Ditch the store-bought candy and whip up a batch of candied citrus peels at home. This recipe is surprisingly simple and uses fresh lemons and grapefruits to create a delicious and customizable treat. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover citrus fruits!

Sour candied citrus fruit peels in a glass bowl.

Ingredients:

  • 3 lemons
  • 3 grapefruits
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups water

For the Coating: 

  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon citric acid

Recipe Instructions

Step 1: Begin by cutting off the ends of your lemons and grapefruits. Carefully score the peel from top to bottom while working your way around the fruit.

Scoring the grapefruit with a sharp knife.

Step 2: Use your fingers or a paring knife (being careful if you use a knife) to gently remove each peel from the citrus fruit.

Carefully cutting the peels off with a sharp knife.

Step 3: Cover the peels with fresh water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Let them simmer for 5 minutes, then drain the water.

Step 4: Add both the sugar and water to the saucepan. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely, then add the peels back in and bring it to a simmer, cooking for 1 hour.

Simmering fruit peels in water and sugar.

Step 5: Once the hour is up, remove the peels from the syrup and spread them out on a drying rack. Let them sit for 3 hours, allowing them to dry completely.

Drying the fruit peels on a rack before tossing in the sugar and citric acid mixture.

Step 6: In a mixing bowl, combine the remaining ½ cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon of citric acid. Toss the dried peels in this mixture to coat them evenly.

Mixing up the sugar and citric acid for the fruit peels.

Enjoy!

Sour candied fruit peels in a small glass bowl.

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Additional Tips:

  • While I use lemons and grapefruits, this method can be applied to other citrus fruits, such as oranges or limes.
  • The thickness of the candied peel can be adjusted based on preference. Thicker peels offer a chewier texture, while thinner strips will dry faster and have a more intense citrus flavor.
  • The drying time can vary depending on the humidity levels in your kitchen. If your peels aren’t fully dry after 3 hours, simply leave them on the drying rack for a bit longer.
  • Store your finished candied citrus peels in an airtight container in the fridge.
Sour candied citrus fruit peels in a glass bowl.

Sour Candied Citrus Fruit Peels

Laura Ascher
Looking for a unique and delicious snack? Look no further than sour candied citrus peels! This recipe uses simple ingredients to create a vibrant and flavorful treat that's perfect for any occasion.
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Drying time 3 hours
Total Time 4 hours 25 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 239 kcal

Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Drying racks

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lemons
  • 3 grapefruits
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups water

For the Coating

  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon citric acid

Instructions
 

  • Begin by cutting off the ends of your lemons and grapefruits. Carefully score the peels from top to bottom.
  • Use your fingers or a paring knife (being careful if you use a knife) to gently remove each peel from the citrus fruit.
  • In a saucepan, cover the peels with fresh water and bring to a boil. Let them simmer for 5 minutes, then drain the water.
  • Add both the sugar and water to the saucepan. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely, then add the peels back in and bring it to a simmer, cooking for 1 hour.
  • Once the hour is up, remove the peels from the syrup and spread them out on a drying rack. Let them sit for 3 hours, allowing them to dry completely.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the remaining ½ cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon of citric acid. Toss the dried peels in this mixture to coat them evenly.

Notes

I’ve included step-by-step images in the post above for visual guidance.
While I use lemons and grapefruits, this method can be applied to other citrus fruits like oranges, or limes.
The thickness of the candied peel can be adjusted based on preference. Thicker peels offer a chewier texture, while thinner strips will dry faster and have a more intense citrus flavor.
The drying time can vary depending on the humidity levels in your kitchen. If your peels aren’t fully dry after 3 hours, simply leave them on the drying rack for a bit longer.
Store your finished candied citrus peels in an airtight container in the fridge.

Nutrition

Calories: 239kcalCarbohydrates: 61gProtein: 1gFat: 0.4gSaturated Fat: 0.03gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 149mgFiber: 2gSugar: 56gVitamin A: 890IUVitamin C: 41mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 0.3mg
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This website provides approximate nutrition information based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands, measuring methods and portion sizes per household. We recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer.

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