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
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.
Tools
- Pot
- Spoon
- Collander
- Knife or peeler
- Wire rack
- Parchment paper
- Sheet pan
Step 2: How to make candied orange peel
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Here are a few other recipes you may like:
Candied Orange Peel
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
Notes
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.
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?
Good catch! you let the sugar and water come to a boil first, before adding the boiled and drained peels. 🙂
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!
Thank you!! Yes, the dehydrator is a great way to go!
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!
You are welcome, Trisha! I know super easy right?
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!!!
Cool, haha!
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
Thank you! yes, definitely try them dipped in chocolate. 🙂
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!
Thanks!!
Candied Orange Peel sounds so good! I love it as snack. I hope I can prepare for the kids!
Awesome!
Yum! This recipe is easier than I thought. I am totally gifting this treat for the holiday season
Glad you liked it, Romy! 🙂
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
That is so awesome!! 🙂 They make such a nice garnish for cakes on top or inside.
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
You are so very welcome, Melanie! 🙂
This is so nice and I am so excited to make this recipe, I am sure my kids will love it!
Thank you!! 🙂
Candied fruit immediately reminds me of Christmas, which never fails on Italian tables!
These are so popular during Christmas here in the US as well. 🙂
I have never tried or even heard of candied orange peels. I must say this does look really amazing!
Thank you! Definitely try them sometime, they are so yummy!
Why have I never had candied orange peel? I bet I would really love it!
Yeah, it is so awesome! You need to try it sometime. 🙂
Candied orange peels are one of my favorite sweet treats. I never actually thought of making them myself.
Time to try it! haha 🙂
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.
Thank you! Yes, they do smell pretty amazing.
Surprisingly easy and so delicious! Pretty certain these are low FODMAP, too, which is just an utter delight for me!
I know right? so easy to make!
These are perfect for the upcoming holidays! I’m thinking of using them as a cocktail garnish.
Thank you, Kim! Indeed, so perfect for the holidays.
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!
You are so very welcome, Ginny!
Easy & tasty
Thank you so much, Sherry! 🙂 🙂