How many carbs are in orange peel?
One tablespoon of raw orange peel (6g) has 1.5g of carbohydrate and about 0.9g of net carbs. That makes it a negligible carb addition in most recipes.
Carbs by portion
| Portion | Total carbs | Fiber | Net carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tbsp raw orange peel (6g) | 1.5g | 0.6g | 0.9g |
| 100 grams | 25.0g | 10.6g | 14.4g |
Net carbs
One tablespoon of raw orange peel has about 0.9g of net carbs, which is total carbs (1.5g) minus fiber (0.6g). Per 100g the peel carries 25g of carbs but also 10.6g of fiber, giving 14.4g of net carbs at that scale. Because actual serving sizes are measured in teaspoons and tablespoons, the net carb contribution to a recipe is small. See the net carbs guide for how fiber offsets total carbs.
For diabetes
A tablespoon of fresh orange zest adds 1.5g of carbs, which is too small to require a dose adjustment for most people. The high fiber content of orange peel (10.6g per 100g) slows any glucose impact further. Candied orange peel is a different story because added sugar takes total carbs well above the raw peel numbers. Always check the label on any commercial candied or dried product. See the diabetes carb-counting guide for how to handle small ingredient additions.
Keto and low carb
Raw orange peel used as zest is keto-compatible. One tablespoon contributes under 1g of net carbs, leaving ample room in a 20 to 30g daily budget. Candied or sugar-coated orange peel is not, and dried peel without added sugar still concentrates the carbs, so check the gram weight on any dried product.
Good to know
The white pith under the outer zest layer holds most of the peel's fiber, which is why orange peel has a far higher fiber percentage than orange flesh. Most recipes call for only the colored outer layer, the zest, which removes even less mass than the full peel. One medium orange yields roughly 1 to 2 tablespoons of zest. The numbers here are for the full raw peel; microplaned zest, which excludes the pith, has a similar carb profile per gram but is used in smaller quantities.
Full nutrition (per 100g)
- Calories: 97.0 kcal
- Carbohydrate: 25.0g
- Fiber: 10.6g
- Sugars: n/ag
- Protein: 1.5g
- Fat: 0.2g
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Get the appFrequently asked questions
How many carbs are in orange peel?
Raw orange peel has 25g of carbs per 100g. One tablespoon (6g) has about 1.5g of carbs and 0.9g of net carbs.
How many net carbs are in orange zest?
One tablespoon of raw orange zest or peel has about 0.9g of net carbs, calculated as 1.5g total carbs minus 0.6g of fiber.
Is orange peel high in fiber?
Yes. Raw orange peel has 10.6g of fiber per 100g, which is significantly higher than orange flesh. That fiber is mostly in the white pith layer.
Can I use orange zest on keto?
Yes. A tablespoon of zest adds less than 1g of net carbs and is keto-friendly. Avoid candied or sugar-coated orange peel, which adds a lot of extra sugar.
How many carbs are in candied orange peel?
Candied orange peel is heavily coated in sugar and can have 60g or more of carbs per 100g. The raw peel numbers here (25g per 100g) do not apply to the candied version.