Make this easy Crock Pot Chocolate Peanut Clusters Recipe with peanuts, chocolate, and simple ingredients for a sweet, no-bake treat everyone will love.
Crock Pot Chocolate Peanut Clusters are a simple, no-bake treat that comes together with just a few ingredients. Creamy chocolate and crunchy peanuts combine to make bite-sized clusters that are perfect for snacking, gifting, or satisfying a sweet craving.
Using a crock pot makes the process hands-off and easy, ensuring the chocolate melts evenly without the risk of burning. These clusters are quick to assemble, fun to make with kids, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for parties or holiday gatherings.
It is one of the 85 Best Chocolate Desserts. You might also like Crock Pot Christmas Candy Recipe for another great recipe during the holiday season.
It is one of the absolute best desserts and you are going to go crazy over these. I also make Homemade Twix Bars Recipe and Hard Candy Recipe.
Table of contents
Why We Love This
- No-Bake Convenience – Made entirely in the crock pot, no oven needed or stovetop for the easiest candy recipe.
- Simple Ingredients – Just peanuts, chocolate, and a few pantry staples.
- Quick and Easy – Minimal prep time, perfect for busy days.
- Kid-Friendly – Fun and safe to make with children.
- Perfect for Gifting – Great for holiday treats, party favors, or sweet snacks.
- Customizable – Swap peanuts for other nuts or mix in candy for variety in these Crock Pot Peanut Clusters.
Ingredients
- Lightly Salted Dry Roasted Peanuts – Provides crunch and a balanced sweet-salty flavor.
- Semisweet Chocolate Chips – Classic chocolate base for rich flavor.
- Milk Chocolate Chips – Adds creamy sweetness and blends well with semisweet chocolate.
- Peanut Butter Chips – Enhances the peanut flavor and adds a smooth texture.
- White Almond Bark – Optional for drizzling or coating, adds a sweet contrast.
Variations
- Nut Swap – Replace peanuts with almonds, cashews, or pecans for a different flavor and crunch.
- Chocolate Choices – Use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or a mix of to suit your taste.
- Add-Ins – Mix in M&Ms, crushed pretzels, toffee bits, or dried fruit for extra texture and flavor.
- Nut-Free Option – Use sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or roasted chickpeas instead of peanuts.
- Drizzle Ideas – Finish with melted white chocolate, caramel, or peanut butter for a decorative touch.
- Spicy Twist – Add a pinch of cayenne or chili powder to the chocolate for a sweet-and-spicy version.
- Holiday Themes – Use colored candy melts, sprinkles, or festive toppings for seasonal celebrations. I love to add sprinkles to the top of the clusters.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1. Layer all of the ingredients in a crock pot including stirring in the salty peanuts.
Step 2. Then top with the almond bark.
Step 3. Melt ingredients in slow cooker on low. Make sure to stir every 15-20 minutes to ensure that chocolate does not burn on the bottom of the crock pot.
Step 4. Once combined, use a spoon or a cookie scoop to scoop little clusters onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper.
- Step 5. Put in the refrigerator or allow them to sit at room temperature until the chocolate has completely set. It usually takes about 1-2 hours.
Storage
Room Temperature – Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Keep them in a cool place to prevent the chocolate from melting.
Refrigerator – For longer freshness, store in a sealed container for up to 1 month. Allow clusters to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Freezer – Place clusters in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Expert Tips
- Use a Crock Pot Liner – Makes cleanup easy and prevents sticking.
- Low and Slow – Keep the crock pot on low heat to melt chocolate evenly without burning.
- Stir Frequently – Stir every few minutes to ensure all chocolate chips and peanut butter chips melt smoothly.
- Portion Quickly – Use a spoon or small cookie scoop to form clusters before the chocolate sets.
- Add Mix-Ins Last – Fold in peanuts and any other add-ins after chocolate is fully melted for even coating.
- Optional Drizzle – Melt white almond bark separately for a decorative drizzle over the clusters.
