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It was only a matter of time before my love of drying all things turned to citrus fruit! In this easy tutorial, I’ll show you how to make dried orange slices for crafting, decor, and even recipes. I’m especially loving the orange slice trend for home decor from fall through Christmas!
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How to Dry Orange Slices
Luckily, you have many options when it comes to making dried orange slices. You can use the air-dry method, oven-drying method, or dehydrator method. Each has its pros and cons.
For a completely different spin on drying whole oranges, you can also see my tutorial on how to dry orange pomander balls.
Air Drying
The air-dry method requires the fewest tools. Simply run a piece of jute cord or baking twine through the tops of your orange slices, and hang them in a cool, dry place.
Much like drying flowers, you’ll need up to a week (or more) for the orange slices to dry completely. Beyond the time required, you may find that your slices may become more warped with this method.
Oven-Drying
Oven-drying is my preferred method for drying citrus. That’s the focus of this tutorial. This method does require a day at home to babysit your orange slices, but the quality is fairly consistent.
It’s also less expensive than investing in a food dehydrator.
Dehydrating
If you have the dough to spend on a dehydrator, you’ll want to go this route when drying oranges. Many models like this one have a temperature adjustment feature that helps preserve nutrients in the fruit.
Decorating Ideas for Dried Orange Slices
Watch this YouTube video to learn about 5 ways you can decorate with dried orange slices.
Tips for Getting the Best Dried Orange Slices
Tip #1: Slice Oranges Very Thin
Make sure you have a sharp knife when slicing your oranges. You’ll want the slices to have roughly the same thickness so they will dry evenly. Thinner is better, so aim for slices about 1/4-inch thick.
A mandolin is a great tool to ensure even thickness when slicing fruit. Just slice off one end of the orange to create an even surface before continuing with the mandolin.
Tip #2: Dry Excess Moisture Before Baking
With a paper towel, dab each side of the orange slices before placing them in the oven. This gives the fruit a head start on dehydrating.
Tip #3: Bake Orange Slices in the Oven at Low Heat
I tested the oven-drying method at two different temperatures: 175°F and 200°F. Either is fine, but I say if you have the time, go low and slow.
The orange slices I baked at 175°F had better color and texture, though I did have to exercise some patience waiting for them to finish. (Cue the Jeopardy music.)
It can take up to 6 hours to thoroughly dry your citrus fruit at 175°F, while the slightly higher temp takes closer to 4 hours.
I find it helpful to use a baking rack with parchment paper underneath to bake the slices more evenly and prevent the cookie sheet from getting sticky.
Tip #4: Flip Orange Slices Each Hour
When baking your oranges, set a timer to remember to flip the slices every hour or so. This helps the oranges to dry evenly and retain a flat shape rather than curling.
Checking the slices each hour can help you judge when they are dry enough.
Tip #5: For a Culinary Treat, Add Sugar or Spices
If you’d like to use your orange slices as a garnish for a co*cktail or in a holiday punch, try sprinkling on some sugar, cinnamon, and/or ginger. This will result in a carmelized slice that makes a great treat.
I recently had a sugared orange slice served with my sangria while on vacation. It was heavenly!
Ways to Use Dried Orange Slices
My favorite way to show off dried orange slices is in home decor. You’ll see a peek at my fall table decor below.
Here are a few specific ideas for displaying your beautiful citrus slices!
Table Decor Centerpiece
Place a few dried orange slices in a dough bowl with pumpkins and greenery for fall or oversized ornaments for Christmas to celebrate each season.
Place Setting Accent
A single dried orange slice can look beautiful as a place setting accent with a sprig of fresh herbs or faux stems.
See the fall dining room tour
Dried Orange Garland
Dried orange slices are all the rage when it comes to wreaths and garlands. You can add them to a cypress, pine, spruce, or fir garland to add a pop of color to Christmas decor.
I’m also loving the look of orange slices for fall wreaths.
Tiered Tray Decor
A few sprinkles of orange slices add great texture and contrast to a tiered tray, too!
Sidenote: I use this tiered tray for every season, and I absolutely love it!
Potpourri Accent
When making DIY potpourri with dried florals, you can add a few dried orange slices for a more interesting blend.
