Last updated on November 12th, 2024

Homemade sugar-free Candied Orange Peels or Slices are incredibly easy to make. Use these vibrant gems to garnish cocktails and desserts, or indulge in their rich flavour by dipping them in melted chocolate. Don’t wait for the holidays; these citrusy treats can be enjoyed all year round.

Candied Orange Peels and Slices: Easy & Sugar-Free

When I started my low-carb journey, I avoided oranges because I thought they would raise my carb count too high. But I’ve learned that eating oranges in small amounts is okay. Since oranges provide natural vitamin C, I prefer to snack on a few slices rather than cut them out completely.

That said, you need to make these Sugar-free Candied Orange Peels and Slices that are easy to make at home and versatile treats that extend beyond the holiday season.

Chocolate-dipped orange candy

Dried orange slices dipped in chocolate are my favourite snack right now, and they do satisfy a sweet craving. That crunch you get when you bite into a chocolate-covered orange slice, followed by a burst of citrus orange flavour, is divine!

Alternatively, you can even chop the candied peel and mix it into melted chocolate to create delicious Chocolate Orange Candy Bars.

Zesty and low-carb

Additionally, chopped dried candied oranges or peels can transform baked treats like cakes, cookies, and granola bars, adding a zesty low-carb touch. Arrange them on the charcuterie board for a little orange pizzazz—so good!

Updated Recipe

This recipe has been updated to improve the taste and texture of the candied orange peels or slices and offer an optional additional ingredient to the sweet sugar-free syrup that intensifies the orange flavour.

The ingredient amounts for the low-carb simple syrup in the recipe card are sufficient to make either orange peels or orange slices. You will need to prepare separate batches of simple syrup for each option.

Why You Will Like Sugar-free Candied Peels or Slices

Candied orange without refined sugar:

Make these low-carb candied orange peels and slices without granular sugar to add to your favourite recipes without excess carbs.

Substitute for raisins and sultanas:

As most granola recipes include raisins or sultanas, you can substitute them with chopped candied peels.

Perfect for gift giving:

Candied fruit, such as oranges, is a guilt-free indulgence you can share with friends and family during the holidays or as a birthday gift. No one will know the difference.

Enhance the orange flavour in your baking:

Add these low-carb candied peels and slices to any recipe that requires orange zest or extract to highlight a bolder citrus taste.

Better than store-bought candied orange peels:

Making candied fruit at home ensures it stays sugar-free, or you can control the amount of sugar used. Where else would you find low-carb candied orange peel?

Carbs and Servings in Candied Orange Peels or Slices

Orange peels and slices can be eaten in small amounts while following a low-carb or keto lifestyle. That’s why candying them makes them a great, satisfying snack. This recipe yields about six servings of each of the peels and slices.

under 5g net carbs per serving

Each serving contains approximately the following carb and fibre amounts.

• 5.1g carbs
• 0.8g fibre
• 4.3g net carbs

Additionally, a serving is approximately 25 calories compared to candy orange slices made with regular sugar, which, according to the carb manager app, have 25g of carbs and 100 calories.

Ingredient Notes

Navel Oranges:

Navel Oranges are easy to peel, have thick skin, and are seedless, which makes them perfect for candying. They’re also naturally sweet and taste fresh with a citrusy zing. I used two large navel oranges for the candied peels and three medium navel oranges for the candied slices.

Low-carb sweetener:

For this recipe, I use monk fruit sweetener mixed with erythritol. While neither thickens when you cook them with water to make syrup, they crystallize during drying, helping those orange peels and slices firm up.

Date Syrup (optional):

Date syrup is optional in this recipe, but after trying it recently in my low-carb caramel sauce recipe, I’ve grown to use it in small amounts because of its natural sweetness and colour, which gives these peels and slices a warm glow.

Xanthan Gum:

Low-carb sweeteners don’t thicken with water like regular sugar does. To make a syrupy texture, sprinkle a little xanthan gum into the mixture of water and sweetener as it boils. This will help coat the peels and oranges. You can also use arrowroot powder or cornstarch, but remember that this will add extra carbs per serving. You will find xanthan gum in the specialty or gluten-free section at any grocery store or online.

How to make Candied Orange Peels or Slices

This recipe is quite simple, but it does require some patience. Preparing the candied peels or slices in advance or a day before using them in a recipe is ideal. After being coated in a sweet syrup, the candied peels may take one to two hours to dry, while the slices take about 12 hours.