More Crock Pot Desserts
- Crock Pot Better Than Sex Cake
- Crock pot Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
- Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe
Try More Easy Candy Recipes
- Easy Microwave Fudge Recipe
- Chocolate Turtles
- Saltine Cracker Toffee
- Quick and Easy Rolo Pretzels
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
Try this Slow Cooker Peanut Clusters recipe today and see how easy it is to make a sweet, crunchy treat! Don’t forget to share your creations, leave a comment, and rate the recipe to let others know how much you enjoyed it.
Crock Pot Chocolate Peanut Clusters
Ingredients
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Layer all the ingredients in a crock pot with the almond bark on top.
- Cook on low for 1 hour.
- Stir every 15-20 minutes to ensure that chocolate does not burn on the bottom of the crock pot.
- Once all ingredients are melted, stir thoroughly to combine.
- Use a spoon or a cookie scoop to scoop clusters onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper. Put in the refrigerator or all them to sit at room temperature until the chocolate has completely set (usually 1-2 hours).
- Store the clusters in a airtight container or ziplock bag in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
Once set, do you have to keep candy refrigerated?
You didn’t say way to set the crock pot on, do you cook them on high?
I cook this recipe on low. Thank you!
I do this every year last year I throw Caramel bits in. Everyone loved them
Oh, I love that idea! Sounds delicious!
when you say you added caramel bits, do you mean just cutting up little caramel squares? And how many do you add?
I don’t refrigerate mine.
What can I use instead of almond bark. Thanks
You can use white chocolate chips or white chocolate candy melts instead of the almond bark.
What kind of peanuts do you use–Virginia peanuts, dry-roasted peanuts, peanuts with the skins still on??
I used unsalted dry-roasted peanuts. Thank you!
Hi CARRIE…I JUST FINISHED MAKING THESE DELIGHTS…IN MY WILDEST DREAMS I NEVER THOUGHT THAT ONE BATCH WOULD MAKE SO MANY CLUSTERS..I HAVE 5 COOKIE SHEETS FULL…PLUS ONE PLATTER…I JUST CHECKED THE RECIPE TO BE SURE I DID IT RIGHT…I DID…BUT IT MIGHT BE A GOOD TO MENTION HOW MANY IT MAKES..I HAVE TONS, AND I MEAN TONS…..THANKS….
We can definitely clarify that in the recipe. Thank you!
Can I make this recipe with cashews instead?!!
Yes, I think that would work great. Thanks!
I love making sweets for Christmas. Get you some small tins and give your Peanut Clusters to family and friends! They will love it!
Great idea! Thanks for sharing Shirley!
Do you put lid on crock pot or cook uncovered?
Yes, you put the lid on the crock pot.
Here you say you use unsalted peanuts,but your recipe says lightly salted. 🤷♀️
Here’s a suggestion for an alternate based on a popular local candy. Substitute broken pretzels for the peanuts! Break them up so the pieces are roughly the same size as the peanuts would be and sub in an equivalent amount. You still get the salty sweet combo with the crunch from the pretzels. Pretzel clusters were an option on a school fundraiser sheet, along with chocolate covered pretzels, but I always ordered the clusters. A student once asked why I got the clusters, and my answer was simple – more chocolate!
Love this idea! Thank you so much for sharing!
I was thinking of adding raisins and it would be like a chunky bar.. pretzels and peanuts mmm.
Oh that sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing John!
can i use something else besides almond bark?
I haven’t tried it, but white chocolate chips might work as well. If you try it, let us know how it turns out. Thank you!
What is white almond bark?
It’s vanilla flavored candy coating that is found in the baking aisle at most grocery stores. You can use white chocolate chips as well if almond bark is not available in your area.
Walmart has the Almond Bark on the same aisle as the chocolate chips.
Yes, thank you so much!
Hello ,, I ha e this recipe from a coworker and I have made it a few times .. My recipe tells me to place the peanuts first in the slow cooker amd then layer the other ingredients.. Don’t stir let everything melt amd then stir at the end . Drop by teaspoons amd let set …? The peanut seam to roast a little smells like .. lol it turns out really good .. Oh also I play wth it sometimes and add dry cranberries or raisins to it ..
