How to Make Orange Peel Powder

$3
4 Hours
Easy

Do you ever wonder what else you could do with your orange peels instead of just tossing them? One way you can put them to good use is to make orange peel powder! Orange peel powder can be used in baking or in making your own homemade bath and body products!


If your family is anything like mine, we love oranges. My kids can crush a bag of Cuties in less than a week. I’ve always felt guilty throwing away the orange peels and wondered what else I could use them for. I did some research and found that you can actually dry orange peels and make them into powder to use in all sorts of natural products and baking!


Orange peels are full of nutrients, just like the fruit itself, including lots of Vitamin C, fiber and compounds called polyphenols, which are full of antioxidants and are great for digestive and brain health! Saving, drying and using orange peels are a great way to not only get extra nutrients into your body, but also to reduce waste!


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TOOLS YOU MAY NEED


  • Large sheet pan
  • Silicone baking mat (optional)
  • High powdered blender or food processor
  • Glass container with lid


HOW TO MAKE ORANGE PEEL POWDER


To make orange peel powder, you have to start with oranges of course! And for this, it really doesn’t matter what type of oranges you use. If you’re using these for baking purposes, organic is best, but any orange will do!


Prior to peeling your oranges, be sure to wash and dry them thoroughly. Toss the peels in a gallon freezer bag and place the bag in the freezer. You can do this as you eat your oranges, so don’t worry about doing this all at once, unless you want to of course. I would try to make this orange peel powder within 3-4 months of filling the bag. If it’s helpful, I suggest labeling with the date you started adding the peels in.

Once the bag is full and you’re ready to make your orange peel powder, place the peels in an even layer on a lined baking sheet and bake at your oven’s lowest temperature (mine is 170 degrees F).

Allow the orange peels to bake for 4-6 hours, or more depending on your oven, and be sure to check periodically. You’ll know the orange peels are fully dried when you can snap them in half easily and there’s no moisture when you touch them.

Allow the peels to cool slightly and add them to a high powered blender or food processor and grind them until they are a fine powder. Add the orange peel powder to an airtight container and store in a cool dry spot for up to six months.


WAYS TO USE ORANGE PEEL POWDER


  • In a quick bread recipe like my zucchini bread recipe
  • Mix into your favorite homemade sugar scrub
  • Use it in your favorite loose leaf tea
  • Sprinkle into some epsom salts and add to a warm bath
  • Add to frosting or a dessert sauce
5 from 6 votes


Homemade Orange Peel Powder


Do you ever wonder what else you could do with your orange peels instead of just tossing them? One way you can put them to good use is to make orange peel powder! Orange peel powder can be used in baking or in making your own homemade bath and body products!


Prep Time0 minsTotal Time6 hrs


Yield: 4 oz


Cost: $3


Equipment
  • Large sheet pan
  • Silicone baking mat (optional)
  • High powdered blender or food processor
  • Glass container with lid


Materials
  • 1 bag oranges


Instructions
  • Wash oranges thoroughly, pat dry, then peel them. (See notes for more)
  • Place the peels in an even layer on a lined baking sheet and bake at your oven's lowest temperature (mine is 170 degrees F).
  • Allow the orange peels to bake for 4-6 hours, or more depending on your oven, checking periodically, until they are fully dried.
  • Allow the peels to cool slightly and add them to a high powered blender or food processor and grind them until they are a fine powder.
  • Add the orange peel powder to an airtight container and store in a cool dry spot for up to six months.


Notes
  • If you plan on using your orange peel powder in a food product, I’d suggest using organic oranges, if possible.
  • Place the orange peels in a gallon freezer bag as you use them and freeze in between if you don’t plan on peeling and eating a whole bag of oranges 😉
  • You’ll know the orange peels are fully dried when you can snap them in half easily and there’s no moisture when you touch them.

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The Simple Homeplace
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3 of 12 comments
  • The Simple Homeplace The Simple Homeplace on Feb 02, 2023

    I use the whole peel, pith and all!

  • Sue Ann Larzelere Sue Ann Larzelere on Nov 26, 2023

    So…… if I left them in a little to long and they are a little dark, do you think that they will be okay to use?

    • The Simple Homeplace The Simple Homeplace on Nov 29, 2023

      It depends on what you're using it for. If you're making powder to use in teas or foods, it may alter the flavor depending on how dark they are. If you're using them to make powder for sugar scrubs and things like that, they should be fine as long as they aren't burnt. However, I haven't had this experience, so I'm not 100% sure.

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