Crunchy Banana Walnut Brittle Recipe: Sweet Homemade Magic

Sweet cravings for banana walnut brittle often strike when least expected, sending taste buds into a delightful spiral of anticipation.

Memories of caramel-coated nuts dancing with ripe banana essence can transport you to childhood kitchens filled with warmth.

Crisp, golden shards of this delectable treat promise a symphony of textures that crackle and melt simultaneously.

Crafting this confection requires minimal ingredients but delivers maximum satisfaction with each delicate bite.

Precise temperature control transforms simple components into a magical blend of sweet, nutty perfection.

Impressing guests with a homemade delicacy that looks sophisticated yet comes together in mere minutes.

You’ll become the dessert hero who transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary masterpiece.

Why Banana Walnut Brittle Is Crunchy, Sweet, and Irresistible

• Burst of Tropical Sweetness: Experience a delightful combination of caramelized sugar, crunchy walnuts, and intense banana flavor that dances on your taste buds with each bite.
• Quick and Foolproof Candy Crafting: Master a professional-looking candy recipe that requires minimal ingredients and basic kitchen skills, perfect for home cooks seeking a simple yet impressive treat.
• Textural Wonderland: Enjoy an incredible contrast between the glass-like brittle, the crunch of toasted walnuts, and the intense dried banana crumbles that create a multi-dimensional sensory experience.
• Make-Ahead Party Pleaser: Prepare this versatile brittle in advance, store easily for up to two weeks, and wow guests with a homemade gourmet candy that looks and tastes like a professional confection.

Everything Needed for Banana Walnut Brittle

• Sugar: Sweet foundation for the brittle, creates caramelized structure.
• Corn Syrup: Prevents sugar crystallization, provides smooth texture.
• Water: Helps dissolve sugar and create initial syrup.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, rich background flavor.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps smooth the brittle's texture.
• Baking Soda: Creates light, airy texture and helps prevent burning.

• Walnuts: Crunchy nut that adds depth and nutty flavor, best when fresh and toasted.
• Freeze-Dried Bananas: Concentrated banana flavor with crisp texture, adds natural sweetness.

How to Prepare Banana Walnut Brittle Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prepare the Workspace

Grab a baking sheet and create a non-stick surface by laying down parchment paper or a silicone mat. This will make your brittle removal super smooth.

Step 2: Roast Nutty Goodness

Warm up a skillet over medium heat. Toss in walnuts and gently move them around. Listen for a gentle sizzle and breathe in the rich, toasty aroma. Once they’re golden and fragrant, remove from heat.

Step 3: Create Caramel Magic

• Sugar
• Corn syrup
• Water

Heat the mixture, stirring until sugar completely dissolves. Let it bubble and dance without touching it. Watch carefully until it reaches a deep golden color and hits the hard-crack stage on a candy thermometer.

Step 4: Boost the Flavor

• Butter
• Baking soda
• Vanilla extract

The mixture will go crazy and bubble wildly – this is totally normal!

Step 5: Fold in Crunchy Elements

• Crumbled freeze-dried bananas
• Toasted walnuts

Ensure everything gets a perfect coating of caramel goodness.

Step 6: Spread the Deliciousness

Quickly pour the mixture onto your prepared baking sheet. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly. Work fast – this stuff sets quickly!

Step 7: Let It Cool

Allow the brittle to rest at room temperature. It’ll transform from a molten liquid to a crispy, crunchy treat in about 30 minutes.

Step 8: Break and Enjoy

Once completely cooled, crack the brittle into irregular, mouth-watering pieces. Store in an airtight container and enjoy within two weeks – if it lasts that long!

Pro Tip: This treat is perfect for gifting or treating yourself to a sweet, nutty crunch.

Banana Walnut Brittle Tips You’ll Want to Know

• Prep Surface Smartly: Use parchment paper or silicone mat to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the brittle without tearing.
• Toast Walnuts Perfectly: Watch carefully while toasting to enhance nutty flavor without burning, stirring constantly for even golden-brown color.
• Monitor Sugar Temperature Precisely: Use a candy thermometer to hit exactly 300F, which guarantees the right brittle consistency and prevents burning.
• Work Swiftly When Adding Ingredients: Move quickly when stirring butter, baking soda, and vanilla to prevent scorching and ensure smooth, even mixture.
• Store Strategically: Keep brittle in an airtight container away from humidity to maintain crunchiness and prevent softening.

Keep Banana Walnut Brittle Fresh Longer

• Refrigerate: Store banana walnut brittle in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep at room temperature for maximum crispness and flavor preservation.
• Freeze: Wrap brittle tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Properly sealed, it can maintain quality for up to 1 month without losing its signature crunch.
• Thaw: Remove frozen brittle from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving, which can make the candy soft and chewy.
• Revive: If the brittle becomes slightly sticky, place it in a preheated oven at 250°F for 5 minutes to restore its crisp texture. Cool completely before enjoying.

