Zesty Homemade Dried Orange Slices Recipe for Sweet Treats

Crafting dried orange slices brings a burst of citrusy magic to your kitchen.

These vibrant, sun-kissed dried orange slices transform ordinary snacks into gourmet delights.

Dehydrating oranges concentrates their natural sweetness and creates a versatile ingredient for baking, garnishing, or enjoying as a standalone treat.

The process is surprisingly simple and requires minimal equipment.

Bakers and food enthusiasts love how these delicate, translucent slices can elevate both sweet and savory dishes.

A handful of dried orange slices can add a sophisticated touch to cocktails, teas, and desserts.

Embark on this delightful culinary adventure and unlock a world of zesty, aromatic possibilities.

Tools To Slice And Dry Orange Slices At Home

• Sharp Knife: Essential for slicing oranges into uniform, thin rounds.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for safely slicing oranges.
• Baking Sheet: Flat pan to hold orange slices during drying process.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat: Prevents slices from sticking and makes cleanup easy.
• Tongs or Spatula: Helpful for flipping orange slices during baking.
• Airtight Container: Perfect for storing dried orange slices after cooling.

Steps To Make Dried Orange Slices Crisp And Bright

• Oven Warmup

Cozy your kitchen with a gentle oven warmth, setting the temperature low and inviting. Line a baking tray with a soft protective layer.

• Citrus Medallions

Grab plump, vibrant oranges and create delicate, translucent circles with smooth, consistent edges. Each slice should whisper of summer’s golden glow.

• Tray Arrangement

Spread orange rounds across the tray like colorful puzzle pieces, ensuring no slice touches another. Space creates magic in the drying process.

• Slow Baking Journey

Slide the tray into the oven’s embrace. Watch as oranges gradually transform, turning from juicy to crystalline. Gently flip each slice every hour, allowing even dehydration and rich color development.

• Preservation

Once oranges reach a leathery, translucent state, remove from oven. Let them rest and cool completely. Tuck these sunshine-infused slices into a sealed container, ready to sprinkle magic into future culinary adventures.

Ideas To Use Dried Orange Slices Creatively

• Slice Precision: Use a sharp mandoline or serrated knife to create consistently thin orange slices, ensuring uniform drying and professional-looking results.
• Flavor Boost: Lightly dust orange slices with ground cinnamon or vanilla sugar before drying for an extra aromatic twist that enhances their natural sweetness.
• Dehydrator Alternative: If you prefer, use a food dehydrator set at 135F for 6-8 hours as a more energy-efficient method for drying orange slices.
• Dietary Adaptations: These dried orange slices work perfectly for vegan, gluten-free, and paleo diets, making them a versatile decoration for desserts, drinks, and holiday crafts.
• Preservation Trick: For longer storage, place dried orange slices in a vacuum-sealed bag or add a food-grade silica gel packet to absorb moisture and extend their shelf life up to 3 months.

Serving Dried Orange Slices For Snacks Or Decor

• Festive Table Centerpiece: Create a stunning holiday display by arranging dried orange slices between candles and evergreen branches for a warm, rustic centerpiece that delights guests.
• Natural Home Decor: Hang the dried orange slices on a decorative string or wire to craft a beautiful garland that adds a charming, citrusy touch to windows, mantels, or walls.
• Culinary Garnish Magic: Elevate cocktails, desserts, and savory dishes by using these dried orange slices as elegant garnishes that bring a burst of citrus flavor and visual appeal to your culinary creations.
• Aromatic Gift Topper: Attach a dried orange slice to gift wrapping with twine or ribbon for a sophisticated, natural embellishment that adds a delightful citrus scent and decorative flair.

Storing Dried Orange Slices So They Stay Crisp

Keep dried orange slices in a cool, dark pantry in sealed glass jars to maintain their vibrant color and crisp texture.

• Decorative Display: Showcase your handcrafted orange slices in clear mason jars or hanging wire baskets, creating a stunning kitchen decor element that doubles as a delicious treat.
• Moisture Management: Add a small silica gel packet inside storage containers to absorb excess humidity and prevent potential mold growth, extending the slices' shelf life.
• Flavor Extension: Freeze dried orange slices in zip-lock freezer bags for up to 3 months, which helps retain their intense citrus flavor and prevents potential staleness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 34 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes 4 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 30 kcal

Servings: 33

Dried Orange Slices Ingredient List

• Orange: Vibrant and zesty fruit that creates beautiful, translucent decorative slices perfect for garnishing and crafting.

• Parchment Paper: Non-stick surface ensures easy removal and prevents orange slices from sticking during drying process.
• Silicone Baking Mat: Reusable alternative to parchment paper, providing even heat distribution and easy cleanup.

• Baking Sheet: Flat surface that allows uniform air circulation and consistent drying of orange slices.
• Oven: Controlled environment for gentle, steady dehydration of citrus fruit at low temperature.

Vibrant Dried Orange Slices Recipe

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• Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes 4 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 33 1x

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Description

Homemade dried orange slices elevate culinary experiences with Mediterranean charm. Citrus enthusiasts can easily create these delicate, translucent garnishes for desserts, cocktails, and seasonal decorations.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 34 oranges (navel, Valencia, or blood oranges)
• 1 wire rack
• 1 baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• 1 mandoline slicer (optional)
• 1 sharp knife

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Thoroughly wash oranges under cool water, eliminating any external residue or protective wax layer.
2. Slicing: Meticulously cut oranges into delicate, uniform translucent rounds using a sharp mandoline, maintaining consistent 1/8-inch thickness to ensure balanced dehydration.
3. Arrangement: Distribute orange medallions across a parchment-lined baking sheet, positioning slices with minimal spacing to facilitate optimal heat circulation and even drying.
4. Oven Configuration: Position rack in center position and preheat oven to 200°F, creating a gentle, controlled environment for moisture extraction.
5. Dehydration Process: Place prepared baking sheet in preheated oven, rotating sheet and flipping slices every hour to guarantee uniform drying and prevent potential texture inconsistencies.
6. Monitoring: Observe transformation over 3-4 hours, checking for subtle edge curling and leathery, flexible texture with no visible moisture – indicating complete dehydration.
7. Cooling and Storage: Remove baking sheet, allowing slices to cool completely at room temperature, then transfer to an airtight, opaque glass container stored in a dark, cool pantry for optimal preservation up to two weeks.

Notes

• Slice Thickness Matters: Maintain precise 1/8-inch thickness for consistent dehydration and uniform texture throughout each orange slice.
• Temperature Control is Critical: Keep oven temperature steady at 200°F to prevent burning and ensure gentle moisture extraction without caramelization.
• Rotate for Even Drying: Flip slices every hour to prevent uneven dehydration and guarantee uniform leathery texture across all pieces.
• Storage Preservation Technique: Use airtight glass container in cool, dark space to extend shelf life and maintain crisp, vibrant citrus quality for maximum two weeks.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 34 hours
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 33
• Calories: 30
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 0mg
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg