Candied watermelon rind is a fun treat and a terrific way to use some of your food scraps and turn them into something you'd want to eat!
I saw this recipe over at Sew Historically and knew I had to give it a try. Watermelon rind is edible, though not especially tasty raw. My kids are watermelon monsters, so I buy one almost every week in the summer, leaving us with A LOT of rinds to compost or throw away. In the past I've canned watermelon rind pickles, but these days I don't really get as much canning done as I used to, so I loved finding a new way to use the rinds.
The process to candy the rind takes about 4 days, but most of the time is completely hands-off. I scaled up the recipe to make more and I added some drying time in the direct sunlight. It's an imperfect process that you have to play by ear; a dehydrator may be helpful here and cut down on drying time, but mine turned out delicious!
Candied watermelon rind is similar to other candied rinds like oranges, lemon, and grapefruits. Watermelon rind is bland in flavor, so the lemon in this recipe adds the flavor.
These are a fun and tasty treat to eat out of hand for a few days - they are almost like a fruit snack in a way. Their shape and texture also remind me of a gummy worm - sweet, a little tart, and a touch chewy. We eat them out of hand, but you can use them to decorate the tops of cupcakes or other treats as well.
Yield: about 10 servings
Author: Amy Bartlett (Savory Moments)
Author: Amy Bartlett (Savory Moments)

Candied Watermelon Rind
Candied watermelon rind is a fun treat and a terrific way to use some of your food scraps and turn them into something you'd want to eat!
Ingredients:
Part 1
- about 6 heaped cups watermelon rind, cut into about 2-inch strips approximately 1/4-inch wide and green portion removed (it's okay to leave some pink, though it takes longer to fully dry)
- 6 cups water
- 1-1/2 tablespoons salt
Part 2
- 3 cups water
- 3 cups sugar
- 1 lemon, sliced
Instructions:
- Part 1: In a large bowl or container, stir everything together. Cover with plastic wrap/lid and let the rinds soak in the refrigerator overnight. Drain and rinse the rind. Place the rind in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and then reduce and simmer for one hour. Drain again.
- Part 2: In a saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil. Stir and when the sugar is dissolved, add the watermelon rinds and lemon slices. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain again and then transfer the rinds to a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicon mat. Let dry for about 36-48 hours, turning halfway through (I put mine out into the sun for about 4-5 hours halfway through to help).
Notes:
You can add other flavorings with the lemon like ginger or cinnamon as well, if desired. The finished product does not taste like watermelon. It tastes like sweet lemon. Store in an airtight container and snack on as desired.
I hope you give these candied watermelon rinds a try! Let me know in the comments below.
Looking for another way to use up your watermelon rinds? Check out these watermelon rind pickles.
What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI've never had this but it looks brilliant. So tasty!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! It's a great way to have a nice snack and reduce waste!
ReplyDeleteI am definitely intrigued. I am going to have to give this a try when our CSA gives us melons!
ReplyDeleteWow! I didn't know about this idea and this is definitely my favorite part of the watermelon!
ReplyDeleteWhat a unique treat! I haven't seen this before now I will have to try it for sure.
ReplyDeletethis seems like a real labor of love, but worth it in the end!!
ReplyDeleteWow Amy, Thank you for sharing this. I love watermelon. I never thought and I have never tasted candied watermelon before. I will try this. Thank you for coming over to my place too. Appreciate it. Have a great weekend.
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What a tasty was to use all the melon! Summer melons are the best!
ReplyDeleteAmy this looks absolutely beautiful ! xo
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun treat! My kids would love this. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friday!
ReplyDeleteThanks for trying out the recipe. I'm glad you liked it! :)
ReplyDeleteOhh I haven't done this in so long and forgot how good it is! Great recipe Amy
ReplyDeleteI grew up eating watermelon rind preserves and since make rind candies. I love your method for the candies and will be trying it. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis looks brilliant and tempting, please can I have some? 😂 😂
ReplyDeleteWow! This is simple recipe yet a delicious rind, I will be the first person to make this in estate. Thanks Amy.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the feature on Foodie Friday. This recipe sounds very interesting. I'm anxious to try it.
ReplyDeleteYou could add candy flavorings too to make it taste like watermelon or strawberry watermelon
ReplyDeleteThis is so pretty! It would be great on top of a cake!
ReplyDeleteMy kids are always trying to eat the rind when they have a slice of watermelon. I'll have to try this with the next watermelon we get.
ReplyDeleteHow fun is this to make and EAT
ReplyDeleteThis is SUCH a fun idea! Next summery watermelon we pick up, we'll definitely have to try this out!
ReplyDeleteI am a little intimidated by 4 days, but you know what? I have nothing but time on my hands...this is happening!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to give this a try- these sound delicious!
ReplyDeleteThese really make me want to go buy a watermelon just to make them!
ReplyDeleteCan I do this same recipe but with apricots to make candied dried apricots?!
ReplyDeleteI don't know! I've never made fried apricots or tried to candy them before. It would be a fun experiment.
DeleteI’ll give it try this weekend and keep you posted !!! Have a tree and now have 20lbs of fresh apricots !!
ReplyDeleteI tried these and I love them ... I’m also going to make more of them and hang some from my Christmas tree ... with a metal hang tag for an ornament ... hanging dried fruit on my Christmas tree makes it very beautiful and smells wonderfully delicious as well ... a little bit of dried orange lemons grapefruits dried and hung as well in my tree with a few little cloves attached on some and cinnamon and sugared lemon dried hung etc.. with. Little a little bit of real thyme branches plucked and placed on my Christmas tree next to the dried fruit hung ... makes a great natural old time new fresh modern smelling Christmas tree at my house this year ... and maybe others
ReplyDeleteHomes too .!! Mmm I hope a senior citizen home gets a tree like this one for them to enjoy and smell and sing some carols around the trees ��..!!
I love that idea! What a lovely way to decorate for Christmas.
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