Peanuts, chocolate covered candy
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a classic confection where roasted peanuts are enrobed in a thick layer of smooth milk or dark chocolate. The experience is a delightful contrast: a crisp, yielding chocolate shell gives way to the salty, crunchy, and nutty interior. Nutritionally, it's a dense energy source, packing a significant amount of fat and sugar per 100g, but also offering a respectable protein content from the peanuts.
Calorie split: 10% protein · 31% carbs · 59% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the perfect marriage of sweet and salty, creamy and crunchy textures. It's a nostalgic, versatile treat enjoyed straight from the bag, as a baking ingredient, or a decadent topping.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its high sugar and calorie content can lead to blood-sugar spikes and is a concern for those managing weight or diabetes. It's also a common allergen (peanuts) and often contains added sodium. To enjoy mindfully, practice strict portion control (e.g., a small handful), pair it with a source of fiber or protein to slow sugar absorption, and choose brands with less added sugar or a higher cacao percentage.
Key benefits
- Provides quick energy from carbohydrates and fats
- Contains plant-based protein from peanuts
- Offers dietary fiber, especially with dark chocolate or whole peanuts
- Source of minerals like magnesium and phosphorus from peanuts
- Can be a satisfying treat that helps curb sweet cravings
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The process of enrobing, where a center is covered in a curtain of liquid chocolate, was mechanized in the early 20th century, revolutionizing the candy industry and making treats like chocolate-covered peanuts widely affordable.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 1.6 g |
| Energy | 556 kcal |
| Protein | 14.3 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 37.7 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 44.1 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 5.4 g |
| Total Sugars | 32.9 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 137 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.0 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 109 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 270 mg |
| Potassium, K | 477 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 50.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.5 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.47 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 6.4 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.13 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.26 mg |
| Niacin | 6.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.21 mg |
| Folate, total | 46.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 45.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 45.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 53.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.45 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 35.0 ug |
| Retinol | 35.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 4.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 2.3 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 3.4 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 12.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 123 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 14.2 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.21 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.15 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.15 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.72 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 6.6 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 5.2 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 14.8 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.26 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 13.8 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.25 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.02 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 4.7 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 4.6 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.08 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 14.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Snacks, popcorn, caramel-coated, without peanuts — USDA does not publish this profile for Peanuts.
| Tryptophan | 0.04 g |
| Threonine | 0.15 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.16 g |
| Leucine | 0.28 g |
| Lysine | 0.28 g |
| Methionine | 0.07 g |
| Cystine | 0.04 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.15 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.11 g |
| Valine | 0.18 g |
| Arginine | 0.23 g |
| Histidine | 0.11 g |
| Alanine | 0.21 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.39 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.66 g |
| Glycine | 0.22 g |
| Proline | 0.17 g |
| Serine | 0.16 g |
FAQ
Are chocolate-covered peanuts a good source of protein?
They contain a moderate amount of protein from the peanuts (about 14g per 100g), but this comes alongside very high amounts of sugar and fat. For a protein-rich snack, plain roasted peanuts or a protein bar would be more efficient choices.
How should I store them to keep them fresh?
Store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and strong odors. For longer-term storage, an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer can prevent the chocolate from blooming or the peanuts from going rancid.
What's the difference between milk and dark chocolate-covered peanuts?
Milk chocolate versions are sweeter and creamier, with less cacao. Dark chocolate varieties typically have a higher cacao content, offering a more intense, less sweet chocolate flavor and potentially more antioxidants, though the sugar content can still be high.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 5.56 kcal/g · 10% calories from protein · 5.4 g fiber · 32.9 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.10 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.