HOW TO DRY ORANGE SLICES
Making dried orange slices is much easier than you might think. I love making them for the holidays to decorate with them in my home and to use in various craft projects. Dried orange slices are also fun to use in your holiday drinks and recipes. Learn how to dry orange slices by checking out my instructions I have shared in this article.
WHAT CAN I USE DRIED ORANGE SLICES FOR?
There are so many creative and practical uses for dried orange slices. Some of my favorite ways to use these dried orange slices are in my Christmas decor. Use them in garlands to string with your fresh greenery or as Christmas tree ornaments. You can also use them in potpourris. Dried orange slices also make a great quick snack. There are also several ways to use orange slices in your crafting projects. Here is a list of my favorite uses for dried orange slices.
- dried orange garland
- ornaments
- christmas tree decorations
- attached to a wreath
- in a bowl of greenery
- potpourri
- attached to a gift as garnish with ribbon
- a tasty snack plain
- snack dipped in dark chocolate or milk chocolate
- table place settings
- drinks
- cake decorations
- to add to soups
- add to bread recipe
- use as a cocktail garnish
- to dip in chocolate
SUPPLIES NEEDED TO DRY ORANGE SLICES
- fresh oranges (like cara cara oranges, blood oranges, mandolin oranges, or navel oranges)
- cookie sheet or a baking sheet
- sharp knife (serrated knife)
- paper towels
- parchment paper
- wire racks for cooling
- confectioners sugar
- sugar spoon/strainer
- pastry brush (optional)
- mandoline slicer (optional)
- dehydrator (optional)
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO DRY ORANGE SLICES?
There are a few different ways to dry orange slices. The process is very similar but the amount of time they take to dry can vary with each process. If you want and need to use the oranges quickly the microwave and the oven method are going to be the fastest.
HOW TO DRY ORANGE SLICES IN THE OVEN
- To dehydrate oranges in the oven, cover an oven safe baking tray and line the pan with parchment paper.
- Slice your oranges very thinly (about 1/4 inch) and spread your orange slices out across your baking sheet. Be sure that none of them overlap so they can dry faster.
- Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar over the tray of sliced oranges.
- Set your oven to 170°F to start. Raise the temperature of the oven by 10 degrees for every hour you dry them. So start at 170°F and then turn the oven up to 180°F for the next hour and then up to 190°F. Baking them in an oven that is too hot will cause them to brown more.
- Bake the orange slices for 3 to 4 hours, depending on the thickness and how dry you want them.
HOW TO DRY ORANGE SLICES IN THE MICROWAVE
- On a microwaveable safe plate, lay out a couple sheets of a paper towel.
- Slice your oranges into very thin slices.
- Spread the orange slices out on top of the paper towels.
- Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar over the tray of sliced oranges.
- Put the plate in the microwave. Select the defrost setting and set the microwave for 3 minutes.
- Remove the plate from the microwave and turn the orange slices over.
- Place back in the microwave and use the defrost setting and microwave for another 3 minutes.
- Remove from microwave and they should be ready to use. If not microwave them again for a couple minutes until they are dry and ready to use.
DRYING ORANGE SLICES IN THE DEHYDRATOR
- Spread the orange slices out on your dehydrator trays.
- Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar over the tray of sliced oranges.
- Make sure to leave plenty of room between them for the air to circulate.
- Dehydrate the orange slices at a low temperature of 60°C / 135°F. This can take up to 6-7 hours, but you should check them often to see how quickly they are drying.
- You can help speed up the process by flipping the orange slices over occasionally.
CAN I AIR DRY FRESH ORANGE SLICES?
Yes. This is the simplest way to dry orange slices. Allowing the sliced oranges to dry naturally in the air is a really simple process that anyone can do and you won’t need any special equipment.
