When it comes to how to dehydrate oranges, there are a number of methods you can use. There are also many possible uses for dehydrated oranges, which we cover in this article as well. So let’s get right to the point!

No matter which method of dehydration you choose for dehydrating oranges, you’ll need to do a bit of prep work first.

How to Dehydrate Oranges

Choose oranges that are at the peak of their freshness. You don’t want an unripe orange, nor do you want one that is getting mushy and overripe.

• RINSE the whole oranges first to remove any dust and debris.
• DRY: Pat the orange exterior dry using a clean cloth or paper towels. Do not dry oranges once they’re cut.
• SLICE the oranges to be 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Thinner oranges dry faster, but some people prefer thicker, heavier slices. Whichever size you decide on, try to make all of the slices uniform in size, so they dry at the same speed. You do not need to discard the ends; while a bit crunchier, they can still be dried and later enjoyed too.
• DESEED: If the orange slices have large seeds in the center, gently remove them. You can turn  orange and grapefruit seeds into a homemade disinfectant.
• JUICY: Again, as mentioned above, don’t press, squeeze or attempt to pat the slices for you don’t want to remove the flavorful juice. The liquids will dehydrate into the slices during, so don’t rob yourself of any of the delicious and nutritious juice by trying to speed up the drying process.
• SUGAR? We don’t add sugar because dehydrated oranges are plenty sweet plus healthier without it. However some people like to sprinkle each orange slice with cane sugar or other sugar such as coconut, date or maple sugar, both of which will give the slices a classic darker dried orange appearance. You can also add honey or maple syrup. The honey adds a nice quality for use in teas, especially herbal teas for cold and flu.
• DONE! You’ll know when the oranges are done. Fully dehydrated oranges and citrus aren’t sticky or tacky to touch and are firm and even crunchy, with little to no pliability.

Fully dehydrated oranges and other citrus should not feel wet at all once completely dehydrated, no matter which method you use.

How to Dehydrate Oranges in the Oven

Preheat Oven

To dehydrate oranges in the oven, start by preheating your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit / 93.3 degrees Celsius. Use bake or convection bake, if you have it.

Baking Sheet and Parchment Paper

Get out a baking sheet and parchment paper if you’d like to help prevent sticking and minimize cleanup. This is especially helpful if using sugar or honey on the oranges, but that’s optional.

I have not used parchment paper for dehydrating oranges, and have never had an issue with oranges sticking to the baking sheets. But others may have different experience, and especially if using sugar, honey or syrup on the orange slices.

Place Orange Slices on Baking Sheet/s

Place the orange slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. They can be close together and even touching, because as soon as the dehydration process begins, the fruit will soon start shrinking in size.

Best not to overlap the slices though as you may experience delays and unevenness in dehydration in those spots, and it can even lead to mold. As long as they’re not overlapping — which can slow the drying process — lightly touching is fine to start.

Depending on the thickness of the slice and the size of the oranges you used, you should be able to fit two or three oranges per standard-size baking sheet. If you’re left with half spaces, you can also stretch your drying capacity a little by cutting a batch of orange slices in half and placing those in the narrow margins.

Allow the oranges to bake dry in the oven for about four-eight hours, depending on how thick your slices are. I flip mine once an hour, but I believe once every two to three hours is also fine.

If you’re using a convection setting on the oven, they may not require flipping at all, or maybe just once, about halfway through. Open the oven door at least once every thirty minutes to check on the oranges and allow some of the moisture to escape.

When dehydrating oranges in the oven, open the door every half hour to allow any moisture to escape.

How to Dehydrate Oranges in an Air Fryer

Air fryers are surprisingly effective at dehydrating foods, especially oranges.

Place your oranges onto the air fryer shelves. They should be almost touching but not quite to encourage air circulation. If the oranges are dripping wet, give them five minutes or so to stop dripping before loading the shelves into the air fryer.

Fry the oranges for three hours at 130 degrees Fahrenheit. With an air fryer, there is no need to flip the oranges while they are dehydrating. Once the orange slices are firm and crunchy or stiff to the touch, they are finished and ready to be stored away.

How to Dehydrate Oranges in a Food Dehydrator

Gently arrange the orange slices on the dehydrator trays, not allowing the slices to directly touch one another.

If the oranges are dripping wet, give them five minutes to drip the excess over a towel or into your sink. Place the dehydrator’s trays into the dehydrator.

Set the dehydrators to 135 degrees Fahrenheit, and leave the oranges to dry for approximately two to three hours. If the slices are 1/8 inch thick, it will only be two to three hours. If the slices are 1/4 inch thick, it may take six or seven hours for the drying process to complete.

How to Dehydrate Oranges in Oven Without Losing Bright Colors

If you love the bright, vibrant, colorful shades of oranges (and other citrus fruits), then consider starting your oranges in the oven and then finishing the drying process in the open air.

