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Mindful Mocktail » Drink Garnishes » Dried Orange Slices

March 15, 2022 · 4 Comments

Dried Orange Slices

Drink Garnishes

Jump to Recipe

Dehydrated oranges are an easy but impressive garnish that your guests will never guess you made yourself!

dried orange, blood orange, lime, grapefruit and lemon slices scattered on a grey background this recipe

These dried orange slices are perfect to keep on hand for garnishing drinks, cakes, or anything else you fancy. A lack of a dehydrator means that dried oranges are often placed in the too hard basket but they couldn’t be simpler!

My baked orange slices use the oven, so they’re perfect for anyone who loves the look of dried citrus but doesn’t want to invest in yet another appliance.

This trans-seasonal recipe is perfect at Christmas but can be enjoyed all year round. It is:

  • Easy: it only takes a few simple steps to make dehydrated oranges. The prep time is only 5 minutes and then you can let your oven do all of the work!
  • Versatile: as well as being used as a mocktail (or cocktail) garnish, dried orange slices can be used as Christmas decorations, to adorn garlands or be served as orange chips.
  • Can be made in bulk: dehydrated oranges have a shelf life of up to 12 months if dehydrated and stored properly. Make a big batch and then bring them out when you’re feeling a bit fancy.

WHAT ARE DRIED ORANGE SLICES USED FOR?

Dried oranges are a versatile ingredient. Use them to:

  • Garnish mocktails (or cocktails).
  • Decorate hot or iced tea.
  • Add flavour to marinades.
  • Top cakes.
  • Add colour to your mulling spice mix.
  • Hang upon the Christmas tree.
  • Decorate a wreath as part of your Christmas décor.
  • For contrast on garlands to hang upon your mantel.
hands holding a dehydrated orange slice with dried lime lemon grapefruit and blood orange in the background

INGREDIENTS

This dried orange slices recipe calls for simple everyday ingredients that combine to make an impressive garnish.

  • Oranges: fresh oranges are the star of this recipe. Instead of their sweet juice, this recipe utilizes their beautiful golden hue that deepens and intensifies with the drying process. Note: Citrus like limes, grapefruit, blood orange and lemon also work well in this recipe. See variations for more inspiration.
whole limes lemons grapefruit oranges and blood orange on a grey background

VARIATIONS

The great thing about this dried orange slices recipe is that any citrus works! Follow the same steps with lime, blood  orange, tangelo, grapefruit, or lemon for a variety of colourful citrus wheels.

EQUIPMENT YOU’LL NEED 

  • Baking sheets: regular cookie sheets or baking trays work well.
  • Parchment paper: also known as baking paper, helps to stop your citrus wheels from sticking to the baking sheet and allows for an easy flip at the halfway point.
  • Wire racks: a non-stick wire rack can be used as an alternative for a baking tray and paper if you run out of trays or don’t have any on hand.
  • Mandolin slicer or sharp knife: a nice even cut will give your dried orange slices a professional look. A mandolin slicer will allow for a more uniform look, however a sharp knife and steady hand works just as well.
  • Paper towel: patting down your citrus slices before you bake speeds up the dehydration process. Have a few sheets on hand in case your fruit is extra juicy.

HOW TO DEHYDRATE ORANGES IN THE OVEN

If you’ve ever wondered how to dry oranges in the oven, you might be surprised at just how easy it is. Simply:

Preheat your oven to 70ºC (160ºF), or as low as your oven will go.

Cut the citrus into 6mm / ¼ inch slices. If you have a mandolin, it will make this task much easier. If not, use a sharp knife and cut as evenly as you can.

Line a baking sheet with parchment/baking paper. You could also use a wire rack – just make sure it’s non-stick.

Place the citrus wheels in a single layer on top of the cookie tray, about 1 centimetre/ half inch apart. 

orange, blood orange, lime, grapefruit and lemon slices scattered on a baking tray

Blot with paper towel to remove the excess moisture. Turn and blot the other side.

sliced citrus being blotted with paper towel to remove the moisture before baking

Bake for 2 hours then flip the orange wheels. Return to the oven and bake for another 2 hours, then check. If any moisture remains, leave them in a little longer.

slices of lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit and orange on baking trays lined with parchment paper in the oven

Only remove from the oven when all moisture is removed, and they are completely dry.

