Dehydrated Oranges

I recently learned that you can dehydrate oranges for the purpose of eating. I had never thought of dehydrating oranges before. It seemed almost pointless since the best part of an orange is the juice, right? Now, I add it to our dried fruit medley and they have been a great addition. Dehydrated oranges are now part of my trail mix when we go on our Nation Park trips every year and I love the smell when I add them to my Christmas potpourri.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how to dehydrate oranges and give you some ideas on how to use them. So, let’s dive in!

*Disclaimer…this post may contain affiliate links to items I love to use in my kitchen. I may receive a commission at no cost to you.

What kind of Oranges To Use?

Any variety of oranges will work just as well as another. If you (or a friend or neighbor) have an orange tree in your yard, this is the perfect way to preserve that sweet goodness that makes and orange so great.

Other citrus works well too. Lemons, limes, grapefruit and any other citrus will utilize this same method for dehydration.

How to Prepare The Oranges

Before you dehydrate the oranges, they need to be prepared for safety and speed.

To prepare the oranges, you’ll need:

Water
Mandolin (or sharp knife)
Kitchen Towel

Here are the steps:
1. Wash – Wash the oranges well. You’ll be dehydrating them with the peel on, so be sure to wash off any dirt or debris.

2. Slice – Slice the oranges with a mandolin. My mandolin has 3 thickness settings and I found the largest setting to be the best. I started on the medium setting, but the orange slices seemed too thin and came out a little uneven. If you don’t have a mandolin, thinly slice the oranges with a knife, making the slices as even as possible.

3. Dry – Pat down the orange slices with a kitchen towel. This step isn’t absolutely necessary, but can reduce drying time. No need to press on the orange slices. A simple, gentle pat down will do.

sliced oranges in the clear plastic container of a mandolin

Sliced oranges in a clear plastic container

Dehydrating

Dehydrating the oranges is really easy.

Here are the steps:
1. Spread – Spread the orange slices in a single layer on a dehydrator tray.

2. Set Temperature – Set the temperature of your dehydrator to 130°F

3. Dehydrate – The orange slices will take 8-12 hours to fully dry. Thinner slices will take the shortest amount of time. Very thick slices may take longer than 12 hours. The oranges are done when they are brittle and do not bend.

dried orange slices on a wood surface with cinnamon sticks and lavender flowers

close up of dried orange slices on a dehydrator tray

Ways To Use Dehydrated Oranges

Decoration – Dried orange slices have traditionally been used around Christmas as a decorative element on the tree or table. They also compliment wreaths really well.

Tea – Adding some chopped dried oranges to your tea as it steeps infuses a delicious flavor any time of year.

Snacking – Dried oranges are a delicious snack! This year, I’ve added them to my dried fruit mix and they make a great addition when we want something sweet.

Baking/Cooking – Add dried orange powder to any recipe that calls for orange zest. To make a powder, chop the orange slices into small pieces and grind them in a coffee grinder. I have a manual grinder that I found at an antique store and I love it! Typically, I’ll eat the inside of the orange while saving the peel to grind.

Storing Dehydred Oranges

Store your dried oranges in an airtight container for up to 12 months. I like to use mason jars and my mason jar sealer to keep them fresh as long as possible. After they are sealed, store them in a cool, dark place to extend the shelf life as long as possible.