Easy Oven-Dried Orange Slices

If you've dehydrated fruit, you know they make a great snack, cake decoration, or cocktail garnish. How about dried orange slices? What's even better than snacking on them right away? Making them!

All you need is your regular oven, a baking sheet, fresh oranges, and some time and you'll be making dried orange slices in no time. I'm excited to show you how to dry oranges in the oven and enjoy garnishes, snacks, holiday decor, and more. 

Dehydrating is the best option if you are looking for a way to preserve your oranges. Drying food preserves it by removing water and moisture from the food.

Why dehydrate citrus?

There are many reasons you might want to dehydrate citrus fruits. It's one of the easiest ways to preserve food and a healthy snack on its own or as an ingredient in other recipes. Dehydrating fruit is easy, but it does require some patience. You want to cook your fruit at low heat for long periods of time, so it will retain its texture and flavor while removing excess moisture from the fruit itself. The following recipe will help you dehydrate oranges with ease!

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

It's a very easy recipe and drying citrus fruits are a great way to learn how to dry food. You can use any citrus any type of citrus for this recipe. The best part is once

you have a handle on making dried orange slices, you can try out other different types of fruit.

Ingredient Tips

For best results, make sure you select firm oranges with thick skin and no blemishes or brown spots.

When it comes to purchasing your oranges. Whether you're looking to dry blood oranges or looking for the more traditional navel oranges there are plenty of options to keep them for a long time. Keep an eye out for seedless varieties as the seeded oranges will leave large holes in the slices. select fresh oranges

Equipment

Before you can make your own orange slices, you'll need a few tools. 

First, a food dehydrator is necessary for drying the oranges. You can use an oven, but it'll take longer and won't be as efficient at removing moisture from the fruit. You'll also need a sharp knife and a good cutting board to prepare the oranges for drying. 

Use a mandoline to slice the orange slices into ultra-thin slices (if you don't have a mandoline or a sharp chef’s knife) If using an oven, use a wire rack to place the oranges during drying. Lastly, make sure to have some oven mitts or pot holders to protect your hands while moving around your oven trays. 

Instructions

Preparing Oranges for Dehydrating

The first step is to wash the oranges and pat them dry with a paper towel. Then slice oranges into thin rounds about ⅛ inch thick. If you like, you can cut the rounds in half before drying them (this will make them easier to eat later).

How to Dry Orange Slices in an Oven or Food Dehydrator

Preheat your oven to 140 degrees Fahrenheit and place your sliced fruit on a parchment paper cookie sheet in a single layer. Leave the door slightly open while drying so that moisture can escape and help keep them from spoiling. It's key to keep your oven at a low temperature or the fruit could start to cook instead of dehydrating properly.

Turn your oven's heat to its lowest setting and place the rack inside the range. Make sure there is enough room for air to circulate around each orange, so it dries evenly and doesn't scorch any part of its surface.

Arrange your fruit on the wire racks, so they don't overlap too much; this will cause some pieces to get overdried more quickly than others. Place a thermometer near where you've placed them—this will help ensure they aren't overheating too quickly.

Note: If you're using a food dehydrator, set it according to the manufacturer's instructions and place your sliced fruit on a dehydrator tray mesh racks or screens so they don't touch each other while drying 

Keep an eye on them while they're drying! You may need to turn them periodically if one side gets done before another.

Dried Orange Powder

if you decided to make orange powder to add to baking recipes or drinks, this is another fun option! Once you have your dehydrated orange peels, place those in a coffee grinder and grind them til they are a fine powder. 

The thickness of the orange slices will impact how quickly they dry. Slice your oranges thinly. You want orange slices between ⅛ and ¼ inch thick,

How to use dried oranges

Dehydrated oranges are delicious, versatile, and easy to store. Here are some easy ways to use them:

Make a trail mix with dried fruit, nuts, and seeds. Then, add them to salads or yogurt for extra flavor and crunch!

Add them to desserts like cookies or cakes—these beautiful citrus slices will give your baked goods an intense burst of citrus flavor that will impress your guests!

Use it as a cocktail garnish like in this Lemon Honey Old Fashioned. The bright color will add some spice to your presentation.

Dark chocolate and oranges are a great flavor combination. Dip your dehydrated orange slices in melted chocolate and once dry, tuck them in a plastic bag (preferably cellophane) for a great holiday gift.

Non-food ideas

Most of the time my ideas are about how to eat your preserved food but oranges another citrus are definitely an exception! You can use your dehydrated slices in many ways including making your own homemade potpourri or for holiday decor perhaps a dried orange slice garland for your Christmas tree or decorating gifts?

How to Store Dried Orange Slices

One of the best things about drying oranges is that they keep well when properly stored. They're like golden nuggets of sunshine that last forever if you treat them right. Here are some tips for storing dried slices, so they're ready whenever you want them:

• Keep them in an airtight container. This will help keep moisture and prevent mold from growing on the slices. You can use glass jars or containers—just ensure it seals tightly!
• Store your slices in a cool, dry place like a pantry or cupboard away from direct sunlight. If you don't have much space in these areas of your house, consider storing dried orange slices in an extra closet or cabinet where there isn't much traffic coming through each day (and, therefore, less chance for light exposure).
• Keep an eye out for moldy spots after opening a new container of dried oranges]

Continue to Content

📖 Recipe

Yield: 5 oranges

Oven-Dried Orange Slices

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Drying Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 5 minutes

Print

Ingredients

• 5 oranges

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 140 degrees Fahrenheit or your oven's heat to its lowest setting and place the rack inside the range. Make sure there is enough room for air to circulate around each orange, so it dries evenly and doesn't scorch any part of its surface.
1. Place your sliced fruit on a parchment paper cookie sheet in a single layer.
2. Arrange your fruit on the wire racks, so they don't overlap too much; this will cause some pieces to get dry more quickly than others. Place a thermometer near where you've placed them—this will help ensure they aren't overheating too quickly.
3. Leave the door slightly open while drying so that moisture can escape and help keep them from spoiling. 
4. Once your citrus wheels have come to room temperature, store them in an airtight container.

Notes

Note: If you're using a food dehydrator, set it according to the manufacturer's instructions and place your sliced fruit on a dehydrator tray mesh racks or screens so they don't touch each other while drying 

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 34Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 2gSugar: 6gProtein: 1g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram