How to Dry Orange Slices for Easy Holiday Decorating
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Dried orange slices make wonderful Christmas decorations. They can also be used as cake toppers, in homemade potpourri, or on festive wreaths. Here’s how to dry your orange slices the easy way.
If you are on a budget or love natural decor, drying orange slices is an easy way to decorate for Christmas. I love using dried oranges for Holiday garlands, tree ornaments, Christmas wreaths, food garnish, and even for gift additions like homemade potpourri and food gifts.
How do you dry orange slices?
Making dried orange slices is simple using an oven. Sure, a dehydrator can work too, but most of us don’t have one of those. By slicing navel oranges thinly and then baking the slices in an oven at a low temperature, you’ll create perfect slices every time. You can also dry other citrus fruit slices like blood orange, lemon or lime using this method.
How to Dry Orange Slices at Home
Dried orange slices make wonderful Christmas decorations. They can also be used as cake toppers, in homemade potpourri, or on festive wreaths. Here’s how to dry your orange slices the easy way.
Materials
- orange
- parchment paper
- cinnamon (optional)
- cloves (optional)
Tools
- knife
- baking sheet
Instructions
- Take the orange and slice it into 1/4" thick slices.
- Place the slices in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. For even faster-drying slices, blot the orange slices with paper towels before placing them on the cookie sheet.
- Optional: sprinkle the slices with cinnamon or cloves to create more fragrant orange slices.
- Place the sheet on a middle rack of your oven at 175 F and bake the orange slices for 2-3 hours.
- Flip the orange slices every 30 minutes for the best results.
- When the slices are completely hard and dry, they're done.
- Store the dried orange slices in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Notes
It's important to bake the slices at a very low temperature to avoid burning or warping the orange slices.
How do you store DIY dried orange slices?
For the longest lasting slices, keep them in an airtight container or Ziploc bag in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to use them.
How long will dried orange slices last?
If you dry them completely and store them properly, dried orange slices can last for years. I have some from a couple of years ago, and they still look and smell great! They don’t have any mold or discolouration.
What can I make with dried oranges?
Here are some craft ideas you can create with dried orange slices:
Orange slice garland on fairy lights to decorate a bar cart
You can create an easy garland by stringing dried orange slices on a ribbon, but what about something more sparkly? Use a dollar store strand of fairy lights and string the slices on that for a festive, simple garland. I used mine to decorate this bar cart.
Simmer pot in a jar gift idea
Place dried citrus slices, dried cranberries, pine branches, cinnamon sticks and spices in a jar with directions on how to make a simmer pot. Get this easy gift idea and free printable gift tags here.
Embellish a simple wreath from IKEA
Affixing orange slices to a plain greenery wreath can give it some much needed colour and texture for the holidays. I love how this eucalyptus wreath from IKEA looks with dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, faux berries and pinecones.
Now tell me: Have you ever tried to dry orange slices? How would you use yours?
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wow, this is really amazing ideas decorating with dry oranges slices for easy holiday . i really like this. thanks for sharing