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Ever find yourself tossing out lemon peels after squeezing fresh juice? Stop right there! Instead of wasting those vibrant citrus rinds, turn them into a chewy, sweet-tart candied lemon peel treat. It’s a simple, old-fashioned recipe that transforms something often discarded into a delicious snack, cocktail garnish, or baking ingredient.
Not only is it easy to make, but this candied lemon peels recipe also has a long shelf life, making it perfect for meal prep, gifting, or just having on hand when you need a little something sweet. Plus, it’s a great way to reduce food waste while enjoying a homemade treat!
Why This Recipe Rawks
This candied lemon peel recipe isn’t just tasty—it’s incredibly practical and surprisingly versatile. Here’s why you’ll love making it:
- Reduces waste: Gives leftover lemon peels a second life instead of tossing them.
- Easy to make: Just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort.
- Versatile: Use it for baking, cocktails, snacking, or as a homemade gift.
- Long shelf life: When stored properly, candied lemon peel stays fresh for weeks.
Candied Lemon Peel Ingredients
You only need two ingredients to make candied lemon peels (plus water). That’s it! If you prefer a more natural version, you can swap granulated sugar for honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar or get more ideas from my list of the best natural sweeteners.
- Lemon peels: You will need the peel of four to five lemons for this recipe. I like to use organic ones to make sure there are no pesticides in the skins.
- Granulated sugar. The sugar gives the lemon peels their sweet flavor, but it doesn’t overpower their naturally tangy citrus flavor. You can swap the sugar for date sugar or coconut sugar if you want a less processed option.
organic lemon vs conventional
I recommend buying organic lemons for this lemon peel recipe since most of the pesticides are found on the peel. If using conventional lemons, use a veggie wash and scrub the heck of out them with a bristle brush.
How to Make Candied Lemon Peel
Making candied lemon peel is easier than you think! Just follow these simple steps:
- Cut the peel into four or more vertical segments, keeping some of the pith, then slice into 1/4-inch wide strips.
- Boil 1 cup of water with 2 cups of sugar in a pot until the sugar dissolves. Simmer the lemon peels in the syrup over low heat for 45-60 minutes.
- Coat the hot, wet peels in sugar by tossing them in a bowl or shaking them in a ziplock bag.
- Let dry on a wire rack for several hours until the peels are firm and no longer sticky.
Health Benefits of Lemon Peels
Lemon peels aren’t just a flavorful addition to recipes. They’re packed with powerful nutrients that can benefit your health in surprising ways! Here’s why you can enjoy this lemon peel candy:
- High in Vitamin C: Lemon peels are rich in vitamin C, which helps strengthen the immune system, promotes healthy skin, and supports collagen production for a youthful glow.
- Rich in fiber: With a good amount of dietary fiber, lemon peels aid digestion, support gut health, and help regulate blood sugar levels, keeping you fuller for longer.
- Loaded with antioxidants: Packed with flavonoids and polyphenols, lemon peels help fight inflammation, combat free radicals, and reduce oxidative stress, which may lower the risk of chronic diseases.
- Contains essential oils: Natural compounds like limonene and citral found in lemon peels have antimicrobial properties, helping to fight bacteria, while also offering mood-boosting and stress-relieving benefits.
- Good source of minerals: Lemon peels provide essential minerals like calcium and potassium, which contribute to strong bones, proper muscle function, and a healthy heart.
Easy Swaps and Add-ins
Want to switch things up in a recipe for candied lemon peel? Here are some fun variations you can try :
- Swap lemons: Try a different citrus flavor by using orange or grapefruits.
- Swap refined sugar: Use honey or coconut sugar instead of refined sugar for a healthier option in your candied lemon peel.
- Add spice: Add cinnamon, cloves, rosemary, vanilla bean or nutmeg to the sugar syrup for a subtle depth of flavor that makes your candied lemon peel even more special.
- Add chocolate: Dip the candied peels in melted dark chocolate for a decadent treat.
Common Questions
To make lemon peel candy, start by cutting the lemon peel into thin strips, keeping some of the white pith for texture. To remove bitterness, blanch the peels by boiling them in water for a few minutes, then draining and repeating the process two more times. Next, prepare a sugar syrup by boiling equal parts sugar and water until the sugar dissolves. Add the lemon peels and let them simmer over low heat for about 45-60 minutes until they become translucent. Once done, remove the peels from the syrup and toss them in granulated sugar while still warm. Finally, spread them out on a wire rack to dry for a few hours until firm and no longer sticky. Your homemade candy lemon peel recipe is now ready to enjoy!
Candied lemon peel can last up to a month when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer shelf life, keep them in the refrigerator for up to three months or freeze them for up to six months. To prevent sticking, layer them with parchment paper or dust them with extra sugar before storing. Properly dried and stored candied peels stay fresh and flavorful for weeks, making them a great make-ahead treat!
Candied peels offer some health benefits but should be enjoyed in moderation. Since they retain the fiber, vitamin C, antioxidants, and essential oils found in citrus peels, they can support digestion, immunity, and overall health. However, they are coated in sugar, which adds extra calories and reduces their nutritional value.
For a healthier version, consider using natural sweeteners like honey or coconut sugar. While not a superfood, candied peels are a tasty way to enjoy some of the nutrients found in citrus!
Candied peel can taste bitter if too much of the white pith is left on or if it isn’t properly blanched before candying. The pith contains natural bitter compounds, which can overpower the sweetness of the sugar syrup. To reduce bitterness, blanch the peels by boiling them in water for a few minutes, then draining and repeating this process two or three times.
This helps remove excess bitterness while keeping the citrusy flavor intact. Choosing thinner-skinned lemons or scraping off some of the pith can also result in a sweeter, more enjoyable candied peel.
Lemon peel is rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber, particularly pectin, which may support digestion and help you feel full longer. While there’s no strong scientific evidence that lemon peel directly reduces belly fat, including it as part of a healthy diet may support weight management. For best results, combine lemon peel with a balanced diet and regular exercise.
More Lemon Recipes You’ll Love
If you can’t get enough lemon in your life, here’s 4 more recipes to enjoy!
If you make this Candied Lemon Peel, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.
Sweet Candied Lemon Peel
Ingredients
- 5 lemons
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup water
- Fine granulated sugar for coating
Instructions
- Slice both ends of the lemon. Cut the peel on each into 4 or more vertical segments, depending on the size of the fruit. Peel off each segment of rind. Keep some of the pith. Slice the peels into 1/4 inch wide strips.
- Boil the peels in a pot of water for 15 minutes. Drain in a colander, rinse and then drain again.
- Repeat the blanching process two more times to reduce the bitter flavor from the peels.
- Add 1 cup of fresh water and 2 cups sugar to a pot and bring to a boil, until the sugar is dissolved. Add the lemon peels, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peels become translucent and the syrup becomes lightly syrupy.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove a few of the peels at a time and let the excess syrup drip off for a few seconds. Place the hot, wet peels in a bowl of sugar or a ziplock bag with sugar in it and toss/shake to coat.
Equipment
- sharp knife
- Medium saucepan
- Slotted spoon
- Wire rack
- Mixing bowl or ziplock bag
Notes
- For a less bitter peel, scrape off some of the white pith before candying.
- Want extra flavor? Add vanilla bean, cinnamon, or fresh ginger to the sugar syrup.
- For a chocolate twist, dip the dried peels in melted dark chocolate and let them set before enjoying.
Made this and was super happy with how it turned out. It took awhile to boil down the peels, but I get why that’s needed. It’s nice to have a lemon treat in the house that was made from my scraps!
Woo hoo! Glad you gave this one a try and it was a success, Tracee!