These candied grapes are coated in sugar and lemon juice for a sweet and sour treat both you and the kids will love! A quick, easy, and healthy-ish snack you can store in the freezer at all times.
This sugared grapes recipe is a sweet and sour snack with only 3 ingredients. Green grapes are coated in lemon juice, then tossed in granulated sugar. After a quick trip in the freezer, the tart, sugary fruit is ready to enjoy!
These went viral on TikTok but we’ve given them a healthier AND easier makeover.
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Why this recipe works
Candied grapes are similar to my tanghulu recipe. Every bite is sweet, sour, and tart and will remind you of healthy candy. And while you can coat the grapes in simple syrup, I chose to use granulated sugar (or sugar-free allulose) as a simple alternative.
- Quick and easy kid-friendly snack. Coating grapes in sugar is as easy as homemade snacks can get! All you need to do is toss them in lemon juice and sugar, then freeze until solid. Pass a few grapes to the kids for a sweet treat or enjoy whenever a craving hits.
- Only 3 ingredients. All you need are green grapes, granulated sugar, and lemon juice to make this easy recipe.
- Fun to play with! Have fun with this recipe by swapping the grapes for another fruit you love or add extra flavor with Jello packets. Head to the Flavor Variations section for even more ideas.
I recommend always keeping a batch of candied grapes in your freezer! Just like my low calorie candy and keto candy, they’re a healthy-ish alternative to store-bought candy that will still make your sweet tooth happy.
This recipe calls for 3 everyday ingredients, which you may already have in your kitchen! This is all you need:
- Green grapes. These are my favorite grapes, but you can use red grapes if that’s what you already have on hand. Remember: buy seedless grapes!
- Sugar. Extra fine granulated sugar is best here. You can also use a granulated sugar substitute, like allulose.
- Lemon juice. To help the sugar stick to the grapes. The acidity and tartness in lemon juice also help balance the sweetness of the sugared grapes.
How to make candy grapes
Here’s how to make sugary sweet candied grapes in just 3 steps:
Step 1 – Coat the grapes
Once the grapes are cleaned and dried completely, add them to a bowl along with the lemon juice. Toss to coat.
Step 2 – Add the sugar
Pour the sugar onto a plate. Roll each grape in the sugar until coated on all sides. Transfer to a parchment-lined plate.
Step 3 – Freeze
Put the plate in the freezer for at least 1 hour or until the sugar-coated grapes are frozen solid.
- According to America’s Test Kitchen, the best way to clean grapes and remove the natural waxy coating is to wash them with a 3:1 mix of water and white vinegar. Rinse with water, then pat to dry.
- Candied green grapes make for a wonderful and healthy-ish after-school snack. They also fit in at parties, whether served on a meat and cheese board or as part of the dessert platter.
- Store the sugared grapes in the freezer. Not only is the firm texture more satisfying, but it prevents the sugar and lemon juice from slipping.
Flavor variations
There are a handful of ways to put your creative spin on this simple snack, such as:
- Sugar free – Coat the grapes in a refined sugar alternative instead of white sugar, like allulose, erythritol, or monk fruit sweetener.
- Jello powder – Rolling the grapes in Jello powder instead of sugar is a creative way to give this snack even more flavor. Use your favorite flavor, like lemon, strawberry, orange, lime, etc.
- Crushed candy – Crush your favorite hard candy and use them as the coating instead of sugar.
- Lime juice – Feel free to swap the lemon juice for lime juice.
- Simple syrup – Candied grapes can also be coated in simple syrup or corn syrup first, then the granulated sugar. After sitting for a few minutes, the grapes will have a hard exterior (just like candy apples) and an extra sweet flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
The grapes should stay fresh for up to 1 month when stored in the freezer.
This might happen if the grapes are too dry. Remember to intermittently toss the grapes in the lemon juice to ensure that they’re well coated before they’re placed in the sugar.
Any small, bite-sized fruit with a thin skin can be sugared. Instead of grapes, make this recipe with raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, or kiwi slices.
Keep candy grapes in an airtight container in the fridge for several days.
While candy grapes contain added sugar, they’re still healthier than traditional candy. Grapes are naturally low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals.
More simple snacks to try
Candy Grapes (3 Ingredients)
Ingredients
- 3 cups grapes seedless
- 1/2 cup sugar * See notes
- 1 whole lemon juiced
Instructions
- Clean the grapes and pat them dry completely.
- Add them to a mixing bowl then drizzle the lemon juice over them, ensuring each grape is coated. Add the sugar or sugar substitute on a plate and roll each grape in them on all sides, ensuring that the sugar is sticking to them.
- Place the sugar coated grapes on a plate lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer for at least an hour to firm up.
Notes
Nutrition
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