How to Make Dried Orange Slices in the Oven
All-natural, edible, and jewel-toned garnishes are never far from reach once you learn How to Make Dried Orange Slices in the Oven! Whether you make them for garnishing your drinks, decorating cakes, or wrapping presents, these simple and beautiful citrus slices add a pop of color to everything they touch.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Dehydrating Time4 hours hrs
Total Time4 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Course: Garnish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 20 Slices
Calories: 213kcal
- 1 pound Citrus Fruits Oranges, Blood Oranges, Lemons etc.
Preheat the oven to 225°F. Wash your citrus well with water, then dry them with a clean kitchen towel.
1 pound Citrus Fruits
Cut the citrus as thinly and consistently as you can, then place them on your parchment-lined baking tray.
Allow the citrus slices to bake low and slow at 225°F for 2 hours before turning them over and letting them bake for another 1.5-2 hours! Throughout these final 2 hours, take care to continually flip over the citrus slices so that they dry out evenly and you are able to monitor the coloring. We want these lovely orange slices to preserve their color and not become burnt.
Expert Tips
Dehydrating citrus slices is a very straightforward procedure, but as a teacher, I can’t help but offer a few extra tips:
- Remove the seeds for a prettier look. After you slice your oranges, use a toothpick to help you remove any errant seeds.
- Choose a variety of colors. If at all possible, get a few different types of citrus to dehydrate. Naval oranges, cara cara oranges, and blood oranges will give you a lovely range of hues that you can use to make ombre decorations.
- Don’t be afraid to branch out. Oranges are not the only citrus that can be dehydrated for garnish. Limes, lemons, grapefruits, and even pomelos can be used to give you a wider assortment of colors to choose from.
- Add a sprinkle of sugar if you want. If you intend on your dried citrus slices to be eaten, you can sweeten them up with a quick dusting of granulated sugar.
- Or dip them in chocolate. I happen to love the candied orange zest pieces that have been dipped in dark chocolate. If you do, too, try dipping the dried orange slices about halfway in melted chocolate (or chocolate melts, if you don’t want to temper), then let set on parchment.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I dehydrate more than just citrus in the oven? Absolutely! This method will also work for apples and pears.
- Can I use my dehydrator if I don’t want to turn the oven on? Of course! You’ll just need to read the manufacturer’s instructions to learn what setting you’ll need to use. My dehydrator simply lists temperatures, so I can set mine to 225F and forget about it for about 4 hours.
- How long will dried citrus slices last? These pretty little jewels will last pretty well for upwards of a month or more! To store them, add them to a ziptop bag or airtight container and keep them in a cool, dark spot. Avoid placing them in the fridge or freezer - those environments are too humid and can cause the oranges to rehydrate and rot. If you happen to have an extra packet of silica (from a box of shoes or a bag of jerky), toss it in there for even better storage.
Calories: 213kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Potassium: 821mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 1021IU | Vitamin C: 241mg | Calcium: 181mg | Iron: 1mg