Oven-Dried Orange Slices (2024)

FAQs

How do you know when orange slices are dried enough? ›

– You'll be able to tell when your orange slices are dry because they will truly look and feel dry, meaning that there're will be no sticky or soft areas. If your oranges are on the brink of burning in the oven, you can remove them early and let them air dry for a day or so.

Bake the slices in the oven for about 6 hours, or until completely dry. Flip the slices every hour or so to help the oranges dry evenly and retain a nice flat shape. If your oranges are sticky or tacky, add more time until all the moisture is removed to prevent mold.

Just check every time you flip to see if they are becoming slightly glassy like a stained window. Once they are, they're done! Your dried oranges will continue to dry out over the next month or so.

-Dry the oranges off with a paper towel as much as possible before you put them in the oven. Oranges are so juicy and having them “pre-dried” a bit really helps. -Take a paper towel & thoroughly dry all the oranges.

Dehydrated fruits should be leathery and pliable. Test for the perfect dryness by removing a few pieces from the dehydrator, cooling to room temperature, and squeezing between your fingers. If no moisture forms on your hand or the fruit and the pieces spring apart when released, they are dry!

The dried fruit is a disorder known as granulation. Granulation is the drying of the juice sacs within the fruit. Navel, mandarins, mandarin hybrids, grapefruit and Valencia fruit sometimes exhibit drying of juice vesicles when harvest is delayed or when the trees are grown on lemon or other vigorous rootstocks.

Here we'll answer some frequently asked questions on using dried orange slices. Can you eat dried orange slices? Yes. They're delicious.

Dab each side of the orange slices with a paper towel before placing them in the oven, this will remove any excess moisture. If you don't have a cooling rack, no worries, you can place the slices in a single layer on top of some parchment paper. Without the paper, the oranges will stick and fall apart.

You want to lay out your orange slice pieces on the racks or trays. DO NOT use parchment paper. I set mine at 160 degrees F and set them to run for 3 hours. I did check them once during the 3 hours to rotate the bottom rack and the top racks.

Dried orange slices don't lose any of their beneficial properties, including their high vitamin C content. That means they're just as healthy to consume, and can help boost your immune system to prevent you from getting ill!

Do dried oranges attract bugs? ›

It's important they are completely dehydrated so they don't rot or attract bugs.

If you dry and store your oranges properly, the slices should be good for at least two years, and often much longer and they'll be ready for Christmas porch decor ideas and Christmas patio ideas. To store, place them in a completely dry airtight container until the next holiday season.

Pat the orange slices dry with a paper towel to help them dry faster. Lay parchment paper down on a baking sheet if you have it (aluminum foil also works). Then lay out the orange slices on the baking sheet. Bake the orange slices on one side for about 2 hours then flip over and bake for another 2 hours.

Juicier citrus fruits like grapefruits and oranges will take closer to 6 hours. You'll know the fruit is completely dried when it has a brittle texture and no moisture comes off if you gently press a paper towel on it.

'To dry orange slices, cut them into around ½in (1cm) thick rounds. Wash and pat dry, then arrange them on a wire rack on a baking tray,' she says. 'Place in a preheated low temperature oven – around 275º F (140ºC, gas mark 1) – and bake for around 3 hours, turning them occasionally.

How to Decorate With Dried Oranges Slices. Decorating for Christmas with dried orange slices is a budget-friendly way to give your home a beautiful holiday look while ushering in seasonal fragrance. To do this, simply slice the citrus fruits evenly and place in a dehydrator for at least eight hours until fully dry.

Bake the orange slices in the oven for 2-3 hours. If you cut thicker slices, you'll need to allow longer than this – up to 6 hours. Turn them every 30 minutes to thoroughly dry them. If you don't, you may end up with uneven colour, moist patches or even burnt areas.