palanqueta
/palanketa/from spelling rules
In Spanish, peanut brittle is called palanqueta.
The term palanqueta is often used to refer broadly to any nut-based brittle candy, rather than being exclusive to peanuts. If you want to specify that the candy is made of peanuts, you should use the phrase palanqueta de cacahuate.
Meaning: confection (noun)
Which one should you use?
While palanqueta is a general term for nut brittle, palanqueta de cacahuate is the specific form used to designate peanut brittle.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, palanqueta is the standard way to refer to this type of brittle candy. In Argentina and Uruguay, the formal term used is crocante de maní. In Cuba, people may refer to it as pralina.
How do you pronounce it?
/palanketa/
Did you know?
- Because the word palanqueta can refer to a lever, using it in a hardware store instead of a candy shop would lead to a completely different product.
- The word maní, used in Argentina and Uruguay for peanuts, is derived from the Tupi-Guarani languages of South America.
- In Argentina, the word crocante describes the brittle texture, but it is also used as an adjective to describe the sound of stepping on dry leaves.
Examples in context
- ¡Es una delicia!It's a delicacy!
- Caramelizar los cacahuetesCaramelize the peanuts
- Dejar enfriarLet it cool
- Mi abuela hace las mejores palanquetas de maní de todo México.My grandmother makes the best peanut brittle in all of Mexico.
- Me gusta mucho esta palanqueta.I really like this peanut brittle.
- Compré una palanqueta de cacahuate.I bought a peanut brittle.
- La palanqueta está muy crujiente.The peanut brittle is very crunchy.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are sharing snacks in the office kitchen.
- Elena¿Quieres probar mi palanqueta?Do you want to try my peanut brittle?
- JavierSí, gracias, se ve deliciosa.Yes, thanks, it looks delicious.
- ElenaEs mi dulce favorito.It is my favorite candy.
- JavierRealmente está muy buena, Elena.It really is very good, Elena.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry palanqueta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