HOW TO AIR DRY ORANGE SLICES
The process will take several days and results can vary depending on the temperature and humidity of your home, so make sure you put them in a dry and warm place in your home. Turn the slices often so both sides will be able to fully dry. You might also want to blot the slices dry each time with a paper towel to soak up some of the excess moisture.
HOW LONG WILL DRIED ORANGE SLICES LAST?
If you dry and store your oranges properly, the slices should have a long shelf life and be good for at least two years, and often, they can last much longer if you store them away properly. To store, place them in a completely dry airtight container until the next holiday season. If they are exposed to moisture or humidity, they can mildew and spoil.
HOW TO KEEP DRIED ORANGE SLICES VIBRANT COLOR
The best tip I have found for keeping and getting a vibrant color in my dried orange slices is to sprinkle the orange slices before drying them with a generous amount of powdered sugar (also known as confectioners sugar). This has had the greatest result in keeping the oranges and bright orange color rather than turning brown.
TIPS FOR DRYING ORANGES
- Take your time.
- Closely watch the oranges or other citrus fruit you are drying. You will be rewarded with vibrant and not browned dried beauties!
- Slice the oranges thin. I found that 1/4-inch works best. I used several different knives, but a sharp, serrated knife works best.
- Make sure the slice oranges are only placed in a single layer on your baking trays.
- If you have a professional-grade mandoline, you can use it to get very even slices. Just be careful and use it safely.
TIPS FOR MORE VIBRANT COLOR
- Make sure to use the confectioner’s sugar to help the dried orange slices retain their vibrant color. I use about 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of sugar for one full tray or rack of oranges. Use a small strainer to sprinkle the sugar.
- The dried citrus I liberally sprinkled on both sides with confectioner sugar dried much brighter, have a glossier shine and finish and if you are going to be eating them, taste a little sweeter.
- Take your time with the drying process. If you use an oven to dry oranges, start with a very low oven temperature. Start out lower first and raise the temperature slowly. I started drying the oranges at 170° for one hour, then 180° for another hour, and then for 190° until you are satisfied with how they look. A hotter oven can cause the fruit to burn.
- Turn the oranges frequently. This is for three reasons. First, so you can see how they are drying. Second, turning them dries them more evenly. Reposition and turn the oranges and turn around the tray. And third, you can see when it is time to take the orange slices out of the oven so they don’t get too brown.
- I took my dehydrated slices out of the oven before they were completely dry and finished drying them the rest of the way at room temperature on my kitchen counter on a cooling rack.
BEST TIPS FOR MAKING DRIED ORANGES PRETTIER
- The dried slices might have some of the confectioner’s sugar stuck to them. I used a damp paper towel and rubbed any excess sugar off the peel. If any sugar crystals form on the flesh, brush it off with a pasty brush.
- Use different varieties. I used navel oranges, valencia, and care cara, whose flesh is similar to blood oranges.
HOW TO USE DRIED ORANGE SLICES IN POTPOURRI
I love making a beautiful potpourri that you can use to decorate a room. Its a fun way to add some scent and some color to your home. To make a potpourri with dried oranges, simply gather together some of the following items and display in a bowl, basket or a dough bowl and set on a table or a shelf.
SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR POTPOURRI
- dried orange slices
- pine cones
- dried lemons or limes
- cinnamon sticks
- dried pomegranates
- sticks or branches
- greenery like pine boughs
MORE DIY CHRISTMAS IDEAS
Here are some other fun ideas to create for your holiday and Christmas decor this year!
- How to hang wreath on cupboards
- Santa’s Key
- Peppermint Sugar Scrub
- Whipped Peppermint Sugar Scrub
- DIY Christmas Farmhouse wreath
- Cute Santa Gift Tags from the North Pole
- North Pole Produce
- Gifts of Christmas Gift
- Cinnamon Vanilla Sugar Scrub
- Christmas Crate
- Nativity Finger Puppets
- DIY Gingerbread House
- Cinnamon Salt Dough Ornaments in Snow Jars
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