Oven Dried Orange Slices

Oven dried orange slices are beautiful, easy to make, and are a great addition to fall and holiday home décor.

It’s become an annual fall tradition for me to make oven dried orange slices in preparation for the holidays. I love the look & smell of dried orange slices. They look beautiful in a Christmas garland or hanging on the Christmas tree as an ornament. They are also a great addition to stovetop potpourri for a delicious citrus scent.

The options of what you can do with oven dried orange slices are really endless!

You may be thinking it’s a little early to be planning Christmas décor when fall hasn’t even officially begun?! You may be right (you guys know I started decorating for fall August 1st, right?). However, properly dried oranges can last for years, so getting a head start on these now, helps me later when the craziness of the holidays begins.

And…I have a couple of new ideas on how to incorporate beautiful oven dried orange slices into fall décor. You can see those ideas, here!

How do you dry oranges in the oven?

The great thing about drying or dehydrating oranges is that you do not need to invest in a dehydrator.

Oranges can be dried in the oven by thinly & evenly slicing the oranges, placing slices on a parchment lined baking sheet, and drying in a 200 degree oven for about 4 hours.

Steps to Drying Orange Slices in the Oven

1. Heat Oven to 200 Degrees

The most important step is to heat your oven to the proper temperature.

If your oven can go to a lower temperature, you can dry oranges at 170 degrees. You will achieve the same dried citrus results, however drying time will take a little longer.

Convection ovens (or convection toaster ovens) are great for drying fruit. The convection oven fan helps to evenly circulate the steam, which is perfect for drying citrus. The moisture is evenly removed making the drying process move along faster.

2. Line Baking Sheet With Parchment Paper

Place orange slices on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. This will help prevent the orange slices from sticking to the baking sheet.

3. Thinly & Evenly Slice Oranges

Thinly and evenly sliced oranges are the key to perfectly dried fruit. A mandolin is a great kitchen tool to achieving thin, even slices. A knife will also work, however you will want to make sure that the oranges are sliced evenly.

I sliced a combination of navel and mandarin oranges.

4. Oven Dry Orange Slices

Once the thinly, evenly sliced orange slices are placed on a parchment lined baking sheet (about 1/2″ apart between slices), add the baking sheet to the oven.

Bake the orange slices for approximately 4 hours (exact drying time will depend on oven, size of fruit, and thickness of slices). I flip the orange slices and rotate the baking sheet in the oven once every hour. This helps the fruit to dry evenly.

Remove the orange slices from the oven once they are completely dried and all moisture has been removed.

How can you tell when dried orange slices are done?

Orange slices are done drying when the pulp of the orange appears glassy, similar to a stained glass window. If the orange slices are still tacky, it may need a little more time in the oven. Remember, the larger the slice, the longer it will take to dry in the oven.

How to Store Dried Orange Slices

Properly dried orange slices (all moisture removed from slices) can last for years.

Dried orange slices can be stored in a baggie or air-tight container in a dark, cool, humidity free location in your home. This allows the orange slices to last longer, and the slices will keep their beautiful, vibrant color.

What kinds of citrus can be dried in the oven?

Any citrus can be dried in the oven. Drying times will vary based on the size & moisture content of the fruit.

Lemons
Limes
Grapefruit
Cara Cara Oranges
Navel Oranges
Mandarin Oranges
Blood Oranges

What to do With Dried Orange Slices

There are so many ways to utilize dried orange slices. They can be used as a garnish on food or drinks, eaten as a snack, or placed in a bowl for décor. Here are a few of my favorites…

1. Christmas Garland

Citrus & pine are a beautiful combination for the holidays. I loved the coziness this garland added to our kitchen window last Christmas.

2. Stovetop Potpourri

Last year I created homemade Christmas gifts for friends & family by combining dried fruit, evergreens, and seasonal spices in a mason jar for dried stovetop potpourri. This gift was a great way to share the coziness of our home with others!

3. Gift Tags

Dried orange slices are a beautiful, organic, and unexpected touch as a gift tag when added to Christmas gifts.

Check out this blog post for a new take on orange slices & candles!

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