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How to Dehydrate Oranges to Make Dried Orange Slices

Dried orange slices make such beautiful, easy Christmas ornaments. Here’s how to dehydrate oranges and ideas for using them to add simple cheer to your holiday decor! You don’t even need ANY special equipment!

dried orange slices featured

How to Dehydrate Oranges to Make Dried Orange Slices

It’s so easy to dehydrate oranges. There are two primary ways to go about it and both are really easy. The first is to use your oven – with a low and slow drying process. 

The second is to use a food dehydrator with dehydrator trays. We like them dried in the oven, since it doesn’t require special equipment. However, whichever method you choose is up to you! 

What kind of oranges should I use?

You can use any type of citrus – navel oranges, grapefruit, clementines, blood oranges. They will all end up a little bit different, but the contrast is wonderful! Once you start dehydrating citrus, you’ll want to try all the different versions to see how they compare.

stacked dried orange slices (1)

How should I store dried orange slices?

Once your oranges are completely dry, you can store them anyway you like. You can layer them in mason jars, or turn them into lovely decorations. If you want to use them for beverage garnishes, make sure to store them in air-tight containers until use. 

thinly slice oranges


Tools Needed to Make Dried Orange Slices

  • Sharp Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • Kitchen Towels
  • Baking Sheets
  • Parchment Paper

Ingredients

Oranges or other types of citrus (as many as you want!)

place sliced oranges on parchment paper (1)

How to Dehydrate Oranges in the Oven

  1. Preheat oven to 200F.
  2. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  3. Thinly slice the oranges, try to get them about ¼ inch thick
  4. Blot the citrus slices with towels to dry a little.
  5. Place the slices in a single layer on top of the parchment paper.
  6. Put the orange slices in the oven. Drying time should be around 2 – 2 1/2 hours. 
  7. Check hourly to make sure the oranges are not burning. If they are starting to brown but not dried yet, reduce the oven temperature. Continue to dry until they are completely dry.

How to Dehydrate Oranges in a Food Dehydrator

  1. Place oranges in a single layer on the dehydrator trays.
  2. Turn the dehydrator on and let it run for 12 – 18 hours.
  3. Every 4 hours or so, switch the order of the trays around and double check that the oranges aren’t burning.
  4. When they are completely dry, turn off the dehydrator and allow them to cool completely.

Yield: quantity depends on number of orange you use

How to Dehydrate Oranges to Make Dried Orange Slices

dried orange slices featured

Lovely homemade dried orange slices to use in Christmas decorations or for drink garnish.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Active Time 10 minutes
Additional Time 18 hours 3 seconds
Total Time 18 hours 20 minutes 3 seconds

Materials

  • Oranges or other citrus

Tools

  • Sharp Knife or Mandoline Slicer
  • Cutting Board
  • Kitchen Towels
  • Baking Sheets
  • Parchment Paper
  • Food Dehydrator, if you choose

Instructions

Preheat oven to 200F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Thinly slice the oranges, try to get them about ¼ inch thick. Blot the citrus slices with paper towels to dry a little.

Place the slices in a single layer on top of the parchment paper. Put the orange slices in the oven. Drying time is around 2 -2 1/2 hours. 

Check hourly to make sure the oranges are not burning. If they are starting to brown but not dried yet, reduce the oven temperature. Continue to dry until they are completely dry.

Notes

You can also use a food dehydrator to make dried orange slices. The method is the same, but it takes a little bit longer, 12 - 18 hours depending on your dehydrator. The key with using a food dehydrator is to to rotate your trays ever four hours or so, to ensure uniform drying.

Did you make this project?

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What do I do with my dried fruit?

Dehydrated orange slices make stunning seasonal decor and Christmas decorations. Store them in mason jars, hang them on your Christmas tree, add them to wreaths, use them to make garland! The dried slices are so versatile and beautiful – the sky’s the limit when wondering what to do with dried orange slices.

Dried orange slices also make lovely garnishes for lots of different mixed drinks. They are especially fabulous if you coat the orange peel with sugar first! 

how to dehydrate oranges (1)

Here are a few of our favorite ways to use dried orange slices

What to do with Dried Orange Slices

Do you make dried orange slices? What’s your favorite way to use them?

If you liked this post on how to dry orange slices, you may like these posts too:

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