Quick and Easy Ways to Dry Orange Slices

Dried orange slices. We see them everywhere over the festive season. From drink garnishes to potpourri and Christmas decorations.

Dried oranges lend a warm, rustic feel to your Christmas decor. They are so versatile and can be used for drink garnishes, table decor, garlands, wreaths and Christmas tree decor. They are one of our top-budget Christmas decor items because they look so beautiful, but they don’t cost much at all. And the best part is that dried oranges are so easy to make and they fill your home with a warm, citrusy festive fragrance.

Drying oranges in your oven

To dry orange slices, follow these steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Slice your oranges into rounds or half-moons, about 1/4-inch thick.
3. Place the orange slices on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
4. Bake the oranges in the preheated oven for 1-2 hours or until they are dried and slightly crispy.
5. Remove the orange slices from the oven and let them cool completely before serving or storing.
6. You can store the dried orange slices in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Drying oranges in your air fryer

To dry orange slices in an air fryer, follow these steps:

1. Slice your oranges into rounds or half-moons, about 1/4-inch thick.
2. Place the orange slices in the basket of your air fryer, making sure they are not touching or overlapping.
3. Set the temperature of your air fryer to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and the timer for 30 minutes.
4. After 30 minutes, check the orange slices to see if they are dried and slightly crispy. If not, continue cooking for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until they are done to your liking.
5. Remove the orange slices from the air fryer and let them cool completely before serving or storing.
6. You can store the dried orange slices in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

We found that the Ninja Foodi worked wonders for these dried oranges made in an air fryer.

Best uses for dried orange slices in the home

Dried orange slices are becoming increasingly popular and can be used for so many different things. They are sold in shops for a good buck, but many don’t realise how easy they are to make at home. We’ve listed some uses for dried orange slices below.

• Festive drink garnish (see our non-alcoholic mulled wine recipe)
• Add flavour to marinades and festive dishes.
• Decorate cakes and desserts.
• Use as a Christmas Tree decoration
• Weave into your wreath
• Create a garland with your dried orange slices. These smell great hung up on a mantel and when hung around a window, give a beautiful stained glass effect as the light shines through the orange.
• Using them as a natural air freshener by placing them in a bowl or potpourri dish.
• Adding them to hot tea for a citrusy flavour.
• Using them as a natural insect repellent by placing them in areas where insects tend to gather.
• Crushing them and using them as a natural, citrus-scented cleaning agent.

We hope you have found this useful. Share your creations with us and let us know what you use dried orange slices for!