How To Make Dehydrated Oranges Slices For Decorations

Step 1: Supplies for Dehydrating Oranges

Start with fresh oranges. The type of orange you choose does make a difference. These are Jaffa oranges which are almost seedless oranges and therefore have fewer holes. 

Navel oranges are also a good choice for this project. And blood oranges with red inside create a different look. The contrast between the red and orange colours when paired together is beautiful.

Step 2: What Size to Cut Oranges for Drying

Use a sharp knife to thinly slice them. A serrated knife is the easiest way to slice the orange pieces without squashing the shape.

The slices should be quite thin (about 1cm or .5 in). But more important than the exact thickness of the slices is that they are consistent in size. If it is much thinner at one end then it won’t dry evenly. 

Also pay attention to the slices being a similar thickness, in general. This will help them dry in the same timeframe in the oven. 

It may help to use a mandoline slicer which will create the same-sized thin slices for you.

Step 3: How to Prep Oranges Before Dehydrating

The next step is to remove as much of the moisture from the oranges as possible. This will reduce the time that they’ll need to be in the oven.

Use a paper towel to pat the excess moisture out. If you have a paper towel on the bottom and the top, it will speed up the process.

Step 4: How to Make Dehydrated Oranges in the Oven

Next, you can use either a wire rack or parchment paper to help dry the orange.

Using a wire rack helps the heat to get to both sides of the oranges at the same time. If using parchment paper, add that to the top of a baking sheet.

Lay the oranges out in a single layer. If they’re overlapping at all then the areas underneath won’t dry evenly.

The temperature to dry orange slices should be about 90°c or 194°F.

As ovens vary, there is some flexibility in the temperature. But you want to dry the slices for several hours on a low heat. This dries them slowly and thoroughly.

If the oven is too hot, they will burn before drying.

Step 5: How Long Does it Take to Dehydrate Oranges?

These oranges took 4-5 hours to fully dry.

You can tell they are dried out because the flesh is no longer sticky or soft. But if there is a little squishiness left in them, they will finish drying at room temperature on a cooling rack over the next day or so.

It may take more than 4-5 hours to dry the oranges fully. It depends on the oven temperature and thickness of the orange slices.

But with regularly checking and flipping the slices, you should be able to see when they’re ready.

Step 6: Storing the Dried Oranges 

If stored properly, the dried oranges should last for years. This should be in an airtight container like a mason jar, ziploc bag or Tupperware container.

The important thing is that air doesn’t get to the oranges.

Step 1: Snowman Dried Orange Decoration

For the snowman decoration, you need two oranges, one bigger than the other.

Firstly, attach a length of ribbon across the top of one of them and down the side. This is the scarf. Add this before securing the oranges together so that they sit under the orange that is the head.

Next, use hot glue to attach the head and body. It’s best to glue the rims of the orange, as it is flatter so will attach more easily.

Step 2: Adding Details to Dried Orange Snowman

You can be creative with the supplies you use for the eye, buttons and nose.

I used raisins for the buttons and peppercorns for the mouth. Then black paper and paint for the eyes. Then you can add a black hat with a sash made from the same ribbon as the scarf. 

Finally, you can choose to attach arms with either real sticks or cinnamon sticks. 

How adorable as these orange slice snowmen?

Step 1: Making a Fox Orange Slice Decoration

These foxes are so easy to make and look pretty.

Firstly, choose one of the dried slices in a round shape. Then get a second slice for the ears.

A partial one works great if you have a failed slice. I had this when the knife I used wasn’t sharp enough so it squashed the orange.

Firstly make smaller pieces for the ears by cutting two triangle shapes. The segments naturally divide so should be easy to cut the same size for both ears.

To attach the ears, glue them with the single point facing up.

Step 2: Paint the Fox’s Face

Next, you need white paint or paint pens to add colour to the face. Paint two almost-semi circles from the top third of the face down to the bottom. Leave a space between the semi-circles so that they don’t touch.

Finally, add a dab of black paint at the bottom for the nose. Then two little eyes near the top of the white sections.

So easy and so pretty. This design takes a few minutes.

Using natural elements in your festive decor always feels so rustic and calming.