Dehydrated oranges are an easy but impressive garnish that your guests will never guess you made yourself!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Once cooled, store the dried orange slices in a zip lock bag in a container until you’re ready to use them.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
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!
Easy Dried Orange Slices
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
NUTRITIONAL VALUES ARE ESTIMATES ONLY AND DO NOT INCLUDE CARBS FROM SUGAR ALCOHOLS.
Sue says
Easy to follow instructions! Mine turned out fabulous!
The Mindful Mocktail says
I’m so happy to hear that Sue! Enjoy.
Vicki Upward says
Love love love 💖
The Mindful Mocktail says
Thanks Vicki, I love these too!