A very quick craft for you – how to dry orange slices for Christmas. I love the “rustic” look of dried oranges – they are so simple and yet so cheerful and Christmassy (many more Christmas Ornament DIYs for you here).

How to Dry Orange Slices - such a wonderful traditional Christmas DIY - perfect for the upcoming festive season. Check out our top tip for drying oranges for Christmas! As well as these cute decorating ideas! — This how to dry orange slices how to was published in Nov 2011 and updated for your convenience!

I have only really had time to dry our slices and to hang them by a ribbon (I do actually think this looks quite lovely that way), but I have also selected some orange slice crafts below for you to be inspired by! Wouldn’t they be fabulous combined with some Cinnamon Ornaments too?

Once you get a hang of drying orange slices.. why not go a step further and try our DIY Orange Slice Foxes?!

Dried Orange Slices Fox Ornaments - learn tricks to keep oranges bright

Or how about a dried orange slice reindeer?

More Ornament Fun, in our downloadable eBook

Supporting the upkeep of Red Ted Art

These fabulously traditional orange slices are also included in our practical, easy to download and print out Christmas Ornament Book. Each craft is shared on one page – making the perfect worksheet print outs. Lovely to have them all in one place too!

Only $7.99 – Get yours today and keep it forever!

How long will dried orange slices last?

Dried orange slices, if stored properly can last pretty much forever. However, I find that they really darken over time. If you want a vibrant bright orange, you will need to make these annually. If darking into brown oranges is fine by you, then stored properly these can last indefinitely! The more dried orange slices are perfect for our Fox Decoration!

Can you dry orange slices in the microwave?

Believe it or not, but YES you can dry orange slices in the microwave. The process is very simple and fast than the oven. Though we still like the traditional method of using the oven. Learn more about how to dry orange slices in the microwave with Rainy Day Mum!

Can you dry Orange Slices in the Dehydrator?

Yes! Like all fruit drying that you do in the oven, you can also use a dehydrator.

How can I make my Dried Oranges really bright and really orange?

The darkness or brightness of your orange slices are all to do with drying times. If you want a lighter orange slice, you need to bake it for less long – it may still be a little sticky AND it may be susceptible to going mouldy. Also, even lightly dried orange slices WILL darken with time. So if you are after the “bright orange” look, you will need to make a fresh batch each year. As they will go a rich drak brown over time – unless of course you use chemicals, which I advise against.. Having said that, our dried orange foxes, have darkened beautifully over time and kept really well. I have kept our three little foxes hanging on a photo display in the hall way all year.

If you want a darker orange slice… dry it for longer. There is no real rule of “how many minutes”.. i would basically keep an eye on the oven and take then oranges out, when they look and feel right to you! The key thing, is that they are not too sticky and feel “mostly” dry.

So.. how do you dry out orange slices?

Time for our quick “how to make dried orange slices”! Making dried orange slices is really straight forward. All you need is oranges and an oven!

Orange Slices - how to dry orange slices tutorial - these make great ornaments or decorations/ embellishments for fall, thanks giving and Christmas. Add them as individual ornaments, garlands or to gifts!

How to Dry Orange Slices – Materials

Oranges (haha),
an oven (really?) and
a knife (