Methods of packaging a light emitting diode (LED) include providing a first lead having a first recess in a bottom surface and a second lead having a second recess in a bottom surface, placing a LED die over a top surface of at least one of the first and the second leads, electrically connecting the LED die to the first lead and to the second lead, forming a package around the LED die that includes an opening in its upper surface exposing at least the LED die, and separating the package containing the LED die, the first lead and the second lead from a lead frame such that the package contains a first castellation and a second castellation in a side surface of the package, such that the castellations expose the leads and/or a first platable metal which is electrically connected to the leads.