Why are my dried oranges turning brown?
To avoid your dried orange slices from turning brown, it's best to dry them on the lowest temperature possible. They will turn brown if they're accidentally overcooked or burned. Dry orange slices may also turn more brown over time, as their natural colors fade over the years.
Your dried orange slices should last for as long as you like, especially since this is a tutorial for using them as decorations and not for eating. Even if you were to dry and store dried oranges to be eaten they can last up to two years! The key is to make sure you've dried your slices completely to prevent any mold.
Step 3: Bake oranges
If you don't flip them periodically, they won't dry evenly and could potentially burn. 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.
You can keep dried orange garlands and reuse them year after year. Some readers have said they've kept theirs for up to 7 years! The trick is to store them in an airtight container.
It's important they are completely dehydrated so they don't rot or attract bugs. (Although they will dry on the tree and over time as well.) Prepare your oranges a day or so before you plan to use them.
- Avocados.
- Olives.
- Fatty Meats.
- Dairy, Such as milk, butter, cheese due to the high risk of food poisoning.
- Nuts.
- Peanut Butter.
- Sodas.
- Juices.
To avoid your dried orange slices from turning brown, it's best to dry them on the lowest temperature possible. They will turn brown if they're accidentally overcooked or burned. Dry orange slices may also turn more brown over time, as their natural colors fade over the years.
Whether or not you remove the orange peel before dehydrating is up to you. It's a personal preference. If you leave the peel on, the oranges will look nice. But you might not like the texture of the peel.
To dry oranges in the oven, you'll want to preheat your oven to 200 degrees and prep a cookie sheet with a layer of parchment paper. Without the parchment or some sort of lining, the fruit will definitely stick to the surface, so just make sure you don't skip this step.
Place the trays in a preheated food dehydrator and let the orange juice fully dehydrate. The drying process typically takes most of the afternoon, but it is well worth it. Depending on the thickness of your slices, check on your oranges every few hours until fully dry, about 5-10 hours.
How long does it take to dry out orange slices?
Set slices in a single layer on baking sheets topped with wire racks. Cook for 4-6 hours, until dry to the touch, rotating every few hours for even cooking. Cool completely before storing or using. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one month.
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.
Dehydrated oranges are a very healthy, completely natural treat. Dried foods also keep their nutrients for much longer than fresh foods. These are full of vitamin C and antioxidants!
While this could be a problem if I expected my garland to last a long time, it only needs to last through the New Year. ∼I wouldn't save or store these for years to come. The orange slices would most likely become moldy or attract ants, and you are better off just making new ones each year.
Do dried orange slices smell? Yes, dried orange slices make your house smell super citrusy while you bake them and have a delightful subtle scent after they've been dried. They're wonderful added to potpourri or used in tablescapes or garlands for a citrusy scent.
CAN I STOP MY DEHYDRATOR OVERNIGHT? DRYCEMBER DAY 13
You can dehydrate cheese and save it, without refrigeration, for future use. Dehydrated cheese is a nice addition to homemade trail mix, cereal snack mix, and fruit and nut mixes.
Dehydrating meat prolongs its shelf life, allowing you to rehydrate it later or enjoy as a dried food. Cooked bacon works well in a dehydrator and makes a protein-packed snack, salad topping or soup ingredient. Dehydrated bacon is also a good item to pack for extended hikes or camping trips.
I sliced 3 small oranges to fill my baking sheet, but it depends on the size of your oven and oranges how many will fit. Place the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet covered with baking paper. Bake for 4-6 hours or until completely dry, opening the oven door every now and then to let out steam.
Dry at 125°F/52°C or lower for 18-36+ hours. While the recommended temperature for fruit is 135°F/57°C, oranges often brown during the drying phase as the sugars brown from the heat. Dropping the temperature can help prevent that, though you do have to add a little more time to the drying process.
What temperature do you dehydrate oranges at?
To make dried orange slices in a dehydrator simply set the temperature to 135F (60C), lay the slices out on the racks of the dehydrator and allow to dry out for approximately 5-7 hours.
Place whole oranges in a food dehydrator on drying racks or in a low-heat oven in a single layer on baking sheets. Turn occasionally to maintain shape. Leave in the food dehydrator or oven for 24 to 48 hours; larger oranges may require a longer drying time.
Place your orange slices on the plate ensuring that none overlap. Add 5 more sheets of paper towel to the top. Place the plate in the microwave. Set the microwave on defrost and 7 minutes.
If stored properly, these dehydrated delicacies can last for months or even years! Use a dehydrating machine or a household oven to dry out orange slices, or dehydrate orange peels naturally in the sun.
Use Your Oven
It's remarkably easy to dehydrate fruits and veggies in the oven. Just turn it to the lowest setting, cut your fruit and veg into ¼ inch slices, and put them in the oven on a lined sheet pan for as long as they need, usually 6 to 8 hours.
- For travel food and also for quick snacks.
- In making orange tea.
- For garnishing.
- Grinding into powdery form and using for flavoring soups, baked goods, and stews.
Step 1: Dry Oranges
Cut 10 oranges into 1/2-inch thick slices. Place the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper ($4, Target). Bake in a 175°F oven for 4 hours, flipping the oranges halfway through. It's important to cook the orange slices at a low temperature so they don't burn or brown.
Dehydrated lemons and oranges are okay, but dehydrating does not capture the freshly-squeezed taste of citrus. I also freeze dried lemon and orange slices.
Soaking the sliced fruit in an acidic solution preserves the color and texture of the dried fruits, and it increases the destruction of potentially harmful bacteria during drying.
Ascorbic acid, also known as Vitamin C, is used as an anti-oxidant to keep fruit from darkening.
How do you store dried fruit for a long time?
Store In Airtight Container: Always keep dry fruits in an airtight container. This reduces the risk of them drying out. Air and moisture may damage them. Hence, it is recommened to always keep dry fruits in an air tight container.
Most dried fruits can be stored for 1 year at 60ºF, 6 months at 80ºF. Vegetables have about half the shelf-life of fruits. Foods that are packaged seemingly "bone dry" can spoil if moisture is reabsorbed during storage.
The citrus flesh will still be slightly tacky, but once they cool they will be brittle. How do you store Dehydrated Citrus? Store in an airtight container in a cool and dry place. Once you see that the color has faded significantly, that is a good time to throw them out and replace them.
Conditioning. To condition, cool the dried fruit to room temperature and store it, loosely packed in a clear, airtight non-plastic container such as a large glass jar. Let it sit for a week, checking daily for any signs of moisture or condensation.
Can you eat dried orange slices? Yes, dried orange slices are edible! You can use them as a garnish, in baked goods, or just snack on them. They're especially delicious if you sprinkle them with a little sugar.