1) Wash and prepare oranges

Wash and scrub the oranges in water or a vinegar solution of three parts water to one part vinegar. This will remove pesticides, any bacteria and dirt.

Peels: Use a pairing knife to slice off the ends and score the oranges from top to bottom on four sides along the curve. Peel the oranges and slice the peels into strips lengthwise about 1/4 inches thick. You can keep the peeled orange for another recipe, juice it, eat it, or serve it in a salad.

Slices: For the orange slices, keep the skin intact and slice them whole, less than 1/4 inch thick.

2) Soften the Orange Peels or Slices (Stovetop or Instant Pot method)

For this step, you need to briefly boil the peels or orange slices in a saucepan or an Instant Pot to soften them and remove the bitterness in the pith.

Expert tip: If you are making both peels and slices, soften them separately.

Stovetop method to soften orange peels or slices

Orange Peels: Add them to a pot and fill them with enough water to cover the oranges. Bring to a boil and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Strain the peels, but do not rinse them. Add them back to the pan and repeat the boiling process twice. This will help remove the bitter taste in the pith. Then drain them and pat them dry with a paper towel.

Orange Slices: Bring a wide, shallow pan of water to a boil and add the slices. Boil for 2-3 mins, then drain and carefully drown them in iced water to prevent overcooking. You can also pat them dry.

Instant Pot method to soften orange peels or slices

Place the peels or slices in the Instant Pot and cover with about 2 cups of water, or just enough to cover the surface. Close the lid, and pressure cook on HIGH for 0 minutes, then quick-release. The pressure will take a while to build, so you do not need to cook them longer than 0 minutes.

Then, as in the steps above, drain the peels or drown the slices in iced cold water, then pat them dry.

3) Make simple syrup for candied orange peels or slices

Add water sweetener and the optional date syrup to a pan and boil for about 5 minutes until the sweetener has dissolved and some water has evaporated.

Sprinkle xanthan gum over the mixture and whisk until blended. Cook for another 5 minutes until the syrup thickens.

4) Add the orange peels or slices

Add the peels to the syrup and gently stir to coat all the peel strips. Bring the syrup to a boil and then simmer for about 5-8 minutes until all the water has evaporated and no mixture runs to the middle when peels are pushed to one side of the pan.

For the orange slices, add them in batches to coat and cook for about 5-8 minutes until fully coated in syrup.

Expert tip: If you make candied peels and slices simultaneously, coat the peels first. Remove them from the pan, then prepare another batch of syrup in the same pan for the orange slices.

Once coated thickly in the syrup, remove the peels or slices from the pan and transfer them to a parchment-lined baking tray. Any leftover syrup can be stored in an airtight container to top pancakes or desserts.

5) Quick-bake, then dry the orange peels or slices

Bake peels or slices in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15 minutes. Then, turn off the oven and let them dry until hardened and crystallized. Peels typically take 1-2 hours, while slices require about 12-24 hours, often left overnight.

After they’ve dried in the oven, you can transfer them to a wire rack and continue to dry them on the countertop until fully dried and hardened.

Ways to use Sugar-Free Candied Orange Peels or Slices

• Chop the peels into small pieces, and then add them to melted chocolate for candy bars.
• Use the chopped peels as a substitute in any recipe that calls for raisins or sultanas.
• Garnish your orange-flavoured cocktails with candied orange slices.
• Add chopped candied peels to a cake or cookie batter.
• Serve chocolate-dipped candied slices as a festive treat or wrap them individually to give out as gifts.
• Add chopped peels to your low-carb muffin and bread recipes.
• Coarsely chop the peels and add them to a low-carb granola or trail mix.

How to Store Sugar-Free Candied Orange Peels or Slices

Store the candied orange peels or slices in an airtight container in the fridge for 7-10 days.

Tips and Variations for Candied Orange Peels or Slices

• Candy lemons and limes are used the same way for garnishes, add-ins, and snacks.
• Use candied orange peel in recipes that call for orange zest or orange oil.
• Try to use organic Navel oranges, as the skins will be chemical-free.
• Boil the peels 3 times to remove the bitterness from the pith.
• Avoid overboiling the orange slices, and use a spatula to transfer them to the baking tray.
• If you don’t have date syrup, the recipe is just as delicious without it!

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