Easiest Candied Orange Peel Recipe | A Spicy Perspective (2024)

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A totally foolproof, wonderfully easyCandied Orange Peel recipethat makes sweet and brightorangepeel candy – perfect for theholidays!

Easiest Candied Orange Peel Recipe | A Spicy Perspective (1)

Candied Orange Peels

The holidays call for a bit offlourish, don’t they?

Candied Orange Peelsare a terrificallyvibrant and deliciousway to add festive pizazz to Christmas co*cktails and desserts. Bright golden slivers of sugar-coated orange peels taste as wonderful as they look, and bring some impressive flair to nearly any drink or dish.

Most recipes for making candied orange peels from scratch seem trickier than necessary. They often use candy thermometers, and include watching (and watching… And more watching) for crystallization. No, thank you.

This easy recipe makes the BEST, sweetest orange peel candy, without all the fuss. The pieces aresoft and perky, with just the right hint of chewiness and light, sugary crunch.

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What Ingredients You Need

Our uncomplicated recipe for tangy Citrus Peel Candy includes only 5 simple ingredients:

  • Navel Orangesjust the peels so feel free to use the juice of the orange to make other holiday recipes, likeHoliday Wine Punch co*cktails(You can also use Valencia or Cara Cara oranges.)
  • Waterfor simmering the peels
  • Granulated sugarto create perfectly sweet candied orange peels
  • Vanilla– adds a deep earthy flavor to balance out the sweetness
  • Saltessential for the candying process

You can also use this same recipe for making candied grapefruit,lemon peel, or limepeels! Orange you glad to know? *wink*

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How to Make the Easiest Candied Orange Peels

Instructions…

This effortless recipe is great to make as a relaxing weekend or weekday evening project. Just follow these few basic steps for making cheery, citrusy-good orange peel candyfrom scratch at home in less than an hour!

First, prep the oranges by trimming off the tops and bottoms with a paring knife. Then use a vegetable peeler tocarefully peel the orangesfrom top to bottom, into 2-4 inch long segments. It helps to press the peelervery firmlyagainst the orange to collect a nice even layer of peel, omitting as much white pith as possible.

Once you’ve peeled all of the oranges into wide strips, cut the slices into thinner ¼ inch strips.

Next, place theorange peel segmentsinto a medium saucepan and turn the heat on to medium or medium-low. Add water, sugar, and salt. Stir and bring to a simmer. As soon as the water begins to boil, set a timer for 20 minutes. You want to cook the peels until they arejust soft, but still have their lovely vibrant color. (Using medium to medium-high heat will burn your peels quickly.)

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Meanwhile, prepare for the next steps: Add the remaining ½ cup sugar to a bowl and set aside, and set out a drying rack with a piece of wax paper or parchment paper under it.

Once the orange peels have simmered for 20 minutes, stir in the vanilla extract. Turn off the heat andlet the peels rest in the sugar syrupfor several minutes.

Then use tongs (or a slotted spoon) to move the orange peels to the cooling wire rack. Allow the orange peels to rest for at least 15 minutes to dry and cool. (This allows the excess syrup to drain off the slices.)

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Toss the cooled peels in the sugar to coat.

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Let the peels dry completely at room temperature. This should take another 30 minutes or so.

Store the Candied Orange Peels in an airtight container, and keep in the fridge forup to 2 weeks. Enjoy as a snack or as a decoration on cake or cupcakes.

Get the Full (Printable) Easiest Candied Orange Peel Recipe + Video Below!

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How Can I Enjoy Candied Orange Peel?

Eat these homemade candies right out of the container as a special treat, or serve Candied Orange Peels as agarnish on desserts and drinks.

Add a few toHomemade Chocolate Puddingfor a delicious chocolate and orange dish, or top thisYogurt Cheesecake with Orange Shortbread Crustto add an extra burst of citrus flavor.

Use pieces of orange peels to finish festive co*cktails, like anAperol Spritzor in aSpiced Manhattan co*cktail.

However, you choose to include, these homemade candies are sure to add some joy to your holiday celebrations!

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Looking for More Easy Candy Recipes?

  • Vanilla Orange Candied Cranberries
  • Bourbon Salted Caramel Candy Recipe
  • The Tastiest Turkish Delight Recipe (Lokum)
  • Bourbon Candied Bacon Bites
  • Chocolate Toffee Christmas Crack Recipe

Check this candy’s printable recipe card below for the prep time, total time, and nutrition information including calories, protein, sodium, potassium, vitamin c, and calcium percentages.

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The Easiest Candied Orange Peel Recipe

Prep Time: 35 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

A totally foolproof, wonderfully easy Candied Orange Peel recipe that makes sweet and bright orange peel candy – perfect for the holidays!

Servings: 20 servings

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Trim the tops and bottoms of the oranges. Then use a vegetables peeler to peel the oranges from top to bottom, into 2-4 inch segments. Press the peeler firmly against the orange to collect a nice even layer of peel. Be careful to trim off just the peel, not the white bitter pith. Then cut the wide strips into ¼ inch thin strips.

  • Place the orange peel segments into a medium saucepot. Set over medium to medium-low heat. Add the water, 1 cup of sugar, and the salt. Bring to a simmer. Once simmering, set the timer and simmer approximately 20 minutes, or until the peels look soft, but still retain their vibrant color. (You don’t want them to turn brown, so set the stove just hot enough to hold the simmer.)

  • Meanwhile, place the remaining ½ cup sugar in a bowl and set aside. Set out a drying rack and place a piece of wax paper or parchment paper under it.

