by Chris Mosler
Today I am sharing a simple method to dry oranges for the holiday season. Family gathered in, fires crackling, festive aromas, music, food, warm lights twinkling are the things that Christmas memories are made off and it all begins with my sense of smell – there is nothing to start my season off better than the scent of oranges permeating my home!
How to Dry Oranges for Christmas
Let me show you how to dry oranges for Christmas! Drying oranges is guaranteed to put me in a festive mood, it is so easy to do and the house smells fabulous while I’m at it!
I keep my eyes open for bargain bags of oranges (usually at the end of the day at the market), snap them up, slice them into 1-2cm slices, pat them dry and pop them into a low oven (120°C) for about three hours.
It’s important to turn them every half hour or so and to put them on a metal cooling rack over a baking tray so the air can circulate around them easily and they don’t burn or stick but that’s it!
I hang some in the kitchen where the warm air from the oven ensures I am surrounded by their delicious citrus smell as I’m baking for Christmas.
They are easy to thread onto pretty ribbons and I also pile them into a basket with pine cones, cinnamon sticks and walnuts which I put in front of the wood burner to fill the sitting room with the scent of Christmas.
Drying Whole Oranges
I don’t have a mantle piece over my fire but if I did I would love to have a go at making a swag out of whole dried oranges, dried orange and apple slices and dried chillies like these beauties I saw at the Bath Christmas Market last year!
Whole oranges take longer because of all that juice, you need to cut slits in the skin and put them in a very low oven for 12 – 24 hours.
It’s worth making a batch or two of meringues, drying some chilli, peppers and tomatoes at the same time with all that lovely heat!
Hanging your dried oranges in front of a light really allows them to shine – I just made a little hole through the top of each orange and threaded them with string. Christmas has begun!
I know this isn’t, strictly speaking, a recipe but I’m popping it into a printable just for you!
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How to Dry Oranges for Christmas Decorations
Simple instruction to dry orange slices for Christmas decorations and suggestions for drying whole oranges.
Author: Chris Mosler - Thinly Spread
Equipment
Unbruised Oranges
A tea towel
A metal cooling rack
A baking tray
Instructions
Slice oranges into 1-2cm thick slices
Pat dry with a clean tea towel
Place them on a metal cooling rack over a baking tray so that air can circulate around them easily and they don’t burn or stick.
Pop them into a low oven (120°C) for about three hours.
Turn them over every half hour or so. It is really important to keep checking them, the thinner they are the quicker they will dry - you don't want burnt oranges!
Your oranges are ready when they are dry to the touch - they will still be a little bit sticky. The longer you dry them for the longer they will last
If you’re looking for more ideas for your Christmas home you might like these
Stunning Ice Lanterns with Foraged Leaves and Berries
Giant Paper Pom Poms
Simple Tin Can Lanterns
Chiswick mum on November 12, 2015 at 8:07 am
Great – will def try this. We usually do the pomander style one where you stick all the cloves in
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Chris Mosler on November 12, 2015 at 4:19 pm
We do those too and I love it! It’s a real family in front of the fire craft!
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Mari on November 20, 2015 at 10:18 pm
Found it! I shall have a go as I know my girls will really enjoy this, thank you x
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Rachel on November 21, 2016 at 7:38 am
I’ve tried to do this several times before with out success. These turned out fantastic, thanks for the tips!!
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Wendy on December 9, 2016 at 9:20 am
Hi. I’m finding that my orange segments are curling up and not as flat and “uncooked” looking as yours! Any tips?? I’m now trying on a cooler oven, although mine’s a fan oven. Think this makes a difference? Thanks:)
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Chris Mosler on December 9, 2016 at 12:35 pm
I would definitely try a cooler oven, my oven isn’t fan – long, slow cooking with regular checks is definitely the way to go. Good luck!
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Jessica on February 15, 2017 at 7:13 pm
Do these last year after year or do they need thrown away at the end of the season
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Chris Mosler on February 15, 2017 at 10:07 pm
I have kept them from year to year if they are dried well stored in paper bags somewhere cool and dry, but it’s much better to make new ones every year because the smell is amazing – Christmas pervades the house!
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Kristie Wirth on January 1, 2020 at 12:57 am
Can we reuse these year after year?
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Chris Mosler on January 8, 2020 at 12:18 pm
It depends how well dried they are and how you keep them. Store them in paper in a dry room and they should be fine as long as they don’t get damp. I have reused mine for a couple of years but, to be honest, it’s the smell of them drying which I love almost more than having them as a finished product! X
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Christine Dye on October 10, 2017 at 6:25 pm
I see in your picture you have dried whole oranges with slits in them. how do I do this ? Thank you Christine Dye
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Chris Mosler on October 16, 2017 at 2:00 pm
Whole oranges take longer because of all that juice, you need to cut slits in the skin and put them in a very low oven for 12 – 24 hours. It’s worth making a batch or two of meringues, drying some chilli, peppers and tomatoes at the same time with all that lovely heat! Of course, if you have a dehydrator, you can just leave it ticking over happily!
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Tina on October 21, 2017 at 5:51 pm
Tried this but they loose their colour..more brown than orange ?
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Chris Mosler on November 9, 2017 at 6:25 pm
They need watching closely towards the end, I would suggest taking them out a bit sooner to maintain their oranginess if that’s what you’re after. I have a mixture of browner ones and paler ones depending on timing.
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melissa on October 27, 2018 at 3:26 pm
I tried this but my oranges turned brown. Why?
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Chris Mosler on November 2, 2018 at 9:51 am
I suspect your oven needs turning down just a little – ovens vary in the amount of heat they generate. It’s also important to keep a close eye on the oranges and to check them regularly. Good luck, I hope they turn out well next time you try!
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Debs on November 25, 2018 at 10:51 pm
Could i use could I use a warming drawer (Neff) on full heat? Would this be warm enough?
Chris Mosler on December 3, 2018 at 11:37 am
Hi Debs, I’m afraid I have no experience of using a warming drawer! What you are looking for here is a long, gentle drying process so I suspect your drawer would work and, if it was me, I’d certainly give it a go. Keep a close eye on what is happening in there and adapt the heat as you go!
linda kidder on October 29, 2017 at 5:28 pm
how do you dry the whole oranges?
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Chris Mosler on November 9, 2017 at 6:24 pm
Whole oranges take longer because of all that juice, you need to cut slits in the skin and put them in a very low oven for 12 – 24 hours. It’s worth making a batch or two of meringues, drying some chilli, peppers and tomatoes at the same time with all that lovely heat! Of course, if you have a dehydrator, you can just leave it ticking over happily!
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Sophie on November 30, 2017 at 9:16 am
I dried oranges and apples for my tree last year and it was amazing! I want to go further this year so I think I’m going to try whole oranges, do they shrink much? I’m wondering if I could use clementines or if they would shrink to nothingness?
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Chris Mosler on November 30, 2017 at 10:37 am
Hi Sophie, I’ve never tried it with clementines (but now I want to – and lemons!), they do shrink – probably about 20-25% – but I reckon it would work and they’d look gorgeous on a wreath! Do let me know if you get around to trying it before I do!
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M clayton on December 10, 2017 at 11:22 pm
Could limes be dried the same
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Chris Mosler on December 11, 2017 at 8:38 am
Yes, absolutely. You will need to reduce the time in the oven and keep a close eye on them as they are smaller. 🙂
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Gerri Miezio on December 13, 2017 at 2:56 pm
Question for you On Monday, I attempted to dry oranges. My oven wouldn’t go any lower than 170; I placed my oranges on a rack on a cookie sheet on the 3rd level for approx. 6hrs. I have left them on the rack to air dry. This morning I touched them and they still have a little tacky feeling although the peel is as hard as a rock. Is this normal? Can I put them back in the oven to dry more or should I just consider this as an experiment, trash them and start over? Appreciate any advice you all can give me.
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Chris Mosler on December 14, 2017 at 9:16 am
You can certainly dry them for longer but if you only want them to last for this holiday season it sounds like they’re done to me (difficult to be absolutely sure without seeing them and touching them myself). If you squeeze one and there is no juice, just that tacky feeling, you should be good to go.
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Rita on November 21, 2018 at 7:34 pm
How long and at what temp would you use if using a dehydrator?
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Chris Mosler on December 3, 2018 at 11:58 am
I would consult your dehydrator’s instruction manual as they are all different but, if I were doing it with mine, I would set it to 57 – 63C (135F) and the length of time would very much depend on the thickness of your slices and their juiciness. Unfortunately this isn’t a precise science so I can’t give you any definite timings! I would check them every two hours or so until you are happy. I hope that helps!
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Pauline on December 12, 2018 at 8:58 am
I have dried whole oranges with cloves pushed through and a ribbon pinned on round and across. Placed in a brown paper bag in the airing cupboard for a few weeks. …perfect and easy. Once the ribbon is removed you have a groove to wrap your new ribbon round to hang by.