Thanks for sharing your tips! I love your ideas!
These are not inexpensive to make, but make a LOT. I get about 6 dozen using a 2 tablespoon scoop.
I combine all the ingredients in a large pot that is oven-safe and melt in a 250 F. oven for about an hour – stirring every 20 minutes.
Drop on parchment-lined baking sheets; let set for several hours and then freeze, with layers separated by parchment (I rip up the stuff used to line the baking sheets.)
They would be good sprinkled with a little flaky sea salt.
I going to try it with pecans
Let me know how it turns out! Sounds delicious!
Can you use fruit
I haven’t tried that before but I think it might get too soft in the crock pot. If you try it, let us know how it turns out. Thank you!
do you need to put a paper towel under the lid of the crock pot? Does it develop moisture that would seize up the chocolate?
I didn’t have any issues with moisture building up on the lid of the crock pot. Thank you!
I’m not a fan of peanut butter chips. Do I need to replace them for consistency? Can I do all chocolate? These look delicious.
I haven’t tried it but I think it would be fine to just leave them out. The other chocolates should be enough to create the clusters. Thank you!
I used German Chocolate instead of the peanut butter chips
Yum! I bet that was amazing! Thank you for sharing!
Try butterscotch chips in place of peanut butter chips.
That sounds like a great idea!
I have always made these with bittersweet chocolate chips and butterscotch chips. Delicious!!!!
That sounds delicious!
WHAT SIZE CROCK POT? THIS SEEMS LIKE A LOT FOR MY SMALL ONE.
I used a 4 quart crock pot for this recipe and it worked great. That’s probably the smallest size that I would use or you can reduce all the ingredients in 1/2. Thank you!
Can you use dark almond bark instead of the white?
I haven’t tried that before but I bet it would work great!
Hi Carrie, does the almond bark actually have almonds in it?
The bulk store gave me the big squares of just white chocolate when I asked for the white chocolate almond bark. If so, should I get some almonds to add to it?
Thanks in advance 😊
No it does not. It sounds like you got the right stuff. Enjoy this recipe!
How long will these keep in an airtight container in the fridge?
Also do you think you could freeze them?
Thanks
These will last for 2-3 weeks when stored in the refrigerator and yes, you can definitely freeze them as well. I recommend defrosting them in the refrigerator instead of at room temperature so that they do not get condensation on them. Thank you!
Why do they need to be stored in the fridge? I see nothing in them that would go bad.
I have trouble with the chocolate softening or melting when left out at room temperature. Thank you!
Can you just use semi sweet chocolate?
I haven’t tried that before but I think it would have a completely different flavor. If you try it out, please let us know how it turns out!
can you use cashews instead of peanuts in the recipe?
Yes, I think that would be delicious!
Can you use marshmallows?
I haven’t tried that before but I think it would work and taste delicious!
I have did these last year! They are excellent everyone loves them! I also did some with marsh mallows and they came out really good also!
Is there a KETO version of this recipe?
I haven’t tried a keto version yet. You could switch out the chocolate with a Keto alternative (sugar-free chocolate chips). If you try it, come back and let us know how they turn out!
Would honey roasted peanuts work??? That’s what i bought not realizing it
Yes, I think they’ll work great!
I just made them, I added some dark chocolate chips, they turned out amazing, great recipe
I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
We LOVE this recipe and so does everyone that tastes it. They ask for me to bring it all the time. Question though, has anyone ever just stirred in some peanut butter instead of peanut butter chips? They are hard to find! And to someone elses comment, I have used white chocolate chips instead of almond bark and cannot tell a difference
Hey Sarah – Peanut butter chips are solid and help the clusters firm up. Peanut butter is softer, so make sure you use a thick peanut butter if you try this substitution.
Has anyone made these with almonds?
I haven’t yet but I think that would be delicious!
