Dehydrated orange slices are easy to make and their versatility is unmatched! Enjoy them as a tasty snack, garnish, or ingredient. Learn how to make them easily in the oven or dehydrator, and unlock all of the creative possibilities!
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The very same oranges that you use to make orange juice can be easily dehydrated. Over low heat, with minimal effort, you can have beautiful dehydrated citrus ready. Embrace the simplicity and deliciousness of dehydrated orange slice—a versatile and delightful addition to your kitchen repertoire!
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Why you’ll love these dehydrate orange slices
- Perfect for garnish – These dehydrated orange slices add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your dishes. Whether you’re garnishing cocktails, desserts, salad, or savory dishes, these vibrant and visually appealing slices are sure to impress!
- Quick to make – Just 5 minutes of active time needed, making these dehydrated orange slices a breeze.
- No dehydrator needed – You can easily make these dehydrated orange slices in the oven but I’ll show you both methods. Both techniques yield excellent results, making it accessible to anyone without special equipment.
- Edible decoration – Not only do they enhance the presentation of your dishes, but they are also completely edible! The concentrated orange flavor make them a tasty treat on their own or as part of a culinary masterpiece.
Ingredient notes
The only ingredient you need to make dehydrated orange slices are fresh oranges! Any variety of oranges can be dehydrated! Mandarin oranges, navel oranges, valencia oranges, sweet oranges, clementines, or tangerines all work great. In fact, you don’t even need oranges, you can replicate the process with any citrus fruit!
Here are some other citrus fruits that would work just as well:
- Lemons
- Limes
- Grapefruit
- Blood Oranges
- Pomelo
- Kumquats
How to dehydrate orange slices
Here are the step by step instructions for both countertop dehydrators and oven.
For both methods, you will need to wash and dry the oranges thoroughly with a lint-free towel. Then, slice oranges thinly with a sharp knife about 1/8 to 1/4-inch wide. Alternatively, you can use a mandoline slicer to keep things consistent. The thinner the slices, the faster they will dry.
By oven
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Use the convection setting if your oven has it as it will speed up the drying process.
Place the sliced oranges in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake on the center rack for 2 hours, then flip them over and continue baking for another 1-2 hours.
By dehydrator
Place orange slices on the dehydrator trays, leaving some space for air circulation and set the dehydrator to 135 degrees F.
After about 2 hours, check the food dehydrator for any thinner slices that may already be dry. Flip the orange slices and continue drying. Check every hour for doneness. Dehydrators can take up to 8 hours to fully dry orange slices.
Allow the orange slices to cool completely before storing.
How to check that the orange slices are dry
Remove the orange slices from the oven or dehydrator and allow to cool for 10 minutes. They will firm up as they dry. If you notice they are sticky or glossy, they need to dry more.
You can also test a few slices between two layers of paper towels and press down gently. If there is no transfer o moisture onto the paper towel, the slices are adequately dry.
Storage
Once your dehydrated orange slices have cooled to room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container like a mason jar.
Store in a cool, dry place like a pantry.
How to use
The versatility of dried orange slices knows no bounds! These delightful treats can be incorporated into numerous culinary creations and home decor projects. Here are some exciting ways to enjoy them:
- Healthy snack or dessert: Before drying, you can sprinkle the orange slices with sugar for a touch of sweetness. This makes for a simple yet satisfying snack or a delightful addition to your favorite dessert recipes.
- Chocolate-dipped treats: Elevate the dehydrated orange slices by dipping them into melted chocolate. The combination of citrusy tang and luscious chocolate creates a delectable treat that’s sure to please your taste buds.
- Mulling spices: Infuse your mulled beverages, like apple cider or wine, with the aromatic and citrusy essence of dehydrated orange slices. These slices add a burst of flavor and aroma, perfect for cozying up during the colder months.
- Garnish for drinks: Float these dried oranges slices on the surface of your favorite cocktails or mocktails for an eye-catching and sophisticated touch. They also make a great addition to teas or even refreshing beverages like agua frescas.
- Holiday season decor: Embrace the festive spirit by using the dehydrated orange slices as a charming Christmas tree garland. The warm hues of the orange slices will bring a touch of nature’s beauty to your holiday decorations. Slices of dehydrated oranges also look lovely tied onto holiday gifts.
- Potpourri: Infuse your home with a delightful citrusy aroma by adding the dried orange peels and slices to your potpourri mix. The natural fragrance will create a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout your living spaces.
- Orange powder: Grind dehydrated orange peels into a fine powder using a spice grinder or high speed blender. This orange powder can be used a s a natural and flavorful seasoning in a variety of dishes, from desserts to savory meals.
Tips for Success
- Don’t overcrowd the tray. It’s important that the orange slices don’t overlap at all, otherwise, it will inhibit airflow and take longer for the oranges to fully dry out.
- Remove seeds. This isn’t required but it does enhance the final look to remove the seeds before drying. Alternatively, you can opt for seedless varieties like navel oranges.
- Use firmer oranges. Firm oranges are easier to slice and don’t require as much drying time since they are less juicy.
- Adjust drying time. The thickness of the orange slices affects the drying time so adjust accordingly. Thinner slices will take less time while thicker slices will require more time.
FAQ’s
If the orange slices have been properly dried so that no moisture remains, they can last for 2 years or more. Make sure to store them in a completely airtight container like a glass jar for a long shelf life.
Yes, you can eat dehydrated orange slices! The dehydration process removes most of the moisture from the orange slices, resulting in a chewy texture and concentrated flavor. When properly prepared and stored in an airtight container, dehydrated orange slices can be safely enjoyed for years to come as a tasty snack or tasteful garnish.
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Dehydrated Orange Slices (Oven or Dehydrator)
Ingredients
- 1 navel orange firm and seedless are best
Instructions
- Wash your oranges well with cold water, then dry thoroughly with a lint-free kitchen towel or paper towel.
- Slice oranges thinly with a sharp knife about ⅛ to ¼-inch wide. Alternatively, you can use a mandoline slicer to keep things consistent. The thinner the slices, the faster they will dry.
- By oven: Preheat the oven to 200°F (90°C). Use the convection setting if your oven has it as it will speed up the drying process.
- Place the sliced oranges in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake on the center rack for 2 hours, then flip them over and continue baking for another 1-2 hours.
- By dehydrator: Place orange slices on the dehydrator trays, leaving some space for air circulation. Set the dehydrator to 135°F.
- After about 2 hours, check the food dehydrator for any thinner slices that may already be dry. Flip the orange slices and continue drying. It can take several hours for the slices to dry completely, depending on how thick you sliced them. Check them every hour for doneness. Dehydrators can take up to 8 hours to fully dry orange slices.
- Allow the orange slices to cool completely before storing.
How to check that the orange slices are dry
- Remove the orange slices from the oven or dehydrator and allow to cool for 10 minutes. They will firm up as they dry. If you notice they are sticky or glossy, they need to dry more.
Notes
- Garnish for drinks
- Dried citrus garland
- Garnish for desserts
- Healthy snack
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