Learn how to make dried oranges for Christmas decoration that is eco-friendly and biodegradable not to mention smells amazing. There are some edible uses for them too.
Quick look at Dried Orange Slices For Christmas
- ⏲️ 5 mins hands-on time.
- 🛒 Ingredients: Just 1!
- 🍽️ Makes: As many as you like.
- 🧑🍳 Difficulty: Easy - just need to use a knife.
- 🗃️ Make ahead: Keep for months in an air-tight container.
Every year I theme my Christmas wrapping.
To me, nothing makes my Christmas-loving heart more joyful than the sight a whole lot of matching presents under the tree.
Ok so there’s the joy of my kids on Christmas morning but you already know that’s high on my priority list, matching presents are my own personal thing.
This year, I learned how to dry orange slices and used them to decorate the presents for an eco-friendly, biodegradable decoration.
I’m doing my best to create as little waste as possible at Christmas and that includes with the wrapping.
It was a given that I’d use brown paper (check out my ideas for Christmas wrapping with brown paper for more inspiration) but I wasn’t too sure what I’d add until a week or so ago but the almost-past-their-best oranges lurking in my fruit drawer inspired me.
I added a sprig of rosemary from my giant rosemary bush and tied the package with cotton garden twine I picked up from Bunnings.
For the card, I printed some of my Christmas watercolour paintings and cut them up into gift tags (also available as printable watercolour Christmas gift tags).
The dried oranges were pretty ridiculously easy to make but just took a little while in the oven. If you have a dehydrator they can be done in that too.
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What You Need
To make dehydrated orange slices there are no fancy ingredients. All you will need is:
- oranges
- a sharp knife
- an oven with oven racks or a dehydrator
How To Dry Orange Slices For Christmas
There are two different ways you can make dried oranges. You can use a baking rack in the oven or complete the drying process using the dehydrator method. Follow to step 5 for both methods.
Step 1 - Wash the oranges & sharpen your knife (trust me it makes it much easier to get even slices).
Step 2 - Slice off the ends.
Step 3 - Don't throw out the ends. I finely slice them and dehydrate them too. They're delicious in tea.
Step 4 - Slice the oranges to about 2mm thick rounds.
Step 5 - Place the sliced fruit on the dehydrator trays in a single layer. If using the oven - place the slices on an oven rack.
Step 6 - Dehydrate at 160F (the highest temp for your dehydrator) for 7-9 hours or until completely dried. If using the oven, bake for 2-3 hours (or until completely dried) at 120C fan-forced.
This part is really important – if they’re not completely dry with no excess moisture they’ll stain your paper if you're using them on wrapping or they'll go mouldy. Let them cool completely then store in an airtight container until you're going to use them.
How To Know They're Dry
The best way to test if your oranges are dehydrated properly is the 'snap' test. If it give a really good snap when you break it in half it's ready. If not, back in the dehydrator/oven it goes.
FAQs
You can use any type of fresh oranges you can get your hands on. Navel oranges are probably the most common.
Also choose depending on the size you'd like your finished product to be.
My first thought would be no because it wouldn't fit much in it but if you just want to do an orange or two, you can absolutely dehydrate oranges in the air fryer.
Just line the basket with parchment paper & pre-heat to 180C.
Lay in a single layer and dry for about 60-90 minutes flipping every 30 mins. You may need to pat-dry the slices with paper towel before drying if they're really juicy.
I personally haven't tried this method but apparently you can dry orange slices in the microwave. Here's how.
You can do this with any sort of fruit you like.
Other citrus fruits also work well as Christmas decoration.
A combination of lemon, lime & orange looks very festive.
Blood oranges look really cool too if you can get it in the holiday season.
Apples cut horizontally so they have a star in the middle are also pretty but they will brown.
Citrus fruits will darken as they dry out. If they are starting to turn too dark though, your oven may be too hot. Turn it down a little.
Uses For Dried Oranges
Decorative
Decorating gifts with dehydrated oranges is a great way to use them but they can also be used in lots of other decorative ways.
It's so lovely to add natural elements to holiday decor and a fun way to add a festive touch without breaking the bank.
Orange garland
One of the easiest ways to use them decoratively is to make a dried citrus garland by threading dry oranges or citrus slices onto a piece of twine.
When I made mine, I alternated with wooden beads.
Orange and cinnamon garland/decorations
Another idea for a Christmas garland is to alternate orange ornaments with cinnamon sticks.
These can be used as long hanging garlands or make Christmas decorations for the Christmas tree by threading just two onto twine leaving a loop at the top.
In the pic above, a small star cookie cutter was used to cut some orange peel. It was then dehydrated with the slices.
Star anise looks lovely with citrus slices too.
Christmas wreaths
Use a wire coat hangar (or buy a wire round) and affix the dried fruit using twine or a hot glue gun.
Add a little greenery too if you like.
Potpuri
Place citrus slices, cinnamon sicks, whole star anise and cloves in bowls for homemade potpuri & to give your house a delicious Christmas scent.
Candles
This one I haven't tested but I've seen people put dried fruit in candles and it looks so festive. Here's how to make your own candles.
Edible Uses
Here are a few ideas to use your dried orange or dried citrus in an edible way:
- Package a selection up in a glass jar or food-safe bag as holiday gifts.
- Use to top the rim of glasses as cocktail garnish.
- Dip in melted chocolate and leave to dry for a delicious treat.
- Add to a homemade tea mix - you might need to bread them up a bit.
- Stick to a naked cake for a beautiful decoration or use to top cupcakes.
How To Store Dried Oranges
If dried completely, orange slices can last for up to two years. For best results, if you have one, use a vacuum sealer to package the dried fruit for longer-term storage.
Dried oranges
Materials
- Oranges
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 120C fan-forced.
- Slice the oranges to about 2mm thick rounds.
- Place the oranges on an oven rack and bake for 2-3h or until completely dried.
- Take the rack out of the oven and allow the oranges to cool.
Claire Cameron says
Such a simple but beautiful way to decorate for Christmas and makes a great gift.