This guide will teach you how to dry orange slices in the oven to use as Christmas garlands, cocktail garnishes, and more. The low and slow method dries out the fruit, helping them last for years!
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Citrus is a staple in winter. From oranges to limes, these vibrant fruits come into season as soon as the cold weather hits, offering extra vitamin C in your diet and color on your plates.
You can use citrus fruits in almost anything, from Orange Julius Drinks to Lemon Pasta, but they have so many more creative uses, especially during winter.
Use the zest in fun edible gifts, like Citrus Salt, or dry the sliced fruit in the oven or dehydrator for a colorful and aromatic citrus Christmas garland!
In this guide, I’ll show you how to spruce up your Christmas decor, holiday gifts, and all kinds of cocktails and desserts with dried oranges. Making dried orange slices is easy and you don’t need any special equipment. Just slice, bake low and slow, then enjoy!
Just like the fresh fruit, dried orange slices come with all kinds of fun uses. Place a slice on top of a fruity cocktail, tie them to Christmas presents, string them together for garland, or crumble them up for a sweet granola topping. Keep reading to learn more about making DIY dried orange slices for decoration and garnishes.
Ingredients needed
The only ingredient you need is oranges! In fact, any variety of citrus fruit can be dehydrated. Stick to the classics or experiment with more, like:
- Navel oranges
- Blood oranges
- Tangerines
- Cara cara oranges
- Mandarin segments
- Grapefruit
- Lemons
- Limes
You can make dried-out orange slices any time of year but seasonal winter citrus is best. The sweet aromas are stronger and, if you plan on eating the dehydrated orange slices, they’ll taste their best.
When shopping, choose fruit that’s ripe but feels firm to the touch. Fruit that’s too ripe will be softer and harder to slice into evenly-sized rounds.
Equipment needed
You don’t need a dehydrator or any other special tools to dry orange slices. All you need is:
- A knife to slice the oranges
- A cutting board
- Baking sheets and parchment paper
- An oven
How to dry orange slices in the oven
Thinly slice the oranges into evenly-sized slices (about ¼ inch thick). Lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake the orange slices in a 200ºF oven (or the lowest temperature on your oven) for between 2 to 4 hours. You need to flip the slices every 30 minutes to prevent them from burning.
The oranges should feel dry, but still pliable when they’re done. Browning indicates that they’ve been overcooked.
Take the oranges out of the oven and leave them to cool completely before storing.
Can I use a dehydrator instead?
Yes, if you have a food dehydrator, go ahead and use it instead of the oven. Lay the orange slices in an even layer on the dehydrating rack and dehydrate at 135ºF for approximately 3 to 7 hours (depending on the orange slice thickness and juiciness).
Tips and tricks
- Wash and scrub the oranges under running really well before you get started.
- The thicker the fruit slices, the longer they’ll take to dry out.
- Pat the slices dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel to help speed up the drying process.
- If some slices are browning more quickly than others, feel free to remove them from the oven earlier.
- You’ll know the slices are ready when they feel completely dry to the touch but can still be bent without crumbling. They’ll crisp up as they cool.
Are dried orange slices edible?
Yes, both the orange peel and orange flesh are edible even after they’ve been dried out. Dried orange chips are a tasty snack as-is or can be enjoyed with a ton of other recipes.
Foodie ways to use dried oranges
- As a garnish on a glass of mulled wine or white wine sangria.
- Spruce up your glass of water, sparkling water, or lemonade with a slice or two.
- Place them on tequila-based cocktails, like a paloma, spicy grapefruit margaritas, or this Italian margarita.
- Use them as a garnish in a bowl of Christmas punch.
- Dip them in melted chocolate and top with edible flowers, herbs, or sprinkles.
- They’re a simple garnish for an Aperol Sour or Aperol spritz.
- Top them on a vanilla or citrus-flavored cake for decoration. The same goes for cupcakes!
- Crumble up the dried slices. They’re a sweet addition to batches of homemade granola and yogurt breakfast bowls.
Decorative ways to use dried oranges
- String them together for Christmas garlands or tree ornaments.
- Use them in a batch of homemade potpourri.
- Use them for decoration on a charcuterie board.
- Hang the leftover Christmas orange garland in your kitchen year-round for a natural air freshener.
- Tie them to Christmas gifts as a fun and natural decoration.
- If you don’t need them right away, pack the slices into jars and keep them on your bar cart for later!
How long do they last?
Dried orange slices will last for about 1 to 2 years. Just keep them in an airtight jar or ziploc bag in a cool, dry, and dark place.
Mold shouldn’t form on the slices if they’re perfectly dried out and crisp.
Did you try making your own dried oranges for cocktails?
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Full Recipe
Oven Dried Orange Slices Recipe
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
- 4 oranges (or other citrus fruits)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200-degrees, or lower if it goes lower.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Thinly slice the oranges into uniform thin slices (about ¼ inch thick).
- Arrange in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 2-4 hours, flipping every 30 minutes or so, until the citrus slices are dried, but still somewhat pliable and not brown. If some slices are browning more quickly than others, feel free to remove them from the oven earlier.
- Let cool then store in an airtight container or ziploc bag.
Notes
- The thicker the fruit slices, the longer they’ll take to dry out.
- Pat the slices dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel to help speed up the drying process.
- You’ll know the slices are ready when they feel completely dry to the touch but can still be bent without crumbling. They’ll crisp up as they cool.
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