If you’re like me and have a serious sweet tooth, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Crockpot Chocolate Peanut Candy Recipe. It’s one of those delightful treats that’s so easy to throw together yet makes you look like a total candy-making pro. The melty chocolate, the crunchy peanuts, and that surprising little hit of mini marshmallows—oh my, it’s a party in your mouth! Stick around because I’m sharing all the tips and tricks to make sure your candy turns out perfectly every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Candy Making: You just dump ingredients into the crockpot and let it do the magic—no candy thermometer needed.
- Perfect Texture: The peanuts stay super crunchy while the chocolate melts silky smooth, and the marshmallows add a fun, pillowy bite.
- Great for Gifting: This recipe makes a big batch, perfect for sharing with friends or holiday gifts.
- Family Favorite: My kids and I can’t get enough—this candy disappears fast whenever I make it!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together beautifully to give you that sweet, salty, and creamy candy that everyone will crave. Grab good quality chocolate and salted peanuts—they really make the flavor pop.

- Lightly salted dry roasted peanuts: The perfect crunch and just the right touch of salt to balance the sweetness.
- Vanilla almond bark: This melts smoothly and adds a lovely vanilla hint; breaking it into pieces helps it melt evenly.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: Adds rich, classic chocolate flavor that’s not too bitter or too sweet.
- Dark chocolate bar: I love using 60% dark chocolate (Ghirardelli is my go-to) for a deeper, richer flavor layer.
- Mini marshmallows: They give this candy a fun texture contrast without overwhelming the chocolate or peanuts.
- Sprinkles (optional): Adds a pop of color if you’re feeling festive or want to make it extra special.
Variations
I love making this recipe my own by switching things up based on what I have on hand or the occasion. Feel free to experiment—you’ll be surprised how versatile this candy is!
- Nut substitution: Once, I swapped peanuts for salted cashews, and it gave the candy a softer bite that my family adored.
- Nut-free version: I’ve made this with sunflower seeds for a nut-free option—same great chocolate and marshmallow combo!
- Spicy kick: Adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chocolate melts gives the candy a subtle, exciting heat.
- Extra crunch: Mixing in crushed pretzels on top before it sets adds unbeatable salty crunch.
How to Make Crockpot Chocolate Peanut Candy Recipe
Step 1: Layer Your Ingredients in the Crockpot
Start by evenly spreading the lightly salted dry roasted peanuts at the bottom of your crockpot. Then scatter the broken pieces of vanilla almond bark, semisweet chocolate chips, and dark chocolate bar on top. This layering helps the chocolate melt evenly and keeps your peanuts nice and crunchy.
Step 2: Cook Low and Slow for an Hour
Pop the lid on and set your crockpot to low heat. Let everything melt slowly for about an hour. This hands-off cooking means you can be doing other things—trust me, the slow melt is key to silky chocolate without burning.
Step 3: Stir and Finish Melting
After an hour, remove the lid and stir gently but thoroughly. If you notice any unmelted pieces of chocolate still hanging around, keep the crockpot uncovered and stir every 10 minutes until everything is glossy and smooth—this usually takes another 15 to 30 minutes.
Step 4: Mix In Mini Marshmallows
Turn off the heat and let the candy cool for about 5 minutes—that’s important! Then add the mini marshmallows and stir carefully just to coat them. You want the marshmallows to keep their shape, so don’t over-stir or they’ll melt too much.
Step 5: Scoop and Decorate
Grab a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop (or two big spoons if you don’t have one) and drop heaping scoops onto a wax paper-lined cookie sheet. If you want, sprinkle a few colorful sprinkles on top for a festive touch. Let your candy set at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes until firm.
Step 6: Enjoy and Store
Once set, you can dig in! Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, and I promise you, you’ll want to hide them because they disappear quickly around here.
Pro Tips for Making Crockpot Chocolate Peanut Candy Recipe
- Use Quality Chocolate: I learned the hard way that higher quality chocolate melts better and tastes richer in this recipe, so don’t skimp here.
- Don’t Rush the Cooling: Letting the candy set at room temp ensures the perfect firm texture; popping it in the fridge speeds up setting but sometimes makes it a bit sticky.
- Stir Gently with Marshmallows: I once stressed marshmallows melting away, but a light stir right after turning off heat preserves their fun fluffiness.
- Avoid Overcrowding the Scoop: If your scoops are too big or crowded on the tray, the candy won’t set evenly, so give each piece some breathing room.
How to Serve Crockpot Chocolate Peanut Candy Recipe

Garnishes
I keep it simple with rainbow sprinkles because they brighten up the candy and add a little crunch. Sometimes, I sprinkle flaky sea salt on top too, which creates that unbeatable salty-sweet combo I just can’t resist.
Side Dishes
This candy is pretty rich on its own, but it pairs wonderfully alongside a fresh fruit platter or a cup of hot coffee or tea—it’s a lovely contrast to the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays, I like to place my candy scoops into mini cupcake liners, then arrange them in decorative tins or mason jars tied with ribbons. It looks so cute and makes for heartfelt gifts! I also once dropped them onto edible gold leaf paper for a fancy dinner party touch—super fun and unexpected.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover candy in airtight containers on the counter; it keeps beautifully for up to two weeks without losing that chocolatey goodness. Just make sure it’s cool and dry to avoid any sticky situations.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these candies wrapped individually in wax paper and then placed in a freezer bag. When thawed at room temperature, they taste just as fresh and delicious as the day I made them—such a lifesaver when you want to prepare treats in advance.
Reheating
If you find your chilled or frozen candy is a bit firm, let it sit at room temp for 20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving, as it can cause the marshmallows to melt unevenly or chocolate to bloom (you know, that white film on chocolate surface).
FAQs
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Can I use different nuts instead of peanuts in the Crockpot Chocolate Peanut Candy Recipe?
Absolutely! While peanuts are classic for their salty crunch, you can substitute with cashews, almonds, or even pecans depending on your preference. Just keep in mind the roasting level—dry roasted salted nuts work best to balance the chocolate’s sweetness.
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How long does this candy take to set in the crockpot?
The cooking time on low heat is about one to one and a half hours for the chocolate to melt thoroughly. After scooping, letting the candy set at room temperature usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your kitchen’s temperature and humidity.
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Can I skip the mini marshmallows if I don’t have any?
Yes, you can skip the marshmallows altogether. The candy will still be delicious, just missing that soft, chewy contrast. Alternatively, try adding chopped dried fruit for a different texture if you want to keep some variation.
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Is it necessary to use the almond bark in this recipe?
Using almond bark helps the candy set firmly and contributes to a smooth, creamy texture. While you can experiment with just chocolate, almond bark stabilizes the mixture and makes scooping easier without melting too quickly.
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How should I store leftover Crockpot Chocolate Peanut Candy?
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, away from heat or humidity. This keeps the candy fresh and prevents the chocolate from melting or the marshmallows from becoming too sticky.
Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Chocolate Peanut Candy Recipe has become a go-to for me whenever I want an easy, crowd-pleasing sweet that feels homemade without hours of effort. I love how the crockpot does most of the work, giving me more time to relax (or sneak a few tastes!). Whether you’re whipping this up for a party, holiday, or just because, I’m sure you’ll love the balance of flavors and textures as much as my family does. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite candy recipe!
Print
Crockpot Chocolate Peanut Candy Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 50 pieces
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A simple and delicious crockpot candy recipe combining roasted peanuts, rich vanilla almond bark, semisweet and dark chocolates, and mini marshmallows for a delightful, sweet treat that’s perfect for sharing or gift-giving.
Ingredients
Peanuts
- 4 cups lightly salted dry roasted peanuts
Chocolate
- 2 lbs vanilla almond bark, broken into pieces
- 1 (12 oz) bag semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 (4 oz) dark chocolate bar, broken into pieces (60% cacao recommended)
Other
- 4-5 cups mini marshmallows (about 1 cup shy of a 10 oz bag)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Layer Ingredients: Evenly spread the lightly salted dry roasted peanuts at the bottom of your crockpot. Then add the broken vanilla almond bark, semisweet chocolate chips, and dark chocolate bar pieces on top of the peanuts in layers.
- Start Cooking: Cover the crockpot with the lid and cook on low heat for one hour to allow the chocolate and almond bark to begin melting and infuse with the peanuts.
- Stir and Melt Completely: After one hour, remove the lid and stir the mixture well to combine. If some chocolate pieces remain unmelted, continue cooking uncovered on low heat, stirring occasionally for an additional 15 to 30 minutes until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
- Add Marshmallows: Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool for 5 minutes. Then gently fold in the mini marshmallows, stirring briefly just to coat them with the melted chocolate while maintaining their shape — avoid over-stirring to prevent marshmallows from melting completely.
- Form Candy Pieces: Using a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop or two large spoons, scoop the chocolate peanut mixture in heaping amounts onto wax paper-lined cookie sheets. This recipe makes a large batch, so multiple cookie sheets may be required.
- Optional Decoration: Sprinkle the candy with sprinkles if desired, immediately after scooping while the mixture is still soft.
- Set and Store: Allow the candy to set at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes until firm. Store the finished candy in an airtight container at room temperature to keep fresh.
Notes
- Do not over-stir after adding marshmallows to keep their shape and texture.
- Use wax paper or parchment paper on cookie sheets for easy removal.
- Sprinkles are optional and add a festive touch but can be omitted.
- If chocolate isn’t fully melted after the initial hour, continue slow cooking and stirring to avoid burning.
- Store candies in a cool, dry place to avoid melting or stickiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg

