How To Make Candied Watermelon

You can make candied watermelon by slow-drying chunks or rind in a sweet syrup until they turn chewy, glossy, and candy-like.
 
It’s a fun way to turn a summer staple into a shelf-stable treat you can snack on anytime.
 
And the best part is that making candied watermelon doesn’t require fancy equipment or a culinary degree.
 
If you’ve ever wondered how to make candied watermelon, you’re in the right place.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make candied watermelon step by step, from picking the fruit to storing the finished candy.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

How to Make Candied Watermelon: The Basics

Learning how to make candied watermelon starts with understanding what you’re actually doing.
 
You’re removing water from the fruit and replacing it with sugar, which preserves it and gives it that candy texture.
 
Here’s what makes the process work.
 

1. Watermelon Rind Works Best

The rind is the secret star when you make candied watermelon.
 
While you can candy the red flesh, the rind holds its shape far better during the long cooking process.
 
Plus, it soaks up the syrup without turning into mush.
 
That firm texture is exactly what makes candied watermelon rind such a beloved old-fashioned treat.
 

2. Sugar Syrup Does the Heavy Lifting

Sugar syrup is what transforms plain watermelon into candy.
 
As the rind simmers, the sugar slowly replaces the water inside the fruit’s cells.
 
When you make candied watermelon this way, the result is a dense, chewy bite that keeps for weeks.
 
The syrup also carries any flavorings you add, like vanilla, cinnamon, or citrus zest.
 

3. Drying Is the Final Step

Once the watermelon has absorbed all that sugary goodness, it needs to dry.
 
This step is what gives candied watermelon its signature texture.
 
You can air-dry the pieces on a rack or speed things up in a low oven.
 
Either way, the goal is to make candied watermelon pieces that are tacky on the outside and chewy on the inside.
 

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

Before you learn how to make candied watermelon, gather everything first.
 
Here’s your checklist.
 

1. Fresh Watermelon

You’ll want a ripe watermelon with thick rind for the best results.
 
One large watermelon gives you plenty of rind to work with after you scoop out the flesh.
 

2. Sugar and Water

A simple mix of granulated sugar and water becomes your syrup base.
 
Some recipes call for a bit of corn syrup to keep the candy from crystallizing.
 

3. Flavor Boosters

Lemons, limes, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla extract all work beautifully.
 
These are optional but they make your candied watermelon taste a lot more interesting.
 

4. Basic Kitchen Tools

A sharp knife, a heavy saucepan, a baking sheet, and a wire rack are all you need.
 
A candy thermometer helps but isn’t strictly necessary.
 

Step-by-Step: How to Make Candied Watermelon

Now, let’s actually make candied watermelon.
 
Follow these steps and you’ll have a batch ready in no time.
 

1. Prepare the Watermelon

Cut the watermelon into wedges and remove the red flesh for eating.
 
Trim off the green outer skin with a vegetable peeler or knife.
 
Then cut the pale rind into cubes or strips, whichever you prefer.
 

2. Blanch the Rind

Drop the rind pieces into boiling water for a few minutes, then drain.
 
This softens them slightly and removes any bitterness.
 
Repeat the process two or three times for a milder flavor.
 

3. Simmer in Syrup

Combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a gentle boil.
 
Add your rind pieces and simmer on low heat for about an hour.
 
The rind should turn translucent as it soaks up the syrup.
 

4. Dry the Pieces

Lift the candied watermelon pieces out and lay them on a wire rack.
 
Let them dry overnight, or bake them at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for a couple of hours.
 
Roll them in sugar once they’re no longer sticky.
 

5. Store Your Candy

Keep your finished candied watermelon in an airtight container.
 
It stays fresh for several weeks at room temperature.
 
If you want to make candied watermelon last even longer, refrigerate it.
 

So, How Do You Make Candied Watermelon?

You make candied watermelon by simmering rind or fruit in sugar syrup, then drying the pieces until they’re chewy and glossy.
 
It’s a simple process that turns a throwaway part of the fruit into a sweet, old-fashioned candy.
 
Whether you use the rind or the flesh, learning how to make candied watermelon gives you a treat that’s fun to snack on and even more fun to share.
 
Give it a try and enjoy every sugary bite.