Stack of candied orange peels
Snacks

Candied Orange Peel

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I just love homemade candied orange peel. They are slightly chewy covered in a thin candy coating and rolled in sugar, so yummy!

A great way to prevent waste in the kitchen is to make candied orange peel instead of throwing out those orange peels. Candied orange peels always make me think of Christmas, of course they can be made and eaten year-round.

Roll them in sugar, dip them in chocolate, or eat them plain, such possibilities. If you are looking for a holiday classic treat, try this out. Candied orange peel is so easy to make, if I can do it, you can do it. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Gather the ingredients

Oranges, water, and sugar on a table.

In order to make candied orange peel you need just three simple ingredients:

  • Oranges – You can also use pretty much any citrus peel, my favorite are orange peels.
  • Water – I like to use filtered water, because my tap water tastes gross, but you can certainly use tap water.
  • Sugar – Use white granulated sugar.
Plate stacked with candied orange peel.
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Tools

  • Pot
  • Spoon
  • Collander
  • Knife or peeler
  • Wire rack
  • Parchment paper
  • Sheet pan

Step 2: How to make candied orange peel

Several strips of orange peel on a white cutting board.

Begin by washing the oranges really well with water. Then peel them using a knife to cut slits, or use a specific citrus peeler with works really well.

Cut the peels into long strips roughly 1/8th of an inch wide to 1/4th inch. It doesn’t have to be exact.

Pot with boiling orange peels

Now add the orange peels to a 3 quart or larger pot along with 3 cups of water although the amount of water doesn’t have to be exact.

Set the heat on the burner to high and bring the water to a boil. Boil the peels for about 8 to 10 minutes. Then pour them through a strainer and repeat the process a few more times, until they are no longer bitter tasting.

You can even just let them boil a little longer, so you don’t have to repeat it as many times. Make sure to blow on it to cool it before tasting it, the peel will be hot of course.

TIP: If you save the water, it makes a great base for drinks and it is very high in vitamin C.

Step 3: Candy the orange peels

Pot of simmering candied orange peel on a stovetop burner.

After the peels are no longer bitter add the cup of sugar to the pot along with 1 cup of water as well.

Turn the heat down to medium. Bring the water to a boil to dissolve the sugar. This is essentially making a simple syrup.

Allow it to boil for about a minute, then turn the heat down to low, and add the orange peels to the simple syrup.

Spoon holding a piece of translucent orange peel.

Bring it to a simmer and allow it to simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes. What will happen is the syrup will turn the orange peels translucent and candy them, and that is how you know it will be done.

Stir occasionally, but you don’t have to babysit and constantly stir the whole time while it is simmering.

Step 4: Finish the candied orange peel

Several strips of candied orange peel on a wire rack.

Remove the candied orange peel from the pot with a slotted spoon or tongs and place them on a wire rack with parchment paper under it, to catch the excess candy coating that drips off.

TIP: Don’t throw out the remaining orange-flavored simple syrup, it can be used to make yummy drinks.

Allow the candied orange peel to dry for about an hour on the rack. Then you can take them, with clean hands, and roll them in granulated sugar. They should be a bit tacky. Once rolled in sugar, place them back on the wire rack.

Candied orange peels dipped in sugar on a wire rack.

TIP: You don’t have to roll them in sugar, you can dip them in chocolate, which is very common, or leave them plain. Or make a combination of those.

Allow the candied orange peels to dry on the rack for 4 to 6 hours, until no longer tacky. Enjoy!

How long does candied orange peel last?

Store the candied orange peels in a bag or an airtight container in a cool dry place, like a pantry, and they will last a few weeks up to a month.

Candied orange peel pin for Pinterest
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Here are a few other recipes you may like:

Popcorn Balls

Clarified Butter

Homemade Blueberry Muffins

Mozzarella Sticks

Homemade Caramel Apples

Stack of candied orange peels
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5 from 15 votes

Candied Orange Peel

Candied Orange Peel are such a great way to reduce kitchen waste and make a delicious treat at the same time. While I don't always make candied orange peels with my leftover orange peels, I always enjoy it when I do. These are popular around the holidays, but can be made year round of course.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 30 minutes
Cooling Time5 hours
Total Time6 hours 45 minutes
Course: Candy, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chewy, easy, sweet, treats
Servings: 10 people
Calories: 53kcal
Author: Matt Taylor

Equipment

  • pot
  • spoon
  • Collander
  • Knife or peeler
  • Wire rack
  • parchment paper
  • sheet pan

Ingredients

  • 3 medium oranges or whatever citrus you want to use
  • 3 cups of water 710ml (for boiling) done 2 or 3 times until bitterness is gone. (6 to 9 cups in total or 1420 to 2130ml)
  • 1 cup white granulated sugar may add up to 2 cups of sugar (200 to 400g)
  • 1 cup of water for simple syrup 247ml
  • Sugar for rolling the peels in

