Quick Scoop

Orange peels are surprisingly useful, and the safest, easiest options are to cook with them, clean with them, dry them for scent, or compost them.

Good uses

  • Zest them for baking, marinades, dressings, or orange sugar.
  • Candy them for a sweet snack or dessert topping.
  • Infuse vinegar with peels for a homemade cleaning spray.
  • Deodorize the garbage disposal or kitchen with dried peels or a peel-and-vinegar mix.
  • Dry them for potpourri, simmer pots, or fire starters.
  • Compost them if you do not want to reuse them, since they are food waste.

Easy kitchen idea

A simple move is to grate the outer zest into yogurt, cakes, tea, or roasted vegetables for a bright citrus flavor without wasting the peel.

A few cautions

Do not use peels on surfaces or in food if they are heavily waxed or treated unless you wash them well first. Also avoid putting large amounts directly into compost or disposal all at once if they clog your setup.

TL;DR

Best all-around uses: zest, candy, dry, clean, or compost.