Candied orange slices are a pretty addition to any dessert platter and only need three ingredients and come together quicker since we use the oven to speed up the drying process. They also make great snacks, dessert, or beautiful topping for cakes.

Plate of candied oranges dipped in sugar on a plate with rosemary twigs and twinkle lights surrounding it. — Candied orange slices dipped in sugar, ready to serve.

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We have been so into oranges over here.

My kids eat a bag of them almost as soon as I bring them home.

And I’ve been perfuming our house with pretty dried orange slice ornaments and these Christmas simmer pots with oranges, apples, and cranberries.

Of course, I had to try my hand at making candied orange slices.

And I did a couple test runs and realized that I (see also: my children) don’t have the patience to wait for them to dry.

But!

I found you can speed along the process to dry the candied orange slices in the oven so they are ready the same day and not a few days later!

And the land rejoices!

Yay!

Ingredients and Kitchen Supplies

Ingredients for candied orange slices: sugar, water, and oranges.

You only need three simple ingredients for candied orange slices, including:

Small Oranges – We use smaller oranges to help make it easier to fully dry the orange slices in the oven. They also hold together a bit better for smaller circles.
Water – You will need water from the tap. You could go fancy with filtered water if you like, but plain water from your faucet works fine.
Sugar – You will need granulated sugar for candied orange slices.

You probably already have everything you need on hand to make these orange slices, but you will want to pull out your:

How to Make Candied Orange Slices

1. Thinly slice your oranges.

Sliced orange on a white cutting board with a serated knife. — Sliced orange for candied orange slices.

Slice off the top and bottom of the orange, exposing the very bottom and top of the wedges.

Carefully slice about 1/8 inch wide wheels.

The thinner you slice the orange wheels, the quicker it will dry in the oven and absorb the sugar as you boil them.

Try to make them uniform in size as best you can.

2. Boil the water and sugar.

Orange slices in pot of simmering sugar water.

Pour the sugar and water into a saucepan.

Set the burner to medium-high heat and bring the water to a boil, stirring occassionally.

The sugar will melt into the water as it starts to come to a boil.

The sugar needs to fully dissolve before adding the orange slices.

3. Simmer the orange slices.

Once the water comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and add in the orange slices.

Allow the orange slices to simmer gently for about 45 to 60 minutes or until the white part of the peel becomes nearly translucent.

Use tongs to flip the oranges a few times throughout the cooking process.

4. Bake the candied orange slices in oven on low heat.

Boiled orange slices on a cooling rack sitting on a foil lined sheet.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or place a metal cooling rack on the cookie sheet.

Use tongs to place the orange slices in a single layer on the cooling rack or parchment paper.

Place the the cookie sheet(s) in an oven set to 200 degrees or the lowest setting your oven has.

Bake for about 2 to 4 hours or until they are a bit tacky but set.

Optional Step– But Highly Recommended

Candied orange slice dipped in bowl of granulated sugar.

Pour about a half-cup of granulated sugar into a small bowl.

Gently push both sides of fully baked candied orange slices into the sugar.

Candied orange slice coated in sugar held over a bowl of sugar. — Candied orange slice dipped in sugar. See! So pretty!

This helps to give the orange slices a bit more sweetness, helps reduce their tackiness, and also gives them a nice frosted look.

Serving and Storing

Candied orange slices dipped in granulated sugar on a clear plate. — Candied orange slices dipped in sugar.

You can serve candied orange slices on their own as a snack or dessert.

They make a lovely addition to any dessert spread or platter and are perfect for gifting if you pack them in a cookie tin with layers of parchment between them.

You can also top cakes or other desserts with candied orange slices as an edible bit of flair.

You might also like using them to decorate cocktails, like these Christmas morning mimosas or these blood orange mimosas.

To store, place the cooled candied orange slices in an air tight container.

They should stay fresh for a few weeks if kept in an airtight container.

Tips and Tricks

Holding a dipped candied orange slice over a plate of more sugar dipped candied orange slices and twinkle lights. — Candied orange slices dipped in sugar, ready to serve.

Keep the orange slices a uniform thickness so they bake and dry evenly.
Thicker slices need longer times to dry fully, while thinner slices tend to dry faster and absorb more of the sugar.
We cut off the tops and bottoms of the orange and discard them. We find that candied orange slices that are mostly rind maintain a lot of the sour, unpleasant flavor of the rind.
Dip the dried candied orange slices into chocolate, white chocolate, or melted candies for added flavor.
Make sure the water does not get too hot for too long. This helps to prevent the sugar from caramelizing.

Other Homemade Candies to Try

If you want some more homemade candy recipes to try, check these out:

LMNA Wood Rings - Shop for unique, handcrafted rings. Click here.

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