweet snack. They’re super easy to make and even my non keto family love them.” — Cindy
“These are seriously the best treat!! And soooo simple to make! Thanks for sharing!” — Chelsea
Ingredients you need
- Peanut butter: Try to pick a creamy, well ground natural peanut butter that isn’t overly runny. My top favorite is Santa Cruz No Stir, but it isn’t always easy to find. Justin’s is another good brand but you may want to add ¼ teaspoon salt to the mixture.
- Sugar-free chocolate: I like to use dark chocolate, but milk chocolate works well too. Both ChocZero and Lily’s are good in this recipe. If you use my ChocZero link, you get 10% off your entire order.
- Salted peanuts: Use roasted, salted peanuts for this recipe, as they pair deliciously with the chocolate. If you get dry roasted, make sure they don’t have any additives.
- Flaked sea salt: This is optional but I like to sprinkle a little salt on the top for visual appeal.
Step-by-step directions
- Set a heatproof bowl over a pan of barely simmering water. Add the peanut butter and the chocolate and stir until melted and smooth.
- Add the peanuts and stir to coat well.
- Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto a waxed paper lined baking sheet. You should get about 24 mounds.
- Sprinkle with sea salt, if using. Chill the clusters until firm, about 30 minutes.
Expert tips
Stay nearby and stir almost constantly as you melt the chocolate and peanut butter together. And don’t let the water simmer too vigorously or the chocolate might seize and become gloppy.
If you want to make it with white chocolate, be sure to stay near it the whole time. You may also want to consider adding a little cocoa butter as you melt it. Keto white chocolate is even more prone to seizing and these precautions will help it melt more smoothly.
Allergic to peanuts? Feel free to use other nuts and nut butters. Roasted almonds or pecans would be delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Peanuts are low in carbs and high in fiber, making them an excellent option for the keto diet. A one ounce serving of peanuts has 4.6g of carbs and 2.4g of fiber. They are also high in potassium, magnesium, and Vitamin B.
They aren’t a true nut, but rather a legume like beans. This is why some people argue that they aren’t keto friendly. But anything that is this low carb can be worked into your daily macros easily.
Store these peanut clusters in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 10 days. You can also freeze them for several months. Make sure they have firmed up before storing them so that they don’t stick together.
This chocolate peanut cluster recipe has 6.5g of carbs and 2.5g of fiber per serving. That comes to 4g net carbs per cluster.
More quick and easy desserts
Keto Peanut Clusters Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 6 ounces sugar-free milk chocolate
- 10 ounces salted peanuts
- Sea salt for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Set a heatproof bowl over a pan of barely simmering water. Add the peanut butter and the chocolate and stir until melted and smooth.
- Add the peanuts and stir to coat in the chocolate. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto a waxed paper lined baking sheet. You should get about 24 mounds.
- Sprinkle with sea salt, if desired. Chill the clusters until firm, about 30 minutes.
Salina says
Hi, I purchased the Hershey’s sugar-free chocolate chips. Will these be sweet enough? Thanks.
Carolyn says
They should be.
Linda says
I love your recipes! Please add me to your email list, I would love to receive your recipes!
Thank you
Linda
Carolyn says
You can sign up right here! http://madmimi.com/signups/107971/join
Roxie says
Can I use unsweetened chocolate instead of sugar free?
Carolyn says
Um sure…if you want it to be ridiculously bitter and not taste very good! You could try to sweeten it but that’s tough because it tends to gum up if you just add sweetener. But search my blog for homemade chocolate chips and then you will have a good way to do it.
Natalie says
These look so delicious and very easy! YUM!!!
Jeannette says
Where do I find this sugar free milk chocolate?
Carolyn says
It’s linked in the post!
Rhonda says
Could this be melted in a microwave?
Carolyn says
Sure just do it slowly in short increments and stir in between.
Grace Cooper says
Could I use 100% cacao unsweetened chocolate? 🙁 it’s all I have right now!
Carolyn says
That’s going to be very bitter unless you sweeten it.
Grace Cooper says
ok..that is what I thought I will sweeten it …see what happens…thanks
Suzan says
How many pieces in a serving?
Carolyn says
One.
Summer Brooks says
Forgot to check the reply notification button lol
Summer Brooks says
Could I substitute the peanut butter and peanuts for almond butter and almonds? Btw, just love your blog and all the recipes!!!! They’ve been such a help with my keto journey 🙂
Carolyn says
Yes, you absolutely can.
Keira says
Hi what kind of peanut butter do you use
Carolyn says
Justin’s. It’s just ground peanuts but they get it super creamy.
Estelle says
Everyone in my family low carbing or not, love these clusters! I make it on a weekly basis and have added amonds and walnuts if peanut supply was low and it was just as good, so easy and so fast to make and ready in under an hour. Thanks for such a simple uncomplicated recipe!
Nicki says
These were amazing but I did not make them low carb. I used regular chocolate chips and crushed almonds. They were amazing!!
Michelle says
Hi carolyn. .what other nuts can we use instead of peanuts…
Carolyn says
Anything you like!
Karen says
#4 !!! You cracked me UPPP. Agreed. Do NOT make me anything unless you clean up after your own damn self. And these peanut clusters are making their way into our date night/Netflix watching, Mother’s Day not withstanding. YUM.
Suzanne says
Vitacost sells these bars for $3.73 apiece. $6.00 cheaper than here.
My HEB sells them for $1.99.
Gillian says
I am delighted to come across your site I am a diabetic type 2 and constantly on the hunt for food that I can safely eat
Abby says
Is the nutritional info. for the whole batch ??
Patty says
Duh…no way. Just tally the info on the labels of your 3 ingredients, then divide by the number of clusters you make.
Carolyn says
No, per cluster.
Kim says
OOOOh, I made this with a whole bag of Lily’s dark chips for a plane ride and they were wonderful. I froze them first and they held up all day…thank you for the milk chocolate recipe…def going to make these.
Trina Horvath says
Did u add any cocoa butter to make the clusters more stable?
Cindy Brewer says
I have pinned the peanut recipes that you have emailed. My question is do you have a go-to brand of peanut butter that I can purchase?
Carolyn says
Justin’s is a good sugar free one!
Heather says
How do you feel about Smucker’s Naturals… less sugar, lower price. 🙂
Carolyn says
Sure, it would be just fine.