How to Dehydrate Oranges to Make Dried Orange Slices

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Are you dreaming of a cozy and fragrant holiday season filled with the warm and inviting aroma of oranges? Dried orange slices make such beautiful, easy Christmas ornaments. Whether you’re using an air fryer or a conventional oven, I’ll guide you through the process of how to dehydrate oranges.

Dehydrated oranges add simple cheer to any holiday decor. They can also be used as garnishes for holiday drinks and dishes. You won’t even need any special equipment.

dried orange slices with cinammon sticks and anise stars on a black background

How to Dehydrate Oranges to Make Dried Orange Slices

It’s so easy to dehydrate oranges. Use the tools you already have in your kitchen to make this nostalgic Christmas decor. You can dehydrate oranges in air fryers, dehydrators, or in your oven. Regardless of which appliance you use, there are a few items you will need:

  • cutting board
  • sharp knife
  • parchment paper
  • fresh oranges that have been washed and dried (leave the peel intact)

*** Once sliced, remove any seeds from the orange slices before you dry them.

thinly sliced oranges on a wooden cutting board with cinnamon sticks and anise in a glass bowl

What Kind of Oranges are Best for Dehydrating for Holiday Decor?

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 in colors is wonderful! Once you start dehydrating citrus, you’ll want to try all the different versions to see how they compare.

Always wash and dry the oranges. Choose oranges that are blemish free. Once sliced, remove any seeds from the oranges before dehydrating them.

oranges, lemons, and blood oranges thinly sliced on baking sheet to be dehydrated in oven

Dehydrate Oranges in Your Oven

Preheat your oven to its lowest possible temperature. Usually this is 170-200°F. If your oven runs hotter than that just turn it as low as possible. Keep a close eye on the oranges to prevent over-drying or burning.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the orange slices. Leave room between the slices so they don’t stick together.

Put the baking sheets of orange slices in the oven. Allow excess moisture to escape by propping the oven door slightly open.

Dehydrate the oranges in your oven for 2-6 hours. Turn the sheets occasionally to ensure even dehydration.

Tip: If the oranges are turning brown but not getting dry, turn down the heat.

stacked dried orange slices on a black background

Air Fryer Dehydrated Orange Slices

I love my air fryer! It’s perfect for making quick snacks and meals for my family. An air fryer is also perfect for dehydrating Christmas oranges.

Preheating your air fryer to the lowest temperature setting available. For most air fryers, this will be around 130°F. Refer to your specific air fryer’s manual for temperature options.

Place the orange slices in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Just like other methods, make sure the oranges have plenty of space around them.

It takes 2-4 hours to fully dehydrate oranges in an air fryer. They should be crispy and completely dry when finished.

An air fryer is generally faster than other methods, but you also can’t dehydrate as many slices at one time as you can in the oven or food dehydrator. I like to do the smaller citrus fruits like clementines in the air fryer for that reason.

orange slices in food dehydrator trays on wooden countertop

Use a Dehydrator to Dry Oranges

The final method for drying oranges is a food dehydrator with dehydrator trays. Lay your thinly sliced oranges on the dehydrator trays. Leave space around them for the air to circulate freely.

Dehydrate at a temperature of 125-134 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-8 hours. The dried oranges are ready when they are completely dry and crispy.

We like them dried in the oven since it doesn’t require special equipment. More than one tray fits in at a time, too. However, whichever method you choose is up to you!

dehydrated oranges and citrus fruit slices in mason jars with lids on white counter

How Should I Store Dried Orange Slices?

Once your oranges are fully dry and cool, store them in airtight containers. I like to layer mine in Mason jars because they look beautiful, and it keeps out extra moisture.

You can also store the dried fruit in the freezer in airtight containers or sacks.

Store dried oranges for up to 1 year in airtight containers. Check them periodically to make sure they stay in good condition.

Store any dehydrated oranges that will be used with food or drinks in airtight containers to prevent any spoilage or dust.

Yield: quantity depends on number of orange you use

How to Dehydrate Orange Slices in Your Oven

dried orange slices featured

Lovely homemade dried orange slices to use in Christmas decorations or for cocktail garnishes.

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 every four hours or so, to ensure uniform drying.

Did you make this project?

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What Do I Do With My Dried Orange Slices?

Dehydrated orange slices make stunning seasonal decor and can also be used as garnishes for food or in recipes.

Use Dry Orange Slices for Decoration

Once they are cool, dry, and crispy, the oranges are ready to use for decorations. Store them in mason jars, hang them on your Christmas tree, add them to wreaths, or use them to make garland!

I also love putting them at the base of candles. As the candle gets warm, the aroma of oranges fills the room.

Dehydrated citrus fruits are so versatile and beautiful. The sky is literally the limit when wondering what to do with dried orange slices.

dried orange slices next to candle and decorating small potpurri gift bags with rosemary and cinnamon

Are Dehydrated Oranges Edible?

Dried orange slices also add flavor and essence to foods and drinks. They are especially fabulous if you coate the orange peel with sugar first!

Use dehydrated citrus as lovely holiday cocktail garnishes. Crumble the oven dried slices into baked goods such as muffins or breads for a hint of citrus flavor. You can even use dried oranges as a healthy snack in trail mixes (just don’t eat the peel part).

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

What to do with Dried Orange Slices

Dehydrated oranges and citrus fruits are a sign of the holiday season. They also make lovely decorations and edible treats! Here's my favorite ways to use 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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About Michelle Marine

Michelle Marine is the author of How to Raise Chickens for Meat, a long-time green-living enthusiast, and rural Iowa mom of four. She empowers families to grow and eat seasonal, local foods; to reduce their ecological footprint; and to come together through impactful travel.

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1 Comment

  1. How do you know when they are done? I have some oranges in the oven at 200 for three hours but they don’t look dried out yet.