Candied Orange Slices (2024)

ByJen Sobjack Posted on Updated on

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Sugar-coated candied oranges slices are perfect for decorating all sorts of desserts and they make wonderful holiday gifts. The process is simple and you can have sweet, chewy candied oranges in no time!

Candied Orange Slices (1)

Candied Orange Slices

I’ve made candied lemon peel before and used them to top my vanilla cupcakes with lemon cream cheese frosting.

I enjoyed them so much that I thought I do the same but with orange instead. I used them to garnish an orange pound cake and these chocolate orange brownies and it was a smashing hit.

The process is simple but it does take a while. First, you boil the slices. Then, you simmer them in sugar water that will turn to syrup. It takes close to one hour for the water to reduce and become syrupy.

The longest part is waiting for the slices to dry. It took close to 24 hours for my slices to dry completely.

Once the slices dry, the sticky slices are dipped in sugar and ready for use. You can enjoy the candied orange slices dipped in chocolate or use them to decorate your favorite dessert.

Why this recipe works

  • This recipe calls for boiling the oranges for 2 minutes before you candy them. This helps eliminate the bitterness found in the white part of the peel.
  • A dip in an ice bath stops the orange slices from cooking and becoming too soft.
  • After the slices simmer in a sugar syrup, they need to dry for about 24 hours. This will leave you with perfectly chewy candied orange slices.
Candied Orange Slices (2)

Getting the perfect Orange Slice

It’s important not to slice the oranges too thick or too thin. The thicker they are the longer it will take for them to dry.

But on the other hand, the thinner they are the less likely they are to hold their shape.

I sliced a few that were on the thin side and most of the orange flesh completely disappeared during the candying process. Aim for about 3mm thick. And use a mandolin to make it easier.

Use any type of orange for this recipe! I used tangelos but there are numerous varieties to choose from. My only recommendation is to choose a variety that is small in size.

Candied Orange Slices (3)

Ingredients for orange slice candy

Candied oranges require only three ingredients! Oranges, water, and sugar.

You can use any variety of orange that’s in season. Different varieties will be in season during different times of the year. See the list below…

  • Navel Oranges: November – May
  • Tangerines: November – May
  • Mandarin Oranges: December – January
  • Honeybells: January – February
  • Temples: February – March
  • Cara Cara Oranges: March – March
  • Tangelos: April – April
  • Valencia Oranges: June – June

No matter the time of year, there are oranges in season.

Candied Orange Slices (4)

How to make candied orange slices

Making orange slices candy is extremely easy but a bit time-consuming. However, the end product is completely worth the time it takes.

Boil the slices

Start by boiling the orange slices for 2 minutes. This helps eliminate any bitterness found in the white part of the peel.

Immediately transfer the boiled slices to an ice bath to stop them from cooking any further and discard the water.

Candied Orange Slices (5)

Candy the orange slices

Bring equal parts sugar and water to a boil. I used four cups of each in a large pot. This gave me enough liquid to candy 4 small oranges.

Once the sugar water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the chilled orange slices and let them simmer for one hour. Gently stir the slices every 15 minutes to make sure they are all getting coated evenly in the syrup.

After an hour, the slices should start to appear translucent around the rinds. They won’t be completely translucent, but you’ll notice they are lighter.

At this point, remove the orange slices from the sugar water and place them in an even layer on a wire cooling rack. Make sure the rack is set over a baking pan to catch any drippings.

Let the slices sit for up to 24 hours until they are completely dry. You can coat them in sugar, dip them in chocolate, or use them as they are.

Candied Orange Slices (6)

If you enjoy orange treats, you’ll also love these recipes:

  1. Cranberry Orange Upside-Down Cake
  2. Slow Cooker Orange Sweet Rolls
  3. Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls

Candied Orange Slices

4.49 from 273 votes

Candied Orange Slices (7)

Sugar-coated candied oranges slices are perfect for decorating all sorts of desserts and they make wonderful holiday gifts. The process is simple and you can have sweet, chewy candied oranges in no time!

Jen Sobjack

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Serving Size 40

Ingredients

  • ice water
  • 8 cups (1920 ml) water, divided
  • 4 small oranges, such as tangelos
  • 4 cups (800 g) granulated sugar, plus more for coating

Instructions

  • Fill a large bowl with ice water and set it aside.

  • Add 4 cups (960 ml) of the regular water to a large saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the orange slices. Boil for 2 minutes. Transfer the orange slices to the bowl of ice water and discard the boiled orange water.

  • In the same saucepan, add the remaining 4 cups (960 ml) of water and the sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has completely dissolved.

  • Turn the heat to medium-low and add the orange slices. Simmer for 45-60 minutes or until the rinds are slightly translucent. Gently swirl the oranges every 15 minutes to make sure they are evenly coated with the sugar water.

  • Transfer the slices to a cooling rack set over a large baking sheet. Let them sit for up to 24 hours or until dry.

  • Dip the candied orange slices in granulated sugar, if desired. Use immediately or store them in an airtight container in therefrigeratorfor up to 1 month.

Notes

You can also dip the dried oranges in melted chocolate for a fun edible gift.

Nutrition

Serving: 1orange slice | Calories: 83kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.002g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.003g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 24mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 29IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.02mg

The nutrition information provided is for convenience and as a courtesy only. It is not guaranteed to be accurate because nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator and input the exact ingredients and brands you used in the recipe.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Candied Orange Slices (2024)

FAQs

Should you refrigerate candied oranges? ›

Storage Tips

Store your candied orange slices between layers of parchment paper; they'll keep in a cool, dry place for a few weeks without issue, or refrigerate in an airtight container.

Why are my candied orange slices bitter? ›

Orange peels get their bitterness from several compounds. And those compounds dissolve in hot water, which is why blanching works so well. In fact, blanching reduces bitterness by 50%. Repeat the blanching step until the orange peels taste just slightly bitter.

What can I do with leftover syrup from candied oranges? ›

Save Your Leftover Orange Syrup and Oranges!

It can replace simple syrup in co*cktails, mocktails, and lemonade. You can also use it to replace honey or maple syrup on pancakes, baked pears, French toast, or even fruit salad. After cooking, the orange syrup is quite concentrated and sweet.

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.

Are candied oranges supposed to be hard? ›

Exterior candied oranges texture

This should be soft but firm to the touch and have a thin layer of crystallized sugar that provides a slight crunch when bitten down. If you find that its texture is sticky, excessively soft or hard, it may be the result of an incorrect confit process.

How long do candied fruit slices last? ›

Paradise does not recommend freezing your candied fruit. It is generally not necessary since it lasts for 24 months if kept in a cool dry place.

How do you keep candied fruit hard? ›

If you heat the sugar syrup at very low temperatures, you risk the sugar coating to be chewy. To prevent this from happening, always cook the syrup at medium-high heat. Why is my candied fruit not hardening? If you under-cook the syrup, there is a risk of it remaining sticky and not hard (like toffee).

How do you get rid of the bitter taste in oranges? ›

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 does orange peel do to the body? ›

Immense volumes of flavonoid hesperidin present in orange peels have shown to maintain blood cholesterol and blood pressure levels. While, being a strong anti-inflammatory agent, orange peel extracts help to mitigate inflammation and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Can you boil orange peels and drink it? ›

To make orange peel tea, just combine fresh or dried orange peels and water in a pot with a lid, bring to a boil, and then remove from the heat. Allow the orange peels to steep for an hour or more before straining and discarding the used peels,” she said, sharing another method of making this tea.

How do you refresh candied fruit? ›

Be aware that the sugar may crystallize and the fruit become very hard. To counteract the crystallization and soften the fruit, the fruit can be soaked overnight in a cooked sugar syrup.

What is the white part of an orange peel called? ›

The pith is the white part between the peel and the fruit. As you're eating the orange, go ahead and dig your teeth into the pith and you'll actually be getting a whole lot of additional nutrients! Although a bit bitter, the pitch is a rich source of fiber, calcium, vitamin C and immune-boosting flavonoids!

Can you eat the rind of candied orange? ›

Bitter and sweet, fruity and chewy, candied orange peel is one of citrus season's under-appreciated treats. Whether spooned over ice cream, garnishing a fancy co*cktail or mocktail, drizzled over pancakes, or chopped and mixed into cookies or scones, they are as versatile as they are delicious.

Can dogs eat oranges? ›

Oranges can be a healthy snack for dogs, but serving large amounts of them can cause potential harm. Seedless navel oranges are preferable, but dogs can eat all kinds of oranges, including blood oranges, Bergamot oranges, clementines and more.

Does orange peel increase blood sugar? ›

Regulates blood sugar levels: Pectin, a fiber that is known to control blood sugar levels, is abundant in orange peel, and this benefits people with diabetes. Additionally, studies have reported that using orange peel extract in therapy can help avoid diabetic nephropathy.

Does candied fruit need to be refrigerated after opening? ›

Refrigeration: Though not always necessary due to high sugar content, storing candied fruit in the refrigerator can help maintain its quality, especially in humid climates.

Is it better to refrigerate oranges or leave them out? ›

At room temperature, oranges can last for about a week. In the fridge, meanwhile, they can stay good for about a month. If you don't plan to eat them within about four weeks, consider freezing your oranges — frozen oranges will keep for up to a year.

How to store candied orange slices overnight? ›

How to store candied orange slices
  1. In the syrup: You can store the orange slices in some of the leftover syrup, in a jar in the fridge. ...
  2. With baking paper separators: Once you dry the slices on a wire rack, transfer them to a mason jar or airtight container in the pantry with small pieces of baking paper between them.
Aug 17, 2021

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