Perfect Matches for Banana Walnut Brittle

• Pair with Creamy Caramel Latte: Complement the sweet and nutty brittle with a rich, smooth caramel latte. The coffee's warmth and creamy texture balance the brittle's crunch and intense banana-walnut flavor.
• Match with Smooth Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of velvety vanilla bean ice cream alongside the brittle. The cold, creamy dessert provides a delightful contrast to the brittle's crisp texture and adds a luxurious touch.
• Enjoy with Aged Rum Cocktail: Sip on a well-crafted aged rum cocktail that echoes the caramelized notes in the brittle. The rum's deep, complex flavors will enhance the dessert's rich, toasted elements.
• Combine with Spiced Chai Tea: Brew a warming chai tea with its aromatic spices. The tea's cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger notes will beautifully complement the banana and walnut brittle's sweet, nutty profile.

Tasty Variations of Banana Walnut Brittle

• Nutty Banana Crunch: Swap walnuts with pecans and add a sprinkle of sea salt for an extra savory kick. The sea salt enhances the caramel's sweetness and provides a delightful contrast.
• Chocolate Banana Brittle: Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled brittle for a rich, decadent version. The chocolate complements the banana's natural sweetness perfectly.
• Spiced Tropical Brittle: Mix in ground cinnamon and a hint of ground ginger during the sugar cooking process. These warm spices create a complex flavor profile that elevates the traditional brittle.
• Coconut Banana Crisp: Fold in toasted coconut flakes alongside the walnuts for a tropical-inspired variation. The coconut adds extra crunch and a subtle tropical essence to the brittle.

Banana Walnut Brittle FAQs

• Why use freeze-dried bananas in this brittle recipe?

Freeze-dried bananas provide intense banana flavor without adding moisture, which helps maintain the brittle’s crisp texture and prevents sugar crystallization.

• Can I make this recipe without a candy thermometer?

While a candy thermometer ensures precise temperature, experienced cooks can use the cold water test. Drop a small amount of hot sugar mixture into cold water – if it forms hard, brittle threads, it’s ready.

• What makes this brittle different from traditional brittle?

This recipe combines the classic crisp sugar base with unique ingredients like freeze-dried bananas and toasted walnuts, creating a more complex and interesting flavor profile compared to standard peanut or plain sugar brittles.

• Is this brittle recipe considered gluten-free?

Yes, all the ingredients in this banana walnut brittle are naturally gluten-free, making it a safe and delicious treat for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Banana Walnut Brittle Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Crunchy banana walnut brittle delivers a symphony of caramelized sweetness and nutty depth. Rich, golden layers of candied bananas and toasted walnuts create an irresistible treat you cannot stop nibbling.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (100 g) walnuts, chopped and toasted
• ½ cup (120 g) freeze-dried banana slices, crumbled

Liquid and Binding Ingredients:

• ½ cup (120 ml) light corn syrup
• ¼ cup (60 ml) water
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Flavoring and Finishing Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare a flat, non-stick surface by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
2. Toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, gently stirring to release their aromatic oils and develop a rich, nutty flavor. Remove from heat once they emit a warm, toasted fragrance.
3. Create a caramel base by combining sugar, corn syrup, and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Heat gently, stirring until sugar completely dissolves, then increase temperature to generate a rolling boil without further stirring.
4. Monitor the sugar mixture carefully using a candy thermometer until it reaches the precise hard-crack stage at 300°F, indicating a transformative caramelization point.
5. Swiftly remove the saucepan from heat and incorporate butter, which will cause an immediate vigorous bubbling reaction. Quickly add baking soda and vanilla extract to enhance flavor and texture.
6. Fold crumbled freeze-dried bananas and pre-toasted walnuts into the molten caramel, ensuring every fragment becomes thoroughly coated with the golden syrup.
7. Immediately pour the blazing mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, using a spatula to spread it uniformly and thinly across the surface before it begins to solidify.
8. Allow the brittle to cool completely at room temperature, which typically takes approximately 30 minutes. Once fully hardened, fragment the sheet into irregular, rustic pieces.
9. Transfer the brittle fragments to an airtight container, where they can maintain their crisp texture and complex flavor profile for up to two weeks when stored at room temperature.

Notes

• Manage moisture carefully when working with sugar syrup to prevent crystallization, which can ruin the brittle’s texture.
• Use a candy thermometer for precise temperature control, ensuring the perfect hard-crack stage for a crisp, shatter-able brittle.
• Wear heat-resistant gloves or use long utensils when handling the hot sugar mixture to protect yourself from potential burns.
• Quickly spread the mixture on the baking sheet to achieve an even, thin layer that breaks into delicate, crisp pieces.
• Experiment with alternative mix-ins like dried fruits, different nuts, or chocolate chips to create unique flavor combinations.
• For a gluten-free version, double-check that all ingredients, especially vanilla extract and corn syrup, are certified gluten-free.
• Prevent humidity from softening the brittle by storing in a cool, dry place with a moisture-absorbing packet.
• Create a vegan alternative by substituting butter with coconut oil and using plant-based sweeteners.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 17 g
• Sodium: 10 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg