Easy Ginger Candy Recipe (Crystalized Ginger)

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Easy Ginger Candy Recipe – Homemade Ginger Candy is wonderfully spicy and sweet – and has many health benefits! Try this Crystallized Ginger recipe for a fun treat that’s perfect for gifting during the holidays.

Easy Ginger Candy Recipe (Crystalized Ginger) | A Spicy Perspective (1)

Easy Homemade Ginger Candy

There is nothing better, in my humble opinion, than giving gifts of food for the holidays.

Nothing.

Think about it… Yummy edible gifts check all of the boxes for what makes a perfect present. They are best when made from scratch, food gifts are budget-friendly yet super thoughtful, they create an experience and fond memories. Plus, there’s no household clutter.

See? Perfect!

This recipe for Easy Ginger Candy is a fun and memorable gift that your family and friends will certainly love. It is a tasty and extremely healthy treat. Even when cooked and covered in sugar, crystallized ginger still has many health benefits – including easing nausea and helping to reduce inflammation.

Homemade ginger candy, also commonly known as crystallized ginger, is surprisingly easy to make, and tastes so much better than store-bought candies. Make a batch for your loved ones to give as delicious Christmas gifts, but be sure to save some to keep for yourself!

Easy Ginger Candy Recipe (Crystalized Ginger) | A Spicy Perspective (2)

What Ingredients You Need

Here are the handful of simple ingredients needed to make fresh and zesty crystalized ginger from scratch:

Fresh ginger root
Water
Granulated sugar
Salt

I also recommend adding either vanilla extract or orange extract to this recipe. Either is a lovely addition of flavor that really balances the spicy bite of the ginger root.

Easy Ginger Candy Recipe (Crystalized Ginger) | A Spicy Perspective (3)

Easy Ginger Candy Recipe (Crystalized Ginger) | A Spicy Perspective (4)

How to Make Crystalized Ginger Candy

This easy Ginger Candy recipe requires only a few simple steps to make from scratch, and creates the most flavorful and wonderfully bold treat.

First, prepare the raw ginger root by peeling it completely and slicing it into thin rounds. The pieces should look like small potato chips.
Place the ginger slices in a large 6 quart saucepot. Add the exact amount of water called for in the full recipe, and bring to a simmer. Cover and let the ginger simmer for about 30 minutes, until just softened but not mushy.
Remove the lid and check the liquid levels. There should be approximately 1/4 – 1/3 cup of water in the bottom of the pot. If needed, scoop out some water with a ladle, or add water, to make sure you have about ¼ cup.
Next, stir in the sugar and salt. Bring the sugar syrup to a simmer. Simmer, stirring regularly, for 15- 20 minutes, until the syrup starts to crystalize and become sticky. The color will range from pale cream to golden.
Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the vanilla or orange extract, if you are using it.
Then set out a baking rack, and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Use tongs to move the ginger pieces to the rack, and spread them out evenly in a single layer.
Allow the ginger to rest on the rack for 2-4 hours, or until all the pieces are completely dry.

Place in an airtight container. The ginger candy will last for at least 1 month if kept in a cool, dry place. There’s no need to refrigerate!

Get the Complete (Printable) Easy Ginger Candy Recipe + VIDEO Below. Enjoy!

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Different Ways to Enjoy Homemade Crystalized Ginger

Eat pieces of crystallized ginger as a spicy and sweet treat.

They are also great to chop into small pieces and use as a fun topping for Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream, mix into Homemade Granola, or use them to make a batch of Double Chocolate Cookies with Ginger and Cherries.

And little boxes filled with ginger candy made from scratch are wonderful to give as holiday gifts!

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Do These Candies Last?

Place in an airtight container. These ginger candies will last for at least 1 month if kept in a cool, dry place. There’s no need to refrigerate!

What Does Spoiled Ginger Look Like?

You can tell by the color of the ginger root if it has gone bad. When you cut into the root, if the color is dull brown, has black rings, or looks gray, it is time to dispose of it and use a different piece.

Use only fresh ginger root to make this recipe.

What Is Ginger Candy Good For?

Fresh ginger is an immune booster, so ginger candy is actually kind of good for you! Ginger is notorious for helping with stomach pain and nausea, and is a germ killer! This ginger nausea candy can not only help settle a nauseous stomach, but it can also subdue arthritis pain, and even heal sore muscles! So don’t feel like this candy isn’t good for you, it totally is!

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Easy Ginger Candy Recipe + VIDEO

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

1 ¼ pound fresh ginger root
6 cups water
2 cups granulated sugar
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional

Instructions

Peel the ginger root and slice into 1/8 inch rounds.
Place the ginger slices in a large 6 quart sauce pot. Add the water. Bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes to soften the ginger.
Remove the lid and check the liquid levels. There should be approximately 1/4 – 1/3 cup of water in the bottom of the pot. If needed, scoop out some water with a ladle, or add water, to make sure you have about ¼ cup in the pot.
Stir in the sugar and salt. Bring the sugar syrup to a simmer. Simmer, stirring regularly, for 15-20 minutes, until the syrup starts to crystalize. The color will range from pale cream to golden. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Set out a baking rack. Spray with nonstick cooking spray. Use tongs to move the ginger pieces to the rack, spreading out in a single layer.
Allow the ginger to rest for 2-4 hours, until all the pieces are dry.
Place in an airtight container. The ginger candy will last for at least 1 month if kept in a cool dry place.

Video

Notes

Vanilla extract adds a nice balancing note to the candy. You can also add orange extract.

Nutrition

Serving: 1oz, Calories: 84kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 55mg, Potassium: 98mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 17g, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 6mg, Iron: 1mg

Course: Candy, Dessert

Cuisine: American, Japanese

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

This site contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission.

Easy Ginger Candy Recipe (Crystalized Ginger) | A Spicy Perspective (2024)

FAQs

Is candied ginger and crystallized ginger the same thing? ›

In summary, the main differences between crystallized and candied ginger lie in their cooking methods, flavor profiles, and textures. Crystallized ginger tends to have a spicier ginger flavor and a chewy texture, while candied ginger is softer, sweeter, and less intense in its ginger flavor.

Learn More Now ›

How much fresh ginger for crystallized ginger? ›

Other authorities suggest a 1-inch piece of fresh ginger is the equivalent to 1 1/4 teaspoons of ground or 1 tablespoon crystallized ginger.

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Does crystalized ginger go bad? ›

Properly stored, crystallized ginger will generally stay at best quality for about 2 to 3 years. To maximize the shelf life of crystallized ginger purchased in bulk, and to better retain flavor and potency, store in containers with tight-fitting lids.

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How do you use crystallized ginger? ›

Include it as part of a boxed mix for fruit loaves, cakes, or pastries. Use it as a topping for savory rice dishes and dessert dishes alike. Include it as a garnish in a drinks mix for co*cktails such as Moscow Mules. Heat it in fruit juice and reduce the mixture to a syrup to make a delicious drinks mixer.

Can I substitute crystallized ginger for fresh ginger? ›

Crystallized ginger is a great ginger substitute in baked goods or sweets and will add texture to the finished dish. You'll need to add more than fresh or dried to achieve the same flavor. We recommended 1/3-1/2 cup for every tablespoon.

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Is it OK to eat candied ginger? ›

Candied ginger retains its medicinal and nutritional value, although it should be consumed in moderation given the amount of sugar. One piece of candied ginger can have 3 to 5 grams of sugar and about 20 calories.

How often can you eat crystallized ginger? ›

Crystallized ginger can be incorporated into your diet in many ways. The simplest way to begin enjoying the health benefits of candied ginger is to eat a few slices each day. The slightly sweet, tangy and peppery flavor of crystallized ginger makes it a tasty, healthy snack.

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Does crystallized ginger need to be refrigerated? ›

Once opened, refrigerate and consume within three months. Once opened, if stored in an airtight container, crystallized ginger will last for two years.

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Does crystallized ginger dissolve in hot water? ›

A great tip from one of our customers is to simply soak the ginger in warm water for a few minutes. This gently dissolves the sugar crystals that coat the outside. For more information on our ingredients policy please see here. Organic • Vegetarian, Vegan.

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What is the white powder on ginger candy? ›

The white powder on the ginger chews is powdered cane sugar.

What is the difference between crystalized and crystallized ginger? ›

The terms “candied” and “crystallized” are typically used interchangeably. If a distinction is made, the term candied refers to ginger stored in the simple syrup and crystallized ginger means the version cooked in the sweet syrup and rolled in sugar.

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How much crystallized ginger should you eat a day? ›

Ginger is safe to eat daily, but experts recommend limiting yourself to 3 to 4 grams a day — stick to 1 gram daily if you're pregnant. Taking more than 6 grams of ginger a day has been proven to cause gastrointestinal issues such as reflux, heartburn and diarrhea.

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Is crystallized ginger good for arthritis? ›

Not only that, but it's also a centuries-old remedy used to treat inflammation, nausea, and even certain cancers. Eastern medical practice used to use ginger for many health conditions. They are beneficial for conditions including migraines and arthritis and sore throats.

Easy Ginger Candy Recipe (Crystalized Ginger) | A Spicy Perspective (2024)