How many almond bark blocks for 24 oz? Thank you
I believe each square is 2 oz, so 12 of the blocks with equal 24 oz. Thank you!
For the Peanut Clusters can you cook them in a slow cooker? If yes, does the amount of time you need to cook change? Would it be better to cook on low, hi or auto?
Yes, this recipe is to make this in a slow cooker. I cook them on low for 1 hour.
From a flavor standpoint, these are very good. They are mildly chocolate. I would enjoy the with dark chocolate and there is no reason why it should not work.
To avoid peanut dust that might create grittiness, I dumped the peanuts into a fine strainer and shook out the dust. 32 ounces of peanuts is about 9 cups.
I was unable to find a 12 ounce bag of peanut butter chips so added an additional 1/4 cup to the 10 ounce bag to yield 12 ounces (about 1 1/2 cups.) It was unnecessary. The recipe would have been fine with the 10 ounce bag.
I set my slow cooker for 1 hour and the chocolate was just starting to melt; they ended up taking 2 1/2 hours to completely melt, but they were hands off, except for an occasional stir.
I lined baking sheets with parchment and using a 2 tablespoon scoop, made eighty clusters. They are not small. I allowed them to set up on the counter overnight before packaging.
If I make these again, I’ll likely cut the recipe in half, as eighty is a lot. Lots of neighbors will be getting a package of them for Christmas. It’s not a bad problem to have.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and tips.
I can’t find peanut butter chips, just peanut butter chips with chocolate on them. If I use those would I need to cut back on some of the other chocolate? Or can I use peanut butter?
You can use peanut butter or just use the chips that you found. I wouldn’t worry about cutting back on the other chocolate as the more chocolate the better in my opinion 🙂
How much peanut butter?
I would use 1 cup – Thanks!
I couldn’t find the almond bark. Can these be made without it?
Yes, I think you can definitely make it without it or you can use white chocolate chips instead.
I am a guy who’s 76 and love to cook. I have never had a candy this good. It’s perfect just as the recipe says. We can’t stop eating them. They are delicious, the absolute best! No, you can’t buy anything like this. All of my family loves them. I just made up a recipe sheet for your Rice Krispie Treats and am making then for Christmas. Thanks, John B
Thank you so much for sharing! This just made my day! 🙂
Can I use unsalted peanuts? Couldn’t find lightly salted. Should I use salt in place if using unsalted peanuts?
Yes, you can definitely use unsalted peanuts. You can add a small amount of salt to the recipe as well – I would do 1/2 tsp of Salt. Thanks!
I just found SALTED CARAMEL chips I love them I’m thinking those instead of peanut butter and they would compensate for the unsalted peanuts
Sounds delicious! Let us know how it turns out.
This is a Great Recipe.EZ and fast. I used cashews in mine and added Freeze Dried Cranberries and Some Pretzels to give it a bit of salt and crunch. I did find that the Full recipe yields 8 Dozen Candies and it takes about an hour longer and tends to dry it out making it hard to work with. I them Halved the Recipe and it makes 4 Dozen and only took an hour and was much easier to work with ! Thanks !!
I’m glad you enjoyed it and thanks for sharing your suggestions!
I made your peanut clusters last night they are amazing. Thank you for all the amazing recipes. You all are the best.
I absolutely love this recipe!! It was so easy to make and I gave it away as Christmas gifts!!
This was SO easy and SO SO delicious!
Made this for Christmas gifts this year. I added toffee bits at the end. So yummy and a breeze to make.
These are so easy and DELICIOUS!!
Wow! This was a huge hit in our house and with the family and friends we gifted it to. I’ve had so many requests for the recipe. Best part is how easy it is to throw together! Makes an easy, yummy gift and I love that you can use really whatever kind of nuts you want for this.
I made these yesterday for family and they were a hit. They did not take any time at all to make and were delightful. I will definitely make them every year from now on. I glad I found this recipe.
Made them for gift baskets everyone loved them
These were amazingly easy to make! On top of that they were a hit! Soooo good! You need to try them and make them now! What are you waiting for?!?!
