Beautiful dried orange slices for ornaments are a wonderful way to add homemade rustic charm to your holiday décor this Christmas!
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When it comes to decorating for Christmas, no one does it like my mom. She's a wizard when it comes to creating gorgeous garlands and whimsical wreaths. Seriously - her Christmas tree takes hours to put together and it is a work of art.
While I inherited her Christmas spirit, I don't have the finesse that she does when it comes to decorating, so my decorations tend to be more simple. That doesn't mean I don't like creating pretty things, though! Today's tutorial for drying citrus slices is just the thing if your holiday season decorating speed is more low-key.
There are two different options for drying your citrus slices; the oven or with a food dehydrator. With both methods, you’ll want to keep an eye on everything during the process because smaller slices will dry quicker than larger ones.
✂️ Supplies Needed
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- Citrus Fruit like fresh oranges, clementines, blood oranges or even grapefruit
- Dehydrator or Baking Sheets and Cooling Racks
- Cutting Board and Serrated Knife or Mandoline Slicer
What kind of citrus can you dry?
For dried orange slices for ornaments, you can choose one type of citrus or a mix. Shown here you’ll find Navel oranges, Blood oranges, and Clementines.
- Navel Oranges
- Grapefruit
- Cara Cara Oranges
- Clementines
- Blood Oranges
- Limes
- Lemons
- Kumquats
There are so many options though, consider including Grapefruits of different sizes and colors along with Cara Cara oranges that are a little bit pink inside.
Limes and Kumquats make very small slices but look so pretty when you mix them with the larger slices.
How thick do you slice fruit for drying?
The size of the fruit will dictate the thickness of your slices. For example, smaller fruits can be cut in ¼-inch circles, while larger fruits should be about ½-inch thick.
It is important to keep the slices about the same thickness. Having uniform circles will help during the drying process.
Slicing Tip: For even slices, use a mandoline slicer.
📝Instructions
Jump to Printable Project CardThis is meant to be a brief overview of how to make dehydrated orange slices. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable tutorial with materials, please scroll down to the teal box below.
🍊 Dehydrated Orange Slices
Before starting read through the instructions for your food dehydrator as machines vary. Although this did take longer than the oven method, I’m really happy with how well the slices maintained their original coloring.
- Start by cutting the citrus into thin slices approximately ¼ to ½ inch circles, depending on the type of fruit.
- To remove excess moisture, place the slices onto paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth and gently press.
- After that, arrange the slices onto the dehydrator racks.
- Set the dehydrator to 130-degrees F and dry for 9 hours. (Be sure to check your specific machine for temperature and drying time.
🍊 Oven Dried Orange Slices
Absolutely, you may not have the same results as using the dehydrator, however.
- Preheat your oven to 200 degrees F.
- Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and set wire racks on top.
- Cut the fruit into thin slices approximately ¼ to ½ inch circles, depending on the type of fruit.
- Place the slices onto paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth and gently press with another paper towel to remove some of the moisture.
- After that, arrange the slices on cooling racks in a single layer that fit into baking trays.
- Depending on how many slices and the thickness and diameter, plan on drying them for a long time - about 2 to 3 hours.
- Keep a close eye on them after the two-hour mark and remove from the oven before they start to brown.
- Remove the baking sheet and let cool before handling the dehydrated oranges.
Tips for drying in the oven:
- You can put two or three trays in the oven at once, just plan on a bit more time with the addition of each tray.
- Try keeping slices that are similar in size on trays together as smaller slices will dry faster than thicker slices.
- Do not crowd the trays; more air circulation will help the citrus dry faster.
- Rotate the tray(s) each hour so that the slices dry evenly.
How to Make Dried Orange Slice Ornaments
This is a fantastic project for kiddos to help out with and they make lovely winter gifts!
- Once the slices are completely dry, use a thin ribbon, string or baker's twine, and a cinnamon stick.
- Tie a loop at the top for hanging.
- After that, loop the string around the cinnamon stick and one of the openings on the slices.
- Tie tight to secure.
These would look so lovely with Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments, too!
How do you use orange slices for decorations?
Once your slices are slightly translucent and cooled they are ready to set into your projects. Here are some ways to use citrus slices in your Christmas decorations other than making ornaments:
- Add them to garland for your mantle.
- Secure them to a balsam wreath for a pop of color.
- String them with cranberries to make festive orange garlands for your Christmas tree.
- Place the citrus wheels into different size jars for a pretty centerpiece.
- Create a bowl of homemade potpourri with dried citrus, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, small pine cones, and star anise. This is especially good for the pieces from the end of the orange.
- Add dried oranges slices to mason jars with fairy lights for a pretty centerpiece.
- Tie dried slices with a couple of bay leaves to Christmas presents.
DECORATING TIP - Floral wire works really well for adding citrus slices to wreaths and garlands.
How long will dried orange slices last?
These dried orange slices will last about 2 years of they are properly dehydrated and stored.
Be sure to keep them in a cool, dark place in an airtight container.
🎄 More Holiday Ideas
If you're looking for gift ideas, check out our Must Have Cookbooks for Collectors.
We're also all about making our own homemade bath and beauty products like scrubs, bath salts and bath bombs.
Here are a few of our favorite holiday recipes:
Free Holiday Place Cards
Download this file and customize your own Editable Place Cards, perfect for your holiday table.
Scrabble Ornaments
These cute DIY ornaments are fun to make and also make great "gift tags."
DIY Chalk Cutting Board
This is a quick and simple project that makes a lovely gift.
📋 Dehydrated Orange Slices
Not ready to make dried orange slices yet? Don’t forget to pin this project for later! When you do make it, please be sure to tag me on Instagram @jugglingactmama or #jugglingactmama – I’d love to see your pictures!
Dried Orange Slices for Ornaments
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Equipment
- Dehydrator or Baking Sheets and Cooling Racks
- Cutting Board and Sharp Knife or Mandoline
Materials
- Citrus Fruits
Instructions
- Before starting read through the instructions for your dehydrator as machines vary. Although this did take longer than the oven method, I’m really happy with how well the slices maintained their original coloring.
- Start by cutting the citrus into thin slices approximately ¼ to ½ inch circles, depending on the type of fruit.Citrus Fruits
- To remove excess moisture, place the slices onto paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth and gently press.
- After that, arrange the slices onto the dehydrator racks.
- Set the dehydrator to 130-degrees F and dry for 9 hours. (Be sure to check your specific machine for temperature and drying time.
- Once the slices are completely dry, use a thin ribbon, string or baker's twine, and a cinnamon stick.
- Tie a loop at the top for hanging.
- After that, loop the string around the cinnamon stick and one of the openings on the slices.
- Tie tight to secure.
Sara C. says
I would make these ornaments first! They're gorgeous, and I bet they smell amazing.
Melissa says
I'd love to make these ornaments! So unique and fun!
Manda B. says
Love this ornament idea! I'd also love to make dried fruit for my kids to eat 🙂
Deb Clark says
So pretty and festive! The slices look like tiny stained glass windows, beautiful!
Ang Paris says
Thanks! It's such a fun way to decorate!
Helen Evans says
I have always admired the beautiful dried fruit decorations. Thanks for this tutorial and the giveaway!
Melanie says
This is the pop of color I long for! I feel like these would also be a beautiful complement to a Thanksgiving table. I’m also a huge fan of the idea of drying herbs... I tend to buy too much!
Sarah says
I really like how those ornaments turned out with keeping their color and I bet they smell great with the cinnamon. I would love to try making homemade fruit leathers.
Sherry Blamer says
I would love to dehydrate fruit to just eat. These are cute ornaments and i bet smell great.
Kelly D says
I would make dried apples and strawberries.
Will G says
I would make jerky.
Maryann says
That is so gorgeous!!!!
Ang Paris says
Well, thank you! ❤
harolde says
I honestly never thought of using a dehydrator for ornaments! I always thought of a dehydrator for food purposes. Awesome ideas!
Tami Lewis says
Looking at how pretty the dried oranges with cinnamon sticks tied onto them look, I decided to make some for my daughter in law.
