Learn how to make dehydrated orange slices using a dehydrator at home easily. Dried orange slices can be used for snacking, and adding flavor for cooking or baking but my favorite way to use them is for holiday decorating and gift-giving! Read along as I share this easy recipe to dehydrate beautifully sliced oranges.
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What Kind Of Oranges Should Be Used To Dehydrate?
Any orange can be used. Select firm oranges like blood, and Navel oranges. You will want to use a bright colored orange so that you get a vibrant color when the drying process is done. The firmer the fruit the better for when you are cutting the orange into slices. Note: Other citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, and grapefruits work just as well. If you are making holiday decorations and have room, you may as well add in some of the other suggested citrus fruits for a variety of colors and sizes. They really do turn out nice!
Equipment You Will Need To Dehydrate Oranges:
Dehydrator: For dehydrating the oranges and other citrus fruit.
Sharp knife or a Mandolin: If you are after a professional and even orange slices you may want to use a mandolin to help with that otherwise just a good sharp knife will do the trick.
Oranges/Other Citrus Fruit: Seedless firm fresh oranges will work the best.
Paper towels or clean lint-free towels: If your oranges are very juicy you may need to blot some of the excess juice to help with the drying time.
Mason Jars or storage containers: To store your beautiful dried oranges and other citrus slices in.
How To Make Dehydrated Orange Slices In A Dehydrator
I have been using the Salton Vita Pro food dehydrator for the past couple of years, and I have been pretty happy with it. It is very affordable and I have been using it a lot and it has been holding up well. I like that I can purchase more mesh liners or full liners for fruit leather if I need to.
How to dehydrate oranges:
1. Prepare Oranges
Wash and dry oranges. Carefully slice your oranges and other citrus fruits to your desired thickness using a knife or a mandolin slicer. You will get the best results with thin slices at a 1/4 to 1/8 inch of thickness. You can go thicker if you like, just remember your drying time will be longer.
2. Arrange Orange Slices On Dehydrator Trays
Place your cut orange slices onto your dehydrating trays in a single layer. You can place them close together but try not to overlap them as this will result in uneven drying. If they are pretty juicy you can dry orange slices with a paper towel.
3. Set The Temperature
Set your dehydrator to the suggested drying temperature for your machine. It will usually be around 130 – 140 degrees for fruit. After a couple of hours, it is helpful to keep rotating your trays around. I will take my bottom tray and move it to the top and rearrange the others. You may even want to flip over your orange slices. You may be tempted to raise the temperature to speed up the drying time just be aware that if the oranges are dried at a higher temperature they tend to turn more of a brown color instead of retaining their nice bright orange color so a lower temperature is best.
4. Dry Your Orange/Citrus Slices
The dehydrating time for the orange slices will vary depending on the thickness of the orange slices and the type of dehydrator you have. Orange slices take a long time to dry and this can vary from 12 to 24+ hours. Be sure to rotate your trays every few hours. I usually bring the bottom one to the top and vice versa. You can also flip your slices over to help with even drying as well. Your orange slices will be done when they don’t feel sticky and easily break in half.
Note: If you notice that some of the orange slices are drying faster and are dried before the rest, be sure to remove those dried slices from the dehydrator.
5. Cool and Store Dehydrated Orange Slices
Cool your dehydrated orange slices and then place them in an airtight container or glass jar to store. Place your containers of dehydrated citrus slices in a dark and dry area for the best shelf life. Although you may want to leave a jar out in your kitchen because they look so beautiful and cheery!
They can last for years if stored properly. You will want to keep checking your dehydrated oranges once a week for the first couple of weeks to make sure there is no mold growing.
How To Dehydrate Oranges In A Oven
If you do not have a dehydrator then you can also use your oven or even a toaster oven with convection will work to dehydrate orange slices. I have not done this method myself as I have been using my dehydrator. Below is what I have found regarding drying oranges in the oven.
- Turn your oven on to the lowest temperature setting. That may be between 170 – 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Wash and slice the oranges and other citrus fruit you may have.
- Place onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper so that the fruit slices do not stick to the baking sheet. You may also use a wire rack.
- Place into the oven and bake for 3 to 6 hours or more till done.
- Start checking your slices after a couple of hours. Flipping them will help speed up the drying process.
- Cool and store your orange slices in an air-tight container.
How to use your Dehydrated Oranges
There are so many fun ways to use your dehydrated oranges, here are just a few ideas for you!
- Throw some slices of dehydrated orange into a pitcher of water for a citrus flavor
- Add to mulled wine
- Add to some of your homemade tea mixes
- Use as a healthy snack or added to homemade trail mix
- Grind into orange powder to add to homemade spice mixes
- Decorate baked goods
- Place some dehydrated slices onto fish or meat when cooking
- Use in DIY potpourri to add a nice citrus scent to the home
- Decorate gifts or gift cards to give a nice homemade touch during the holiday season
- Create beautiful dried orange Christmas Decorations or make a dried orange slice garland
- Make a homemade orange wreath or garland
FAQ About Dehydrating Oranges
How long will dried orange slices last? They will last for up to 3 – 5 years. I have found by year three they have darkened quite a bit and by that time the family wants to make a fresh batch of dehydrated oranges for decorating.
Can you dehydrate oranges without the peels?
Absolutely! I have not tried dehydrating without the peels, yet. I think that without the peels on the orange slices will dry up smaller than with the peel left on.
What if my orange slices are taking longer to dry?
Dehydrating oranges does take a really long time. I would just let them keep on drying till they are done. They may be sliced thicker in areas or your dehydrator temperature may vary. They will eventually be dried.
How will you use your dehydrated orange slices?
MORE OF OUR DEHYDRATING FAVORITES TO TRY:
- Do you have a lot of basil and are wondering how to preserve it? This dehydrating basil recipe will help you extend your shelf life for basil so that you can enjoy basil all year long!
If you enjoyed this dehydrated orange slices recipe, please give it a five-star review and help share it on Facebook and Pinterest so that others can enjoy it too!
How To Make Dehydrated Orange Slices
Learn how to make dehydrated orange slices using a dehydrator at home easily. Dried orange slices can be used for snacking, and adding flavor for cooking or baking but my favorite way to use them is for holiday decorating and gift-giving!
Ingredients
- 3 Oranges
- 1 Grapefruit
- 1 Lemon
Instructions
How to dehydrate oranges:
1. Prepare Oranges
Wash and dry oranges. Carefully slice your oranges and other citrus fruits to your desired thickness using a knife or a mandolin slicer. You will get the best results with thin slices at a 1/4 to 1/8 inch of thickness. You can go thicker if you like, just remember your drying time will be longer.
2. Arrange Orange Slices On Dehydrator Trays
Place your cut orange slices onto your dehydrating trays in a single layer. You can place them close together but try not to overlap them as this will result in uneven drying. If they are pretty juicy you can dry orange slices with a paper towel.
3. Set The Temperature
Set your dehydrator to the suggested drying temperature for your machine. It will usually be around 130 – 140 degrees for fruit. After a couple of hours, it is helpful to keep rotating your trays around. I will take my bottom tray and move it to the top and rearrange the others. You may even want to flip over your orange slices. You may be tempted to raise the temperature to speed up the drying time just be aware that if the oranges are dried at a higher temperature they tend to turn more of a brown color instead of retaining their nice bright orange color so a lower temperature is best.
4. Dry Your Orange/Citrus Slices
The dehydrating time for the orange slices will vary depending on the thickness of the orange slices and the type of dehydrator you have. Orange slices take a long time to dry and this can vary from 12 to 24+ hours. Be sure to rotate your trays every few hours. I usually bring the bottom one to the top and vice versa. You can also flip your slices over to help with even drying as well. Your orange slices will be done when they don’t feel sticky and easily break in half.
Note: If you notice that some of the orange slices are drying faster and are dried before the rest, be sure to remove those dried slices from the dehydrator.
5. Cool and Store Dehydrated Orange Slices
Cool your dehydrated orange slices and then place them in an airtight container or glass jar to store. Place your containers of dehydrated citrus slices in a dark and dry area for the best shelf life. Although you may want to leave a jar out in your kitchen because they look so beautiful and cheery!
I'm Tammy, a Canadian zone 3 gardener, harvester, preserver and homesteader. Welcome to my blog!
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