---
title: "Homemade Candied Orange Peel — Cáscaras de Naranja Confitadas"
description: "Versión en Español. Homemade candied orange peel is orange peel, pith included, blanched three times for 5 minutes each, cut into 5 mm strips, simmered for about 45 minutes in a syrup of equal weights..."
url: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/homemade-candied-orange-peel-cascaras-de-naranja-confitadas-recipe/
date: 2026-10-06
modified: 2026-10-06
author: "Carlos Uhart M."
image: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/homemade-candied-orange-peel-featured.jpg
categories: ["Desserts"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# Homemade Candied Orange Peel — Cáscaras de Naranja Confitadas

[Versión en Español](https://comidaschilenas.com/receta-cascaras-de-naranjas-confitadas/)

![Homemade candied orange peel strips](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/homemade-candied-orange-peel-featured.jpg)*Candied orange peel*

Homemade candied orange peel is orange peel, pith included, blanched three times for 5 minutes each, cut into 5 mm strips, simmered for about 45 minutes in a syrup of equal weights of sugar and water cooked to the soft thread stage, 110 to 112°C (230 to 234°F), and dried on a rack for 2 to 3 days. It takes 30 minutes of preparation and 90 minutes of cooking, and serves 8.

A way to use the whole fruit; rolled in sugar or dipped in chocolate, they are addictive.

Contents

- [1. How to Make Candied Orange Peel?](#How_to_Make_Candied_Orange_Peel)
- [2. Nutritional Information](#Nutritional_Information)
- [3. Homemade Candied Orange Peel Recipe](#Homemade_Candied_Orange_Peel_Recipe)
  - [3.1. Ingredients](#Ingredients)
  - [3.2. Instructions](#Instructions)
- [4. Additional Tips](#Additional_Tips)
  - [4.1. Clean oranges](#Clean_oranges)
  - [4.2. Do not stir](#Do_not_stir)
  - [4.3. Save the syrup](#Save_the_syrup)
  - [4.4. Chocolate dip](#Chocolate_dip)
- [5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)](#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs)
  - [5.1. 1. Why boil the peels several times?](#1_Why_boil_the_peels_several_times)
  - [5.2. 2. How do I store them so they last?](#2_How_do_I_store_them_so_they_last)
  - [5.3. 3. What can I do with the leftover syrup?](#3_What_can_I_do_with_the_leftover_syrup)
  - [5.4. 4. Can I use other citrus fruits?](#4_Can_I_use_other_citrus_fruits)
- [6. Benefits of Orange Peel](#Benefits_of_Orange_Peel)
- [7. Did You Know?](#Did_You_Know)
- [8. Recommended](#Recommended)

## How to Make Candied Orange Peel?

It is very easy: just oranges, sugar, and water. Blanching removes bitterness, and a slow simmer in syrup turns the peel translucent.

## Nutritional Information

Each serving of candied orange peel contains approximately 280 kcal, 70 g of carbohydrates, 0 g of fat, 1 g of protein, 1 g of fiber, 70 g of sugars, 0 mg of cholesterol, and 5 mg of sodium. These values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes.

## Homemade Candied Orange Peel Recipe

**Preparation:** 30 minutes
**Cooking:** 90 minutes (plus 2 to 3 days of drying)
**Servings:** 8

### Ingredients

- 2 kg (4.4 lb) of oranges
- 500 g (2½ cups) of sugar
- 500 ml (2 cups) of water

### Instructions

1. Wash the oranges well, scrubbing with a soft brush if you like. Slice off the top and bottom with a sharp knife, make 4 vertical cuts, and carefully remove the peel in pieces, pith included.

![Fresh oranges for candied orange peel](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/fresh-oranges-candied-peel.jpg)*Fresh Oranges*

1. Put the peels in a medium pot, cover with cold water, bring to a boil, and boil for 5 minutes. Drain, change the water, and boil another 5 minutes. Repeat once more, then cool and drain the peels on paper towels. Cut into thin strips about 5 mm (¼ inch) wide and weigh them on a kitchen scale.

![Granulated sugar for candied orange peel syrup](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/sugar-candied-orange-peel.jpg)*Granulated Sugar*

1. Use equal weights of peel, sugar, and water (for example, 500 g of peel needs 500 g of sugar and 500 ml of water). Heat the sugar and water in a medium pot over medium heat for 8 to 9 minutes, to the soft thread stage, 110 to 112°C (230 to 234°F).

![Sugar syrup at soft thread stage for candying peel](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/sugar-syrup-candied-orange-peel.jpg)*Sugar Syrup*

1. Add the peels and simmer gently for about 45 minutes without stirring, until translucent. Remove from the heat, drain the syrup (save it for iced tea), and dry the peels on a rack for 2 to 3 days. Serve rolled in sugar or, best of all, dipped in chocolate.

## Additional Tips

### Clean oranges

Use oranges free of post harvest wax or fungicides. If organic ones are not available, soak them 10 minutes in water with 1 tablespoon of baking soda per liter, then rinse with hot water.

### Do not stir

Stirring the syrup can make it crystallize; swirl the pot instead.

### Save the syrup

The citrus syrup sweetens tea or coffee, moistens cakes, and works in cocktails.

### Chocolate dip

Dip half of each strip in melted dark chocolate and let set on parchment.

| Original ingredient | Substitute | Ratio | Flavor note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Oranges | Lemons | Same method | One extra blanching |
| Oranges | Mandarins | Same method | Simmer 30 to 35 minutes |
| Oranges | Grapefruit | Same method | More bitter |
| Rolled in sugar | Dipped in chocolate | To taste | Richer |

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

### 1. Why boil the peels several times?

Blanching removes the natural bitterness of the white pith (albedo) and softens the texture. It also helps remove possible pesticide residues on non organic oranges.

### 2. How do I store them so they last?

In an airtight glass jar in a cool, dry place (not refrigerated) for up to 3 months, or 6 months covered in leftover syrup. Frozen in layers separated by wax paper, they last up to 1 year.

### 3. What can I do with the leftover syrup?

Sweeten tea or coffee, make granitas, moisten sponge cakes, or use it as a cocktail base.

### 4. Can I use other citrus fruits?

Yes, lemons, mandarins, or grapefruit work with the same method. Lemon peel needs one extra blanching, and mandarin peel needs less cooking (30 to 35 minutes) because it is thinner.

## Benefits of Orange Peel

Orange peel is rich in dietary fiber, good for digestion, and some studies suggest compounds in it, such as hesperidin, may help lower LDL cholesterol.

## Did You Know?

Preserving food in sugar began in China and Mesopotamia, although today’s candying technique is credited to the Arabs.

## Recommended

- [Chilean Orange Pancake Cake Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-orange-pancake-cake-torta-de-panqueques-de-naranja-recipe/)
- [Chilean Pan de Pascua Christmas Fruitcake Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-pan-de-pascua-christmas-fruitcake-recipe/)
- [Chilean English Fruit Cake Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-english-fruit-cake-queque-ingles-recipe/)
- [Homemade Lemon Marmalade Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/homemade-lemon-marmalade-mermelada-de-limon-recipe/)