How to Dry Citrus Slices & Creative Uses for Them
During the Great Depression, citrus fruit was considered a luxury and you were lucky if you got one in your Christmas stocking! Today, it’s fun to decorate with dried orange slices (and other citrus). I’m sharing how to dry citrus slices including oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit and more because each one needs a different drying time to achieve perfect results. Then it’s on to the fun part … I’m sharing some of my favorite creative ways to decorate and use your citrus slices.
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How to Dry Citrus Slices
- Preheat your oven to 200 degrees.
- Using a very sharp or serrated knife (or a mandolin like this one to ensure perfect slices), cut the citrus into 1/4″ thick slices. You don’t want them to be too thick (they won’t fully dry and will become moldy) or too thin (they may crumble).
- Place the citrus slices on a cookie drying rack placed on a cookie sheet. This allows the air to circulate so they dry faster.
- Place the citrus slices in the oven and let them roast for several hours.
- Check on them every hour or so and rotate cookie sheets if you have them on more than one rack.
- The citrus is ready when the peel turns a deep golden orange/brown and they don’t feel sticky to the touch. Make sure no moisture remains or they will get moldy.
- Your citrus slices should last for years. When they begin to discolor, toss them and make some new ones!
Citrus Roasting Times
My friend has roasted all kinds of citrus and these are the approximate roasting times in a 200 degree oven. Be sure to check your citrus every hour or so and rotate cookie sheets every couple of hours if necessary.
Oranges: 5 1/5 to 6 hours
Lemons: 4 to 5 hours
Limes: 4 to 5 hours
Blood Oranges: 6 to 7 hours
Grapefruits: 8 to 9 hours
If you don’t want to do it yourself, you can always buy dried citrus slices …
Once your citrus is dried, there are tons of things you can do with them. See some of my favorites below.
This tree looks like it was plucked straight from the forest with ornaments to match the natural theme. I love the old fashioned popcorn and cranberry garlands paired with the orange slice ornaments.
Natural Orange Slice Christmas Tree Ornaments
Decorate a store bought or box cake with dried orange slices and star anise for a show stopping dessert.
I am head over heels in love with this lush garland layered with beads, pinecones and ribbon.
Lush Orange Slice Christmas Garland
It’s all about the presentation and adding an orange slice to a gift takes it to the next level.
Float a citrus slice in any cocktail (or cup of tea) to elevate it like this especially festive one.
Blood Orange Gin Sour Cocktail
This centerpiece is good enough to eat! I love the way the dried orange slices look scattered among the little cake gingerbread houses with fresh eucalyptus and dried hydrangeas.
Orange Slice and Gingerbread House Centerpiece
This asymmetry of this orange slice wreath gives it a more modern look. If you don’t want to make your own, this fresh evergreen and dried citrus wreath is stunning.
I love that drying citrus slices is such an inexpensive way to add festive cheer and nostalgia to your holiday home.
Thank you for sharing this with us! You always gave such great content!
You’re too kind Lisa!
Thank you Kelly. I would not have thought to put them on my cookie drying rack for good circulation, this makes sense. The dried citrus fruit pairs nicely with anise stars and cinnamon sticks. I love the natural effect they give a home.
Me too Kelly! I just added some orange slices to my front door wreath!
Thanks Kelly, i knew about oranges, although these directions are more thorough. I like the idea of using other fruits too and the ideas are much appreciated.
Plus the house smells amazing Marlene!
Hello, I love your fabulous ideas and recipes. I was wondering can you make the dried fruit that you have studded with cloves? I was thinking of making dried orange slices to use instead of the entire Orange. That way I could put several together at different lengths for people to hang in their closets. Do you think the cloves would stay in the slices or fallout? Thank you so much. Sincerely
Renee
I’m not sure Renee since I’ve never tried it but give it a go!
My cloves usually fall out but a drop of Aileens Tacky Glue sets them to rights.