Candied Grapefruit Peel Recipes You're Sure to Love

Candied grapefruit peels

Not all candy has to come from a wrapper! Candied grapefruit peels bring the right mix of flavor and fun, with the bonus of being a healthier choice. These chewy bites are made from real citrus fruit and can even offer some surprising health benefits!

Best of all, they’re just in time for Halloween, and you can pack them in gift baggies for a healthier sweet treat that kids and adults will both enjoy. Keep reading to learn about simple candied grapefruit peel recipes you’re sure to love this season, using our Texas Rio red grapefruits!

Key Takeaways

  • Candied citrus peel makes a fun, healthier Halloween gift baggie idea compared to store-bought candy.
  • You can make it with sugar syrup or light corn syrup, and even dip it in dark chocolate.
  • With the right technique and syrup proportions, you can make a treat that will make everyone’s day a little sweeter!
  • These recipes are easy to follow and let you control the syrup proportions and ingredients.

Candied Grapefruit Peel Recipe With Light Corn Syrup

This candied grapefruit peel recipe is simple, sweet, and a fun way to use up grapefruit rinds. It comes out as a chewy, tasty treat, either plain or dipped in dark chocolate. You can even pack the finished candied peels in a plastic bag for a gift or Halloween treat. 

This candy can last for weeks in an airtight container, making it great for sharing. We recommend using natural corn syrup when making candied citrus peel, since it helps the peels stay soft and not too hard. In the recipe list below, you’ll see light corn syrup used in combination with sugar syrup.

Ingredients

  • 2 Texas Rio red grapefruit 
  • 3 cups of sugar
  • Water
  • 2 tablespoons of light corn syrup

Instructions

  1. Cut each grapefruit in half and scoop out the fruit with a spoon or grapefruit spoon if you have one. You can save the fruit for juice or snacking. 
  2. Remove the white pith if needed, then slice the peel into long strips about ½ inch wide.
  3. Place the grapefruit peels in a pot of cold water and bring to a boil for five minutes, then drain. 
  4. Repeat this blanching process with fresh water two more times to reduce the bitterness.
  5. In the same pot, add two cups of sugar, one cup of water, and two tablespoons of light corn syrup, then boil on low heat.
  6. Add the peels to the pot and simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes until they look shiny and almost see-through. Stir periodically to keep the syrup proportions even.
  7. Use tongs to remove the peels and place them on a wire rack or waxed paper to dry overnight. 
  8. If you are in a hurry, place them in a 180°F oven for about two hours to dry.
  9. When the peel is still a little sticky, roll each piece in the last cup of sugar, then shake off the excess sugar.

Candied Grapefruit Peels With Sugar Syrup

Candied grapefruit peels with sugar syrup are great and super easy to make at home. They are chewy, sweet, and a great way to use grapefruit rinds instead of tossing them out. You can keep your candied grapefruit peels in an airtight container to make them last longer. They make a tasty whole food snack and are great for gift baggies at Halloween.

Rather than using corn syrup, this recipe uses sugar syrup only to make some tasty, wholesome treats! No matter which recipe you choose, you’re sure to have a delicious time!

Ingredients

  • 2 Texas Rio red grapefruit
  • 3 cups of sugar
  • Water
  • Waxed paper or a wire rack for drying

Instructions

  1. Cut the grapefruits in half, scoop out the fruit, and trim off the white pith. 
  2. Slice the peels into strips about ½ inch wide.
  3. Place the peels in a pot of cold water, boil it for about five minutes, then drain it. 
  4. Repeat the boiling process twice with fresh water to reduce the bitterness of the peel.
  5. In a pot, combine two cups of sugar and one cup of water, then bring it to a boil and reduce to low heat. 
  6. Add the peels and simmer for about 20 minutes until they look soft and shiny.
  7. Place the cooked peels on waxed paper or a wire rack and let them dry overnight. You can also cook in a 180°F oven for about two hours.
  8. Roll the sticky peels in the last cup of sugar, shake off the excess sugar, and enjoy your finished candied peels.

Chocolate-Covered Candied Grapefruit Peels

This idea uses candied grapefruit peels made with the recipes above. They make a whole food snack and are a healthier pick than candy made with high fructose corn syrup. Dipping them in chocolate makes the chewy citrus even more special, with a sweet and bitter taste that feels just right. After all, what’s better than fruit and chocolate together?

Ingredients

  • Candied grapefruit peels (made with the methods shown above)  
  • Dipping chocolate of your choice 

Instructions

  1. Use a microwave in short bursts or a double boiler to melt the chocolate and stir until it’s smooth.
  2. Hold a candied peel by one end and dip half or all of it in the chocolate, letting the excess drip off.
  3. Lay your dipped peels on waxed paper or a wire rack until the chocolate is hard. You can use tempered chocolate if you want a shiny, firm coat.
  4. Let the finished candied peels set fully, then put them in an airtight container or pack them in gift baggies for Halloween. 

Why Choose Candied Grapefruit Over Store-Bought Candies?

Candied grapefruit peel is a tasty whole food treat that gives you nutrients you won’t find in store-bought candies made with high fructose syrup and other harsh chemicals. Winter Sweetz grapefruits are packed with vitamins, fiber, and natural plant compounds that help your body in many ways. Below, you can learn about a few of the top healthy nutrients you can get from grapefruits:

  • Vitamin C – A half grapefruit has almost two-thirds of your daily vitamin C. This helps your immune system fight off colds and keeps your skin glowing.
  • Vitamin A – This vitamin is good for your eyes, skin, heart, and lungs. Just from half a Texas Rio red grapefruit,  you can get about 30% of what you need each day.
  • Fiber – Grapefruit peels and fresh fruit both give you fiber, which keeps digestion smooth and helps you feel full longer.
  • Potassium – Grapefruit has nearly as much potassium as a banana. Potassium supports your heart, muscles, and kidneys.
  • Lycopene and Beta-Carotene – These antioxidants are what give the fruit its red color. They fight inflammation and may lower the risk of heart disease and cancer.
  • Naringenin – This is a natural flavonoid found in citrus peels. Studies have shown that it has anti-inflammatory and heart-protective effects.

Celebrate Halloween With Treats Made From Texas Rio Red Grapefruit

Candied grapefruit peels are a sweet way to enjoy more of your fruit and cut back on waste. Every peel carries more than just flavor, which makes it a smarter choice than candy packed with high fructose syrup. Our tasty Texas Rio red grapefruits keep the doctor away with their awesome health benefits.

At Winter Sweetz, we’re proud to share the juiciest Texas Rio red grapefruit that inspires recipes like these. Our harvest season is about to start, and you can sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know when fresh, sweet grapefruits are back to brighten up your holidays!

If you want to make your holidays sweeter with fresh citrus recipes, sign up for our newsletter!

 

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