DIY Christmas Ornament
Add a pretty holiday ribbon or cinnamon sticks and greenery to your dried orange slices for a unique Christmas ornament. What a great handmade gift idea!
For an extra special touch, tie an orange slice onto your gift wrapping, too!
Simmer Pot Ingredient
Dried orange slices also make a nice ingredient for a stovetop simmer pot. Combine them with spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, vanilla, and apples to make your home smell amazing.
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How to Make Dried Orange Slices
Author: firstdayofhome.com
Learn how to make dried orange slices with this simple tutorial. Use your dried oranges to decorate for fall and Christmas or create fun crafts you can give as gifts.
Dried orange slices are trending for wreaths, garlands, centerpieces, and more. You'll love how easy they are to make!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Active Time 6 hours hrs
Total Time 6 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Project Type Arts & Crafts
Cost (US$)10
Yield 16 slices
Supplies
- 2 medium oranges
- parchment paper
Instructions
Preheat oven to 175°F (80°C).
Wash and dry the oranges.
Cut the oranges into 1/4-inch slices. A mandolin works well for this purpose.
Pat the slices dry with a paper towel.
Place the orange slices on a baking rack on top of a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread the orange slices out with space in between to prevent sticking.
Bake the slices in the oven for about 6 hours or until dry. Flip the slices each hour to help the oranges dry evenly.
Remove the slices from the oven once the centers look dry and not glossy. Let the slices finish air-drying, if necessary, rather than overbaking.
Notes
For a faster drying time, you can increase the oven temperature to 200°F (93°C) and bake for about 4 hours. Watch the slices closely near the end to prevent overbaking.
Tried this project?Mention @firstdayofhome or tag #firstdayofhome!
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As an enthusiast and expert in crafting, DIY projects, and home decor, I can confidently break down the concepts and methods mentioned in the article about making dried orange slices.
Firstly, the article discusses various methods to dry orange slices: air-drying, oven-drying, and using a dehydrator. Each method has its pros and cons. Air-drying involves hanging the orange slices using jute cord or baking twine in a cool, dry place, but it can take up to a week or more for the slices to completely dry. Oven-drying, the author's preferred method, requires placing the orange slices on a baking rack over a parchment-lined tray and baking them at a low temperature (175°F or 200°F) for several hours, flipping them every hour for even drying. Alternatively, using a dehydrator, if available, provides temperature control to preserve nutrients in the fruit.
The article also offers specific tips for achieving the best-dried orange slices:
- Slicing the oranges thinly and evenly (around 1/4-inch thick) using a sharp knife or mandolin.
- Dabbing excess moisture from the orange slices with a paper towel before baking to aid in the dehydration process.
- Baking the slices at low temperatures (175°F recommended) for around 4-6 hours, flipping them regularly to ensure even drying and prevent curling.
- Optionally adding sugar or spices like cinnamon and ginger before baking for culinary purposes, creating caramelized slices for garnishing co*cktails or holiday punches.
Furthermore, the article suggests various creative ways to utilize dried orange slices in home decor and crafts:
- Incorporating them into table centerpieces with pumpkins and greenery for fall or oversized ornaments for Christmas.
- Using a single slice as an accent in place settings alongside fresh herbs or faux stems.
- Creating garlands or wreaths by combining dried orange slices with other seasonal foliage like cypress, pine, or fir.
- Enhancing tiered trays for decor with scattered orange slices.
- Utilizing them in DIY potpourri blends for a fragrant touch, or incorporating them into homemade Christmas ornaments by adding ribbons, cinnamon sticks, and greenery.
- Employing dried orange slices as an ingredient in stovetop simmer pots with spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, vanilla, and apples for a pleasant aroma.
The step-by-step instructions provided in the article for making dried orange slices involve simple materials such as oranges, parchment paper, a baking rack, a cookie sheet, and optionally, a mandolin. The process includes preheating the oven, washing and slicing the oranges, patting them dry, arranging them on a baking rack, and baking them at low temperatures for several hours until thoroughly dried.
This comprehensive breakdown showcases an in-depth understanding of the methods, tips, and creative applications for utilizing dried orange slices in various crafting and decor projects.