My son and I made these this year after watching a post on Instagram they were so good! We are loving them. We will keep this in our yearly recipe todo!
These are so good and make a lot
Hello, my candy was delicious but the color was not as brown as I would have liked. I wondered if it was the brand of Almond Bark that I used since we have to use so much of it. Would you mind sharing which brand of almond bark you used? Thanks!
I used a Great Value brand of bark for this recipe.
These are my new go to for pot luck gatherings. This recipe is so easy and people who don’t usually like sweets love them as much as chocoholics (like me)! Thank you for this easy and “chocolatey deliciousness” recipe!
Can these be frozen?
Yes, these freeze great for 3-6 months!
Hi there. I am going to try this, but with cashews. Do I have to spray the crock pot before starting with the layer of cashews? I can’t wait. Thanks for the recipe. 🙂 🙂
I did not spray the crock pot when making this recipe.
Super addicting and my husband said it taste very gourmet. Will make this every year now!
This was my first time and a very big hit.
Super easy to make too.
I love love love this recipe its super easy I got all my ingredients from dollar general my whole family love them im making another batch tonight, thanks so much for sharing
can’t wait to make these!
I don’t use a crockpot. I use a double boiler to melt my chocolate. So much faster! I melt almond bark first, throw in chips and pour over my peanuts in a separate bowl. Works every time!
This has become my go-to recipe!! I love them with a bit of sea salt on top, and have used butterscotch as opposed to peanut butter chips, and also cashews. You can’t go wrong trying different things!! I am wondering about adding a bit of paraffin wax to the mix to maybe keep it less melty/messy when storing and eating at room temp? I looked through the comments and didn’t see that mentioned…
I haven’t tried adding paraffin wax before so I’m not sure if that would work. I usually just store these in the refrigerator and don’t have any issues with it.
This was great. Could not find white bark so I just used white chocolate chips, turned out delicious.
I have not been able to find PB chips in any of my local supermarkets! Do you think I could use regular PB from a jar???
Yes, I would stir in 1 cup of peanut butter.
Love this recipe!!! Easy to make, quick, tastes great and makes LOT. Great for Christmas gifting coworkers and neighbors.
Can I use chocolate bark instead of the almond bark?
Lisa – I haven’t tested that yet but I think it would work great in this recipe!
Hey carre can I use mm,s in the crockpot peanut clusters candy my husband can’t get peanuts 🥜 thank you Wendy
Hey Wendy – I think M&Ms will melt in the crock pot. You can use any type of nuts to replace the peanuts in this recipe.
I am sad. The peanut butter chips do not come in 12 oz any longer. Only 10 oz.
I think the 10 ounces will still work great in this recipe!
Can you use butterscotch chips in place of the peanut butter chips
Diane – Great question! Yes, you can substitute with butterscotch chips, but it will change the flavor, and butterscotch will make the recipe sweeter.
These are great! BUT it makes too many and you can’t freeze chocolate, best to cut recipe in half.
I’m glad you enjoyed them Debbie! Thank you so much for the positive review. I have frozen the leftovers on this before and they do freeze great!
These crockpot chocolate peanut clusters look so easy and absolutely delicious.
I was looking for an easy candy to make for family and friends. This is absolutely delicious and so simple! Can’t wait to share! Thank you
Yes, Deborah! I’m so glad you found this easy recipe. It’s simple to make and so delicious too! Everyone loves these clusters. Thank you for sharing and for the positive review!
What really makes this is the combination of the different chocolate types. This recipe makes a lot. The entire family loved them.
Thank you so much! We love it too! I appreciate your comment!
Good morning Carrie, can I break the dishes in half instead of using a 9×13 pan pan for the blue berries dish that you were talking about? I think it was the blueberry dumplings cake. We have to have something small for the volunteers that help us volunteer at the food pantry.
We don’t have enough room in our refrigerator at the food pantry because we have to storage the water for a lot of people at lamb basket that volunteer with us that why I asked so if I can break the side pan and instead of 9x 13 pan