How to Make THE BEST Oven-Dried Orange Slices

Dried orange slices are great decorations and gifts. Use them in cocktail syrups, mugs of tea, or even on top of cupcakes. Add them to drinks, or even cocktails!

Blood oranges and navel oranges are both delicious when dried out. You should dry out the oranges as soon as possible after purchase. 

Also, Dried oranges last for years if stored in an airtight container. You need to dry them correctly. You should use the entire orange including the skin and the inside. All the orange parts are necessary for a delicious oven-dried treat.

Ingredient Notes

Use firm, fresh oranges. They are easy to slice, and you'll need fewer slices than if they were juicier. You should also try to get smaller oranges. This makes them easier to fit into the mason jars for airtight storage.

Required Tools

Dehydrating oranges is easy. You need a dehydrator or an oven. A mandolin slicer makes cutting the oranges much easier. If you do not have a mandolin slicer, a sharp knife helps. If you don't want to buy a dehydrator or an expensive mandolin slicer, you can dry oranges in your oven. I use my oven and a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

How to Dehydrate Orange Slices Using the Oven

Slice the oranges into thin strips (⅛" - ¼"). Arrange them in a single layer on the baking tray lined with parchment paper. OPTIONAL: Sprinkle the slices with brown sugar and your favorite spice. Bake them in the oven at 200 °F. for 3-4 hours, depending on the size of the slices.

Oven vs Dehydrator

I prefer to dry orange slices using an oven. However, the dehydrator makes them lighter in color and they won't burn. The dehydrator takes about two hours to dry out the oranges. The oven typically takes around four hours. In the air fryer, the oranges take 40 minutes to dry. 

Dehydrated orange peels can taste just as brighter and colorful as fresh ones. They are also very versatile. When you cook them in the oven, they can potentially turn brown and get hard. When you dry them out in the dehydrator, they stay light and juicy.

How to store dried citrus

Dried citrus fruits can last for several years after drying.

Store citrus in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Don't use plastic bags as they may cause mold growth. Use an airtight container such as a glass jar or metal tin. Keep the fruit out of direct sunlight.

Why This Recipe Works

Dehydrated oranges are great for making tea, but they're also useful for other things. You can add them to stews that call for lemon juice, and you can use them to jazz up ice water or other beverages.

Dried orange slices are a perfect match for many cocktails. They can be added to wine or used as an ingredient in syrups. Orange slices can be used to decorate gifts and to make a holiday garland. They can be used to flavor tea bags, and to dress up other gifts. They're so versatile!

Recipe FAQs

How can I make my Dried Oranges really bright and really orange?

The best way to dry oranges is to cut them into slices and then place them on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the oven at 200°F (93°C) for 4 hours. Turn off the heat but leave the door closed. Let the oranges cool completely before storing them in airtight containers.

What citrus can I dehydrate?

All citrus fruits are very delicious when dried. You should try them! Think of fruits like lemons, limes, or even grapefruits.

Why dry orange slices?

I like to eat dried orange slices because it adds a little crunch to my baked goods. When you buy dried fruits at the store, they tend to have a lot of added sugar. Drying them at home removes some of those extra calories and sugars.

What can you use dehydrated oranges slices for?

Dehydrated oranges can be used as a garnish, a decoration, in baked goods, or as a snack. 

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