Place the oranges in the oven, as directed above, but turn the oven off after it has reached 200 degrees Fahrenheit and leave the oven door open. The oranges will partially dry but not completely. You may then leave the oranges in the off-oven overnight, place them on wire cooling racks, or hang them on a string to complete the dehydration process. The slower the drying happens, the more vibrant colors the oranges will retain.

How long it takes for the oranges to dry completely depends on your home and your climate’s humidity. If you live in a tropical area in a humid home, this method may not work. If you live in a dry area and have a burning wood stove in your home, this process could be almost as quick as using a dehydrator machine.

How to Dehydrate Oranges Without a Dehydrator

If you want to dehydrate oranges without an oven, dehydrator, or air fryer, you can do that too.

Either place the oranges on a baking sheet and flip them several times throughout the day, place them on a wire cooling rack or string the oranges on a heavy string and allow them to air dry the natural way. It may take a few days to a few weeks for this process to work, so be patient and watch for signs of mold or mildew. If your oranges begin to mold or mildew, you should discard them to your compost pile and start over with fresh citrus.

What to Do With Dehydrated Oranges

Here are some of the best uses for dehydrated oranges.

• Eat them as a delicious dried snack
• Rehydrate the oranges to use any way you would use fresh oranges
• Use in baked goods (if you don’t rehydrate them first, they will have a pleasant crunch, which many people enjoy)
• Use as garnish, especially in drinks (apple cider with oranges)
• Add ti mulling spices
• Make teas of all kinds, especially herbal teas
• Create rich marinades, especially for chicken and fish
• Ground up to make powder, perfect for subtle use in soups, stews, salads, and baked goods.
• Ground up and added to salt. You can make a citrus salt, or even add in other dried herbs like thyme or rosemary.
• Create infusions– you can mix the dry oranges with olive oil, leave for a week or two, and then use this orangey-olive oil to make a salad dressing, cooking ingredient, or even a body massage oil
• Add into decorative candles, scrubs, or soaps
• Toss the oranges into an aromatic simmer pot to have a powerfully fresh-smelling house (I like to combine orange slices, sprigs of cedar, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, vanilla beans, a bay leaf, and apple slices)
• Use dried oranges as potpourri
• String the oranges up to make gorgeous holiday garlands or tree ornaments

Can You Eat Dehydrated Oranges?

Yes, dehydrated oranges are great for eating and snacking. You can fully or partially rehydrate them in water first or eat them as a delectable crunchy treat. Think of them as perfectly flavorful, tart, and tangy chips.

Dried Orange Slices for Cocktails and Other Beverages

Dehydrated oranges are the perfect addition to cocktails, mocktails, and mulled spice drinks.

Drop the entire slice inside the drink, tastefully slice a side and slip it onto the edge of the glass, or grind it into a powder and sprinkle this powder atop the drink. Blood oranges are probably the best candidate for this, though any citrus will do. You can also dehydrate limes and add them to daiquiris, martinis, mojitos, and margaritas.

How to Use Dehydrated Oranges for Decorations

Oranges are perfect for natural winter decoration items. They add a lovely pop of orange, yellow, and red to the displays and add an element of visual warmth to the space. They are commonly used in these areas as decoration:

• On evergreen garlands and wreaths. Oranges pop against the rich greens of evergreen cuttings. Garland can decorate doorways, dormers, stair banisters, window frames, ceilings, walls, porches, and more. Wreaths are often used on windows and doors. Citrus looks especially beautiful next to natural wooden elements like wooden beads or pinecones, red cranberries, dried apples, and even dried seed pods.
• As ornaments. Run a string or simple hook through the orange slice, and then place the orange slices on your tree. It will take about two or three oranges to appropriately cover a six-foot tree.
• As strands of garland. You can string dehydrated orange slices together to make a beautiful and natural garland for your tree. As a bonus, it will smell incredibly delicious when placed on a live tree (which always smells excellent). You can also string this garland on a mantle, hang it from doorways, or drape it in front of windows. Dry oranges look very beautiful when the sunlight shines through them.
• Centerpieces – add these to centerpiece arrangements for the the dining table.
• Garnish on plates or in beverages as an edible garnish. If you set the orange slices on dinner plates before your holiday dinners, your guests can enjoy a healthy snack while they wait for the main course to finish cooking.
• Potpourri – create an aromatic one for your home. Orange slices smell as wonderful as they look, so they are dual-purpose in the best way.

How to Store Dried Orange Slices

The best way to store dried orange slices is in a sealable glass jar in a cool dark space.

Airtight containers are also a preferable choice, so plastic bags are also an option, but the plastic may leach trace amounts of taste or smell into the oranges in a way that glass jars will not.

Dried fruits are recommended for storage for four months to a year for the best quality. They can be stored for longer and still be safe, but they will lose more nutritional content and flavor as time progresses. The optimal condition is 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If oranges are exposed to higher temperatures during storage, they should be stored for a shorter period of time.

Dried fruits can last much longer than a year or two if they are frozen in a deep freezer, so long as they are not exposed to moisture.