  • Once the orange peels have simmered 20 minutes, stir in the vanilla extract. Turn off the heat and let the peels rest in the sugar syrup for another 5-10 minutes.

  • Use tongs to move the orange peels to the cooling rack. Allow the orange peels to rest at least 15 minutes to dry and cool. Then toss them in the sugar to coat. Let the peels dry completely at room temperature. Then store in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

You can candy lemon and lime peels as well!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 71kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 59mg, Potassium: 47mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 17g, Vitamin A: 59IU, Vitamin C: 14mg, Calcium: 11mg, Iron: 1mg

Course: Candy, Dessert, Drinks, Snack

Cuisine: American

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

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Easiest Candied Orange Peel Recipe | A Spicy Perspective (2024)

FAQs

What is orange peel spice? ›

The outer peel of the orange, commonly referred to as orange zest, holds the highest amount of essential oils. To get the best flavor, and avoid bitter undertones, we only use the thin outer layer of tree-ripened oranges for our Spice Islands® orange peel.

How do you make candied orange peels less bitter? ›

Instead of boiling, soak the orange peels overnight in the refrigerator, fully covered in cold water. This is just as effective at removing some of the excess bitterness as a boil does, without softening the peels quite as much.

Why are my candied orange slices bitter? ›

A: You may not have boiled your orange slices long enough in plain water to pull out the bitterness from the peel.

How long to boil orange peels to get rid of bitterness? ›

Place orange peel in a sauce pan cover with a generous amount of water and bring to a boil. Let boil for 10 minutes. Strain in a colander.

What is the orange Mexican spice? ›

Mexican Spices List. Achiote – This seed imparts a brilliant orange color and mildly earthy flavor. It is used in sauces and marinades, and as a natural food coloring.

What is the orange Indian spice called? ›

Coriander seeds (or dhania) are warm, nutty, spicy, and orange-flavoured traditional spice. These plump and brown seeds have a hollow cavity that bears essential oils, which upon roasting increase their flavour, aroma, and pungency; that they flavour various kinds of masala, sambhar, rasam, and other Indian curries.

How long does candied orange peel last? ›

Seal the candied peel in a glass jar and store at room temperature for up to 3 months. If making in the summer, consider adding a food-grade silica desiccant pack to the jar to absorb humidity. (Yes...the interwebs has them.)

Are candied orange peels healthy? ›

Candied Orange Peels are beautiful, festive, and are full of nutrients. The orange peel has more vitamin C than the actual fruit of the orange. Likewise, the fruit peel also has about three times as much the amount of Vitamin A, B-Complex, and minerals such as manganese, calcium, and zinc.

What is the difference between sweet and bitter orange peel? ›

sinensis orange variety, sweet orange peel is said to contribute a notably more “orangey” flavor that's widely recognizable, as these types of oranges are commonly consumed. Bitter orange peel comes from the C. aurantium orange variety and is known to lend a more general citrus character with some bitterness.

What does orange peel do to the body? ›

Orange peels contain flavonoids – like poly methoxy flavones (PMFs) and hesperidin – and other phytochemicals that are highly beneficial for your health. Flavonoids are antioxidant compounds that help prevent chronic diseases such as cancer and heart diseases. It also contains higher amounts of certain nutrients.

What is the difference between sweet orange and bitter orange? ›

In contrast, bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.), is termed sour or Seville orange, although resembling sweet orange morphologically, it can be distinguished by its acidic pulp, more bitter albedo and the very characteristic pleasant odor of its fruit and leaf essential oil (Moufida & Marzouk, 2003).

Why is my candied fruit not hardening? ›

If your candied coating isn't hardening, the candying mixture did not reach a high enough temperature. Allow your candying mixture to cook until it bubbles, thickens, and turns a rich golden color, sort of like caramel. Then, quickly turn off the heat so it doesn't burn.

Why do people boil orange peels? ›

Orange peels make a home smell cozy and clean. You can boil orange peels with mulling spices like cinnamon and cloves to send a fresh autumnal aroma through the air. Boiling orange peels with lemon and grapefruit peels create a fresh, vibrant, and energizing aroma that makes your house smell clean and pristine.

What is bitter orange peel good for? ›

Today, various bitter orange products are promoted for heartburn, nasal congestion, weight loss, appetite stimulation or suppression, and athletic performance. Bitter orange is also applied to the skin for pain, bruises, fungal infections, and bedsores.

How much water do you need to boil orange peels? ›

Bring 3 cups sugar and 3 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add peels, reduce heat, and simmer until very soft, 40–45 minutes; drain.

What is orange peel herb good for? ›

Orange peels contain flavonoids – like poly methoxy flavones (PMFs) and hesperidin – and other phytochemicals that are highly beneficial for your health. Flavonoids are antioxidant compounds that help prevent chronic diseases such as cancer and heart diseases. It also contains higher amounts of certain nutrients.

What is orange peel powder used for? ›

Orange peels contain citric acid that helps lighten and brighten the skin organically. Regular use of orange peel powder can help remove tan and give your skin a youthful radiance. Also, the bleaching effect of the powder will help reduce any pigmentation, dark spots or scars caused due to skin infections.

Is Valencia orange peel the same as orange zest? ›

As I mentioned earlier in this post, orange zest is not the same as orange peel. Orange peel includes the white inner part of the peel, which is missing in zest.

What is dried orange peel called? ›

Chenpi, chen pi, or chimpi is sun-dried mandarin orange peel used as a traditional seasoning in Chinese cooking and traditional medicine. It is aged by storing them dry. The taste is first slightly sweet, but the aftertaste is pungent and bitter.

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