Once cooled, store the dried orange slices in a zip lock bag in a container until you’re ready to use them.

dried orange, blood orange, lime, grapefruit and lemon slices lined up on a grey background

Frequently asked questions

Can you dry orange slices in the microwave?

Yes, you can dry orange slices in the microwave. Slice the fresh oranges. Place them on a microwave-safe dish lined with 5 sheets of paper towel. Add 5 more sheets of paper towel on top.
Set the microwave to defrost and cook for 7 minutes. Place the partially cooked orange slices on a wire rack whilst you replace the paper towel with fresh sheets. Place the orange slices on the fresh paper towel and microwave them on defrost for a further 5 minutes. 
Remove the orange slices and check them. If they look jelly-like, they’re ready. If not, turn them over and continue to cook them on defrost in 2-minute intervals until they are.
Lay the jelly-like orange slices on a wire rack until they are firm.

How long do dried orange slices last?

So long as the orange slices are fully dried before storing, they can last between 6-12 months. 
Store the dried orange wheels in a zip lock bag inside an airtight container for best results.

Can you dry orange slices in an air fryer?

There’s not much that an air fryer can’t do. Orange slices are perfect for dehydrating in this versatile appliance.
Arrange the citrus slices in your air fryer basket without allowing them to overlap. Then, set your air fryer to its lowest temperature and cook for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, flip the oranges and return them to the air fryer for another 20 minutes. If they’re not fully dried after 20 minutes, continue to cook them in 2-minute intervals until fully dry.

Once ready, place the dried fruit on wire racks to cool.

I hope you enjoy making these dried orange slices as much as I have enjoyed creating the recipe for you!

dried orange, blood orange, lime, grapefruit and lemon slices scattered on a grey background

Easy Dried Orange Slices

Simple, but impressive, these dried orange slices make the perfect garnish.
5 from 6 votes
Author: Nat
Print Pin Rate
Course: Garnish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 hours
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 16

Ingredients

  • 4 oranges or citrus of your choice

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 70ºC (160ºF), or as low as your oven will go.
  • Thinly slice the oranges into 6mm / ¼ inch rounds. If you have a mandolin, it will make this task much easier. If not, use a sharp knife and cut as evenly as you can.
  • Line a baking tray with baking/parchment paper. 
  • Place the citrus wheels in a single layer on top of the cookie tray, about 1 centimetre/half inch apart. Blot with paper towel to remove the excess moisture. Turn and blot the other side.
  • Bake for 2 hours then flip the orange wheels. Return to the oven and bake for another 2 hours, then check. If any moisture remains, leave them in a little longer.
  • Only remove from the oven when all moisture is removed, and they are completely dry.
  • Store your dried orange slices in a zip lock bag inside an airtight container until you’re ready to use them.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 10g | Calories: 15kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Potassium: 59mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 74IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

NUTRITIONAL VALUES ARE ESTIMATES ONLY AND DO NOT INCLUDE CARBS FROM SUGAR ALCOHOLS.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Mention @themindfulmocktail or tag #themindfulmocktail!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sue says

    May 12, 2022 at 10:10 am

    5 stars
    Easy to follow instructions! Mine turned out fabulous!

    Reply
    • The Mindful Mocktail says

      May 13, 2022 at 12:00 pm

      I’m so happy to hear that Sue! Enjoy.

      Reply
  2. Vicki Upward says

    March 16, 2022 at 10:45 am

    5 stars
    Love love love 💖

    Reply
    • The Mindful Mocktail says

      March 17, 2022 at 3:00 pm

      Thanks Vicki, I love these too!

      Reply

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Cheers and enjoy! 💙💛

#healthydrinks #alcoholfreedrinks #nonalcoholic #noalcohol #mocktailrecipe
I received some DM’s after last weeks reel sayin I received some DM’s after last weeks reel saying that while many of you are feeling better physically after 1 week alcohol free, you’re also feeling cranky & emotional.

It reminded me of a story I shared early on, so I’m resharing in the hope that it helps explain why.

‘When I first took a break from drinking, I spent a lot of time feeling really pissed off.

I didn’t understand what was happening. 

Wasn’t I supposed to be feeling better?

I mean sure, it was great to not have to deal with hangovers. My skin was clearer. I was sleeping better. The physical stuff was great. The mental stuff not so much.

My emotions seemed extreme. I would get teary over things that hadn’t made me teary before. I was getting easily frustrated at little things.

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Then one night it all made sense.

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I got this feeling in my stomach, like butterflies but better. Like a thrill. It reminded me of how I used to feel on Christmas Eve as a child. Or in the countdown to my birthday. That utter excitement & anticipation of something awesome about to happen.

I realised what the feeling in my stomach was. I was feeling joy. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt pure, swelling of the heart, giddy joy like that.

See, the thing with alcohol is that it numbs you right down. It numbs every emotion down.
We call it ‘taking the edge off’, but what it really does is dulls the feelings so you don’t have to ‘feel them’ as hard.

The downside? It dulls the good stuff too. Like joy. And excitement. And that swelling of the heart kind of happiness. Those feelings I thought were reserved only for kids.

It wasn’t long after this ‘Aha’ moment that I came across this quote from Brené Brown & it all made sense.

These extreme feelings of being super irritated then overly joyful was simply me feeling the full range of human emotions.

Which is normal. And healthy.

As Glennon Doyle says in Untamed:

‘Feelings are made for feeling. All of them’.’

Can you relate to this?

#dryjanuary #sobercurious #alcoholfreelife #alcoholfreeliving #soberquotes
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▪️Salt for rim

Place jalapeño, lime, maple syrup, a splash of lime sparkling water and tequila/ACV over ice in a cocktail shaker.
Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds.
Strain mixture into an ice filled glass rimmed with salt.
Top with lime sparkling water and stir gently.
Garnish with some extra jalapeños and serve.

Note: if you don’t have alcohol free tequila, the apple cider vinegar will give this recipe that little kick that is missing from the alcohol. 

Cheers and enjoy! 
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Give me a 🙋🏼‍♀️ if you LOVE this quote Give me a 🙋🏼‍♀️ if you LOVE this quote as much as I do!

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Have you thought about why you are participating in Dry Jan? It might be you’re having a dry month to simply give your body a break and you have a perfectly normal relationship with alcohol. If this is you, that is INCREDIBLE - please carry on as you were 😉

For me, I used to participate in dry months as a way to ‘prove’ to myself that I didn’t have a problem with alcohol. I would get to the end of the month and think proudly ‘See? SEE? You can get through a whole month without wine. There is nothing wrong with you. If there was, you’d never be able to take a whole month off.’

Everyone around me was so surprised (and supportive) when I’d take a break - I remember one year I came in as one of the Top 10 fundraisers in Australia for Ocsober because it was so unusual for me to go without my beloved wine 🙃

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✨Don’t forget to save this recipe✨

Ingredients

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▪️ 1 lime, sliced into rounds
▪️ 5 strawberries to garnish (optional)
▪️ A few sprigs of mint to garnish (optional)

Method

1. Place lemon, lime and orange into a pitcher. 2. Add the maple syrup and muddle gently to release the juices from the citrus.
3. Add the orange juice and stir.
4. Gently pour in the sparkling wine, then stir gently and add some ice to the pitcher.
5. Slice some strawberries and add them to the mixture.
6. Serve in ice filled wine glasses with some extra citrus, berries and mint.

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You can find the link in my bio.

I want to wish you a happy, safe and healthy New Year and I’ll see you in 2022, ready for a HUGE Dry January month!

Who’s in?! ✨
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#dryjanuary #dryjan #dryjanuary2022 #alcoholfreelife #soberliving
Meet my ‘why’ - my beautiful family ✨ Merry Meet my ‘why’ - my beautiful family ✨

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from us to you 🎄♥️

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✨Easy Virgin Christmas Mules✨ I adore Moscow ✨Easy Virgin Christmas Mules✨

I adore Moscow Mules and this recipe has a delicious festive twist! 🎄

You’ll need:

✨ 3oz/90mls pomegranate juice
✨ 1oz/30mls lime juice
✨ 1 cup ginger beer
✨ 2-3 dashes of bitters (optional)
✨ Ice
✨ Something to garnish - I love pomegranate arils, lime and mint.

Method

Fill your copper mug or a highball glass with ice. Add pomegranate juice, lime juice, ginger beer and bitters (if using) and stir gently.
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The bitters add a lovely kick to this recipe but can be left out if you prefer.
Mules are traditionally made with vodka. You can add 1oz/30mls non alcoholic vodka to this recipe if you wish.

🎄Don’t forget to save this post🎄

Cheers and enjoy! 🎄♥️

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