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Chris Mosler on December 14, 2018 at 8:54 am
I have too, they look so pretty don’t they? And they make the house smell amazing!
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JAYNE knight on November 26, 2019 at 5:54 am
I have an aga which has a slow oven. Would this still be ok?
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Chris Mosler on November 26, 2019 at 9:28 am
Hi Jayne, I haven’t tried them in an AGA but, if the temperature is low enough and you keep an eye on them I think they’ll be fine. I would check them every 30 minutes or so. I think the slow oven is also called the simmering oven – if that’s correct the simmering oven is 100C and would be absolutely fine for oranges.
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Janice Lloyd on June 6, 2021 at 8:20 am
Yes. The simmering oven on an Aga is fantastic for drying any foods. Also great for meringues and such like.
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Chris Mosler on June 15, 2021 at 10:53 am
Thanks so much Janice – I long to own an AGA!
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Sue Humphreys on November 26, 2019 at 12:44 pm
I have followed your instructions to the letter and had moderate success. Some of the slices dried beautifully but on some the peel has dried but the flesh is still soft (although dry to the touch). I am a little worried that these softer ones may go mouldy when hung on a tree or in a garland. What do you think?
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Chris Mosler on November 28, 2019 at 9:05 am
Hi Sue – if they are tacky (rather than juicy) I think they are probably fine. If you are worried about them though I would put them back into a very low oven for a little longer just to be sure. Some ovens cook quicker in certain areas than they do in others – mine, for example, cooks much quicker at the back than it does at the front (even though it is a fan oven, probably because it is now ancient!) so it may be a good idea to turn the trays during cooking to ensure they are all evenly cooked. It is also important to make sure the slices are all about the same thickness. I hope this helps! Chris x
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Sue Humphreys on November 28, 2019 at 2:50 pm
I have stored the slices in an airtight container with a few grains of rice to take any further moisture away. They feel dry to the touch just a little soft so I’m hoping they will be ok. Thank you for your advice.
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Chris Mosler on November 28, 2019 at 4:20 pm
That is an excellent idea! Clever you! I hope they turn out well for you!
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Fiona Wilson on December 3, 2019 at 12:39 am
I have tried just the peel but I’d like to know what would happen if the peel gets damp/wet now it’s dried…….will it go soft again? ?
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Chris Mosler on December 3, 2019 at 9:49 am
Hi Fiona, they do need to be kept dry – they’ll re-hydrate if exposed to water for any length of time. Hope that helps!
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Shawn Weedman on December 4, 2019 at 11:09 pm
What would be the best oranges to use for this?
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Chris Mosler on December 9, 2019 at 9:27 am
Hi Shawn, any fresh, firm oranges will do. Flavour doesn’t matter here but freshness does. Avoid any that are going squishy!
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Lola on November 17, 2020 at 4:59 pm
I’m curious how long they will last on the tree? Like over a week?
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Chris Mosler on November 18, 2020 at 9:22 am
Absolutely. As long as they are well dried and are in a dry environment they last really well.
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Amanda on January 4, 2021 at 10:04 am
Although it’s now after Ch’mas I’m looking to do whole oranges next time around (slices worked fab!). . Do you think sitting them on a radiator for several days would have a similar drying out effect?
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Chris Mosler on January 5, 2021 at 9:07 am
Hi Amanda! Good question, I’ve never tried drying them on the radiator but I can’t see why it wouldn’t work as long as the radiator wasn’t on too hot and you remember to turn them often – definitely worth a go but I think I’d try it with one orange first and see how it goes!
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Fluffy on December 7, 2021 at 10:53 pm
Thank you for sharing! I’d been looking for clear instructions for some time; these give the exact times and temperature for oven drying whole oranges. My house will have a wonderful orange aroma this Christmas!Reply
Suzanne Tibbels on November 10, 2022 at 2:56 am
I have an ornamental orange tree which produced many tiny oranges about 2″ in diameter. I was thinking about drying them and making a garland. Do you think this might work or will they shrink too much? Or might you have any other ideas on how to use them. They are pretty but taste terrible.
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Chris Mosler on November 10, 2022 at 2:16 pm
Hi Suzanne, good question! I haven’t tried with oranges this small but they will shrink and might get a bit lost in a garland. I do think it’s worth a try though! If they work they’d look great with evergreen fir, seedheads and berries. If you have a go do let me know!
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