Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegan)

The simplest microwave peanut butter fudge ever that’s big on flavor with a short ingredient list! Just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of hands-on time to get a creamy, decadent and crazy good fudge oozing with peanut butter flavor! This is the perfect dessert for the holidays, and is also gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan but it tastes so good no one would know!

Jump to:

• The Sweetest Time of Year!
• What is Fudge?
• Why This Recipe Works:
• Ingredients You’ll Need:
• Ingredient Notes/Substitutions:
• How to Make Peanut Butter Fudge in the Microwave (Step by Step)
• Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
• Recipe FAQs:
• Other Gluten-Free Treats You’ll Love:
• Holiday Recipes to Indulge in:
• Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

The Sweetest Time of Year!

December is here, and we’re thick in holiday season. That means plenty of cookies, candies, and the annual cookie and candy exchange!

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, and have a particular soft spot for all things peanut butter, I’ve got you covered – from peanut butter cookies, to peanut butter buckeye balls, to homemade peanut butter cups.

And…this microwave peanut butter fudge that’s the perfect treat for you!

What is Fudge?

I’d never tried fudge until early this year, and I have to say that it’s certainly decadent.

For those who haven’t had fudge before, it’s basically a sugar candy made from heating sugar, butter and milk and mixing the ingredients together until evenly combined. As it cools down, the fudge solidifies and can be cut into desired shapes.

Fudge originated in the US in the 19th century, and became increasingly popular as the cost of refined sugar decreased and also due to the fact that you can easily make fudge at home without any special equipment. Some of the more popular types of fudge include chocolate fudge and peanut butter fudge.

Peanut butter fudge is basically peanut-butter flavored fudge, with the main ingredients traditionally being peanut butter, powdered sugar, and butter.

Why This Recipe Works:

• Just 3 Simple Ingredients: You literally need just 3 simple ingredients to make this homemade peanut butter candy. I’m pretty sure you might already have them at home!

• Little Hands-On Time: With the help of the microwave, only 5 minutes of hands-on prep time is required. Once you’ve poured the liquid fudge batter into the pan, all you need to do is let it chill and let the fridge do all the work!

• Minimal Cleanup: Simply mix the ingredients in a large glass bowl bowl (make sure it’s microwave-safe!), and heat them up in the microwave – which means no stovetop cooking or dirtying a pot or pan! Less work, less cleanup, but equally delicious and decadent fudge – what’s there not to love about this microwave fudge version?

• Totally Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Vegan: I wanted to make a gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan version, so I swapped out the usual butter for refined coconut oil, which works just as well, and is completely dairy-free.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required to make this easy recipe.

(For exact measurements and quantities, please scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Ingredient Notes/Substitutions:

• Peanut Butter: In this simple recipe, I used natural peanut butter because it doesn’t contain any additives or preservatives. Learn how to make your own peanut butter in 10 minutes! However, you can also use smooth peanut butter or creamy peanut butter (which will result in a thicker, more paste-like batter).

• Coconut Oil: I prefer using refined coconut oil in this recipe because it has a neutral taste (as opposed to extra virgin coconut oil that has a strong coconut taste). Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, feel free to use unsalted butter in equal quantities.

• Powdered Sugar: If you want a creamy texture, it’s important to use powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar as the granulated sugar will not dissolve well and you will find it grainy. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly suggest that you use Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener (which is a 1:1 substitute for powdered sugar with zero glycemic index).

How to Make Peanut Butter Fudge in the Microwave (Step by Step)

1. Line Pan with Parchment

Line a 10 x 7-inch pan or an 8 x 8-inch square pan with either wax paper or parchment paper (make the parchment long enough so that it hangs off on both sides of the pan and makes it easier to pull out the fudge later).

2. Combine Peanut Butter and Coconut Oil

In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the peanut butter and coconut oil. Microwave on high heat for 1 minute and then whisk. Microwave for another 1 minute and whisk again until you get a smooth liquid mixture.

3. Add Powdered Sugar

Sift in the powdered sugar and whisk as well as you can. The batter will be a thick mixture.

4. Pour Batter into Pan

Pour the fudge batter into the prepared pan and use a spatula to smooth out the top of the peanut butter mixture.

5. Chill Until Set

Refrigerate the mixture for at least 3 hours until fudge has set and is firm to the touch.

6. Cut Fudge into Pieces

Use the parchment overhang to pull out the fudge from the pan, and then cut the fudge into small squares with a sharp knife. 

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

• Use Parchment for Easy Removal: Make sure to use either wax paper or parchment paper to line your pan before pouring in the liquid fudge mixture as this will make it much easier to remove the fudge from the pan once it’s solid and set.

• Add Chopped Peanuts/Nuts: If you want to have some kind of contrast in texture, feel free to mix in chopped peanuts or other chopped nuts or sprinkle them on top of the fudge mixture before chilling.

Recipe FAQs:

Other Gluten-Free Treats You’ll Love:

• 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cups (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• 5-Minute Chocolate Pudding (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Easy Homemade Chocolate (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Easy Candied Pecans (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Microwave Lemon Curd (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Holiday Recipes to Indulge in:

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

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