Instructions

  • Wash the oranges really well with water. Then peel them. Cut the peels into long strips roughly 1/8th of an inch wide to 1/4th inch.
  • Add the orange peels to a 3 quart or larger pot. Then add in 3 cups of water. Set the heat on the burner to high and bring the water to a boil. Boil the peels for about 8 to 10 minutes. Then pour them through a strainer and repeat the process a few more times, until they are no longer bitter tasting.
    You can even just let them boil a little longer, so you don't have to repeat it as many times. Make sure to blow on it to cool it before tasting it, it will be hot of course.
  • Now after the peels are no longer bitter. Add the cup of sugar to the pot along with 1 cup of water. Turn the heat down to medium. Bring the water to a boil to dissolve the sugar. Allow it to boil for about a minute, then turn the heat down to low, and add the orange peels to the simple syrup.
  • Bring it to a simmer and allow it to simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes. What will happen is the syrup will turn the orange peel translucent, and that is how you know it will be done.
    Stir occasionally, but you don't have to babysit and constantly stir the whole time while it is simmering.
  • Remove the candied peel from the pot with a slotted spoon or tongs and place them on a wire rack with parchment paper under it, to catch the drippings.
    Allow the candied orange peel to dry for about an hour on the rack. Then you can take them, with clean hands, and roll them in granulated sugar. They should be a bit tacky. Once rolled in sugar, place them back on the wire rack to dry for 4 to 6 hours. Then enjoy!

Video

How to Make Candied Orange Peel | Easy Candied Citrus Peel Recipe

Notes

TIP: If you save the citrus peel water, it makes a great base for drinks. 🙂
TIP: Don’t throw out the remaining orange-flavored simple syrup, it can be used to make yummy drinks.
TIP: You don’t have to roll them in sugar, you can dip them in chocolate, or leave them plain.
NOTE: Store the candied orange peel in a bag or an airtight container in a cool dry place, like a pantry, and they will last a few weeks up to a month.
Nutritional facts for candied orange peel
Tried this recipe?Mention @WPRecipeMaker or tag #wprecipemaker!

Nutrition

Calories: 53kcal

Do you like this recipe? Share and Pin it! Please give it a rating and comment down below, I really appreciate it. If you make it tag me on Instagram @inthekitchenwithmatt. Also, sign up for the newsletter so you won’t miss out on any of my new posts and recipes.

40 Comments

  1. At the beginning of the simple syrup step you say to add the peels at the beginning, and then again, after the syrup boils. Which is correct or am I misreading?

  2. 5 stars
    Super simple and delicious! I pop them in my food dehydrator after rolling them in sugar. They get super dry and no longer sticky that way. Dipped in chocolate is super tasty and in recipes that call for zest it is unbelievable!

  3. 5 stars
    Way easier than I thought! I hate throwing food and I never thought that orange peel has a lot of use! I only add it to my water most of the time but this one is a great idea. I am totally into it! Thanks, Matt!

  4. 5 stars
    At the first look, I thought it was french fries but then I realized it’s orange. Luckily I have few oranges at my home and I will give this recipe a try on Sunday!!!

  5. 5 stars
    This recipe is soooo yummy and so easy to make! Great snacks for the upcoming holidays! I will have to try your tip next time to dip these into chocolate

  6. Nnniiiccceeeee….I love how good you got, with this orange. I hope I don’t leave out any of the steps you have mentioned here!

  7. 5 stars
    Candied Orange Peel sounds so good! I love it as snack. I hope I can prepare for the kids!

  8. 5 stars
    Yum! This recipe is easier than I thought. I am totally gifting this treat for the holiday season

  9. 5 stars
    This is something my mom used to do for years. Each winter she would take out the jar and use it for Christmas cakes. I never bothered myself to take the reciepe but finding it on your blog makes me so happy

  10. Melanie williams

    Thank you so much for this, as I am deffo going to give this a go for sure. Looks yummy and like a fun thing to make perfect for cake toppings x

  11. Gervin Khan

    5 stars
    This is so nice and I am so excited to make this recipe, I am sure my kids will love it!

  12. 5 stars
    Candied fruit immediately reminds me of Christmas, which never fails on Italian tables!

  13. I have never tried or even heard of candied orange peels. I must say this does look really amazing!

  14. Why have I never had candied orange peel? I bet I would really love it!

  15. 5 stars
    Candied orange peels are one of my favorite sweet treats. I never actually thought of making them myself.

  16. 5 stars
    What a perfect idea for Christmas. I think I’d like to make them and hang them on the christmas tree, I bet they would smell wonderful as well as taste good.

  17. 5 stars
    Surprisingly easy and so delicious! Pretty certain these are low FODMAP, too, which is just an utter delight for me!

  18. 5 stars
    These are perfect for the upcoming holidays! I’m thinking of using them as a cocktail garnish.

  19. 5 stars
    Thank you for the woinderful recipe. I can’t make this yet becasue I want it closer to Christmas but I have it saved and am really excited about it. Thank you!

  20. Sherry Hartgraves

    5 stars
    Easy & tasty

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