Go Back Email Link
Top down image of dehydrator racks with orange slices on them.
Print Add to Collection

Dried Orange Slices for Ornaments

This is a fantastic project for kiddos to help out with and they make lovely winter gifts!
Keyword Dried Orange Slices for Ornaments
Author Ang Paris

Equipment

  • Dehydrator or Baking Sheets and Cooling Racks
  • Cutting Board and Sharp Knife or Mandoline

Ingredients

  • 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.

Notes

WHAT KIND OF CITRUS CAN YOU DRY? For dried orange slices for ornaments, you can choose one type of citrus or a mix. Navel oranges, Blood oranges, and Clementines. Navel Oranges, Grapefruit, Cara Cara Oranges, Clementines, Blood Oranges, Limes, Lemons, and 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, you might want to use a mandoline.