Austin H. says
Never thought of drying oranges for ornaments. They look really nice. I want to make some banana chips first and then try jerky.
Edye says
The ornaments turned out great! I'd make these and dried banana! :]
Natosha says
I would love to make dried fruit and my own jerky if possible. I like to avoid chemicals that are in many store-bought items. Plus I need to control salt intake. Thanks for the ideas!
Cindy Peterson says
I am pleasantly surprised the dried fruit ornaments can last up to two years.
Sarah says
Love the ornaments. I would love to make dried fruit myself but have only bought it from the store.
Heidi says
Wow. I would have never thought to make ornaments with a dehydrator. They would be the first thing I would make. Fruit leathers would be the second.
Elle says
I would make lots of dried fruit to eat. Delicious.
Robin M says
I'd dry some starfruit from my tree
Carla Moschetti says
I read your article, and I'd make those cute orange ornaments for starters, then I'd move on to foods like kale chips!
Nickie says
I never thought about using dried fruit as ornaments, a great idea.
Lisa says
These are beautiful! I bet the cinnamon and citrus smells amazing. I would love to do something similar!
Ellen B says
I would love to make apple chips
Sandy Bonesteel says
I read the article because I had a dehydrator once; many years ago. I would love to have a dehydrator again. There are so many things that I would use the dehydrator for; but the first things that I would make are dried fruits for snacks (especially bananas and watermelon), and dried vegetables for future meals.
athena graeme says
These are a lot faster than the old ones. 2 or 3 hours is great to dry out fruit, my mom had one 20 years ago that was almost double that time or at least it felt that way when I was a kid waiting for dried strawberry chips! The first thing I'd make is strawberry and banana chips for my daughter.
bn100 says
orange slides to a balsam wreath would be festive
would dry some grapegruit
Steve Weber says
I would make a variety of dried fruits - dried apricots are my favorite.
Tiffany S says
I would make venison jerky with the dehydrator.
Geena says
I would make the Cranberry Orange Bread with your recipe. Plus, I am going to dry some oranges and other fruits.
Thank you for the giveaway
Jessica Chiou says
I'd love to make the orange ornaments, especially with my nephews as it does look like a fun project for kids! I also think it would be a cute little gift to add on top of a present.
Stacey Culp says
i love the idea of the orange slices on the mantle with the garland. It makes me wonder if it retains any of the smell as you pass by.
Tyler G says
Definitely some dehydrated fruit. It's just way too expensive to buy store bought.
Dawn Jozwiak says
I would make dried mango and blueberries! I LOVE these ornaments, they are so cute!
Elicia P says
Well, I know that now I can use my oven to dehydrate. Oranges I actually never thought to do but apples. I think I am going to try that.
Rhonda H. says
Festive and fun!
Chris L says
I usually just dry herbs from the garden. The ornaments are really neat. I bet they make the room smell good too.
Amanda says
Apple chips!
carol clark says
id make some banana chips and i loved the post great read
Mandi Smith says
my family loves to buy beef jerky so I would love to make homemade Jerky
Heather D says
I love the dehydrator. I would make pork jerky for my husband.
Erin says
I would never think to use food for decorations. I would use it to make dried fruit snacks to take to work and for my son to take with him when he goes out.
Wendy McBride says
Wow! How cool that you can actually make ornaments like this that last so long. I would love to make some dried fruits to eat like strawberries and bananas. There are so many great ideas for dehydrating foods on pinterest and YouTube now. I can't wait to try a dehydrator out and hope I win it!
Michelle Landry says
I think the ornaments are lovely! However, the first thing I would make with the dehydrator is sliced Roma tomato chips with parmesan and garlic sprinkled on. I make that in the oven from time to time...but do it in the oven and that's a bit of a chort.
Mary Gardner says
I like that the fruit done in the dehydrator kept their color even though it took longer. I would love to make banana chips.
donna porter says
The ornaments are a wonderful idea and sure they smell great. What gets me is they last two years!
My husband and I have been trying our best to eat healthy. With this dehydrator I could make us some dried fruit to eat as well as some beef and chicken jerky.