Candied Oranges (orange gummy candy)

This recipe transforms fresh tangerines, mandarins, or oranges into chewy, tangy gummy candied oranges with a delightful citrus flavor.

By simmering the orange segments in a sweet syrup, then air-frying or baking them to achieve the perfect gummy-like texture, these treats become both a fun snack and a creative use of fresh fruit.

Coated in a sugar and citric acid mixture for an extra burst of flavor, these homemade gummies are easy to make and perfect for those who love a sweet and sour combination.

Plus, the leftover syrup can be saved for future recipes or drinks!

Equipment

• Medium pot (For boiling the orange segments with water and sugar.)
• Air Fryer (To dehydrate the orange segments and achieve the gummy-like texture.)
• Slotted spoon (To remove the boiled orange segments from the pot.)
• Parchment paper (For lining the air fryer basket.)
• Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients  

• 5 tangerines (can also use oranges or mandarins; fist-size)
• 1½ cup water (for boiling)
• ½ cup sugar (for boiling)
• ½ cup sugar (for coating)
• ¼ tsp citric acid (for coating)

Instructions 

1. In a medium-sized pot, combine 1½ cups of water and ½ cup of sugar. Add the peeled tangerine/mandarins/orange segments to the pot and bring to a boil over medium heat.

2. Reduce heat to low and let the oranges simmer in the sugar water for about 10 minutes, until they soften slightly and absorb some of the syrup.

3. Remove the orange segments from the pot with a slotted spoon, setting them aside on a plate. Save the sugar water to use as an orange syrup for future recipes.

4. Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. Arrange the orange segments in a single layer, making sure they are evenly spaced.

5. Set the air fryer to 250°F (120°C) and cook the orange segments for 1 hour, flipping them halfway through at 30 minutes. (Alternatively, you can line a baking tray and bake the orange segments in the oven at the same temperature. The baking time may be longer than in the air fryer, so adjust based on observation. The segments should reach a chewy, gummy-like texture.)

6. Mix together 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 tsp citric acid in a small bowl.

7. While still slightly sticky, toss the orange gummy segments in the sugar and citric acid mixture until they are well coated.

8. Store the orange gummy candies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Use the saved orange syrup for other recipes, drinks, or desserts!

Helpful tips for making candied oranges:

1. Choose Your Fruits: Oranges are typically larger, with a sweet, well-balanced flavor. But they have a thicker skin that could be harder to peel. Mandarins are smaller, easier to peel, and sweeter, boasting a loose, thin skin. Personally, I prefer tangerines, a specific type of mandarin, as they are slightly larger and often more flavorful, and very easy to peel. Feel free to choose any of these three fruits for this recipe based on your personal preference.

2. Peel Gently: When peeling the oranges, be careful not to break the delicate skin on the segments. This will help maintain their shape and texture during cooking and drying.

3. Simmer and Stir Gently: When simmering the orange segments, stir gently to avoid breaking the delicate skin. This will help keep the segments intact and ensure they hold their shape throughout the cooking process.

4. Use Parchment Paper: Line your air fryer basket or baking tray with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

5. Check for Doneness: Check and flip the orange segments every 20 minutes to prevent burning or over-drying. The texture should be chewy but not hard.

6. Adjust Coating to Taste: Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar and citric acid in the coating mixture based on your sweetness and tartness preference. If you don’t have citric acid, you can roll each dehydrated orange segment in lemon juice before coating with sugar for a similar sweet-tart flavor. However, using citric acid may help extend the shelf life of the candies.

7. Store Properly: Keep the gummy candies in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge to maintain their texture. If they start to stick together, toss them with a bit more sugar.

My other orange recipes you will also like:

Candied Oranges (orange gummy candy)

Ms Shi and Mr He

This recipe transforms fresh tangerines, mandarins, or oranges into chewy, tangy gummy candied oranges with a delightful citrus flavor. By simmering the orange segments in a sweet syrup, then air-frying or baking them to achieve the perfect gummy-like texture, these treats become both a fun snack and a creative use of fresh fruit.

4 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 10 servings

Equipment

• medium pot (For boiling the orange segments with water and sugar.)
• Air Fryer (To dehydrate the orange segments and achieve the gummy-like texture.)
• Slotted spoon (To remove the boiled orange segments from the pot.)
• Parchment paper (For lining the air fryer basket.)
• Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

  

• 5 tangerines (can also use oranges or mandarins; fist-size)
• 1½ cup water (for boiling)
• ½ cup sugar (for boiling)
• ½ cup sugar (for coating)
• ¼ tsp citric acid (for coating)

Instructions

 

• In a medium-sized pot, combine 1½ cups of water and ½ cup of sugar. Add the peeled tangerine/mandarins/orange segments to the pot and bring to a boil over medium heat.
• Reduce heat to low and let the oranges simmer in the sugar water for about 10 minutes, until they soften slightly and absorb some of the syrup.
• Remove the orange segments from the pot with a slotted spoon, setting them aside on a plate. Save the sugar water to use as an orange syrup for future recipes.
• Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. Arrange the orange segments in a single layer, making sure they are evenly spaced.
• Set the air fryer to 250°F (120°C) and cook the orange segments for 1 hour, flipping them halfway through at 30 minutes. (Alternatively, you can line a baking tray and bake the orange segments in the oven at the same temperature. The baking time may be longer than in the air fryer, so adjust based on observation. The segments should reach a chewy, gummy-like texture.)
• Mix together 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 tsp citric acid in a small bowl.
• While still slightly sticky, toss the orange gummy segments in the sugar and citric acid mixture until they are well coated.
• Store the orange gummy candies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Use the saved orange syrup for other recipes, drinks, or desserts!

Video

Keyword candied orange, orange gummy candy, orange slices candy