Orange peel powder can subtly elevate a wide variety of dishes. And the best part? You can make it virtually for free!

Welcome back to Scrappy Cooking! Fruit and vegetable peels are one of the biggest components when it comes to food waste. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be! The skin and peel of many produce items are perfectly fine to eat… after a makeover. We already tackled banana peels, sweet potato skins, apple cores, and lemon rinds. Now it’s time to turn orange peel into a zesty food flavoring!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • This orange peel powder is made using ONLY ONE ingredient! Even better, this is the part of the orange that’s usually thrown away, so it’s basically free.
  • The only equipment you’ll really need is a blender or spice grinder. The rest is optional!
  • This recipe is a great way to provide a zesty kick for salads, stir-fry dishes, and desserts.
  • By making this orange peel powder, you’re saving money AND reducing your personal food waste! Yay for a smaller carbon footprint!
  • When you make your own spices and flavorings, you know exactly what’s in them. This is a complete game changer!

How to Make This Recipe

Peel your oranges and reserve the skins. You can use the orange for wellness shots, salads, dressings, and more.

Arrange the peels on a tray lined with baking parchment. Next, you just have to place the tray on a sunny windowsill or balcony. Wait for the peels to dry in the sun, or remove moisture in a dehydrator for up to 24 hours. You can also use a conventional oven set to its lowest temperature for six hours. When fully dried, the peels should be hard and possible to snap.

Place the dehydrated orange peels in a blender and combine until they become a fine powder.

Your orange peel powder is ready!

Hack It!

  • Dried orange peels also make a great deodorizer! If your household goes through a lot of oranges, save the dried peels and use them to freshen your clothes drawers.
  • Another great use for dried orange peel powder is mulled wine! Warm up some red wine with orange juice, cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel powder, and enjoy the taste of Christmas!
  • Orange peel powder is a great addition to stir fry sauces, salad dressings, spice rubs, and desserts.
  • If you do not have a grinder or blender… don’t give up. Pop the peels in a tea towel or cloth bag. Use a rolling pin to smash it into fine powder. Alternatively, use a pestle and mortar.
  • Orange peel powder makes a fantastic homemade gift for any occasion. Show your friends and family that you care!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is orange peel powder used for? One of the biggest reasons to add orange peel powder to your meals is for the zesty citrus flavor. However, it can also be used externally to help your skin!
  • How do I use orange peel powder for my face? You can create beautiful homemade face masks by mixing orange peel powder with citrus juice, witch hazel, or yogurt.
  • How do you store orange peel powder? Store it in an airtight container at room temperature. Make sure the peels are thoroughly dry before you grind them. If you keep it away from direct sunlight, the powder will maintain its vibrant shade of orange.
  • I use a lot of oranges. What else can I do with orange peels? Excellent question. Dried orange peels make a great natural deodorizer and natural firelighters. Fresh peel can be added to mulled wine and Christmas potpourri.

Other Recipes You’ll Love

I’ve lost count how many Scrappy Cooking recipes I’ve done so far… And ever since my debut cookbook has come out, I’ve been asked if the next one will include some scrappy recipes. The truth is, even if the Scrappy Book will ever become a reality, it takes at least a couple of years to develop a new cookbook. In the meanwhile, enjoy the PlantYou Cookbook that just came back into stock with major online retailers! The book features a collection of over 140 recipes for every occasion!

You might also want to take advantage of the PlantYou Planner! Our digital meal planner has a huge database with over 600 recipes. You can fully customize your weekly meal plans by selecting your menu and toggling the number of servings to suit the size of any household. To make it even easier, the planner generates a dynamic shopping list that reflects your selection. Plant-based living has never been easier!

The Recipe: Orange Peel Powder

Don't throw out your orange peels. Make orange peel powder instead!
5 from 4 ratings

Ingredients

  • 10 orange peels

Equipment

  • Dehydrator or oven optional
  • Non-stick parchment
  • Blender or spice grinder

Instructions 

  • Peel your oranges and reserve the skins.
  • Dehydrate the orange peels in the sun, or alternatively in a dehydrator for up to 24 hours. You can also use a conventional oven set to its lowest temperature for six hours.
  • Place the dehydrated orange peels in a blender and combine until they become a fine powder.
  • Store in the fridge until you’re ready to use. This makes an excellent garnish on vegan desserts or a citrus kick to stir fries.
Calories: 116.4kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 1.8g, Fat: 0.2g, Saturated Fat: 0.1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Sodium: 3.6mg, Potassium: 254.4mg, Fiber: 12.7g, Vitamin A: 504IU, Vitamin C: 163.2mg, Calcium: 193.2mg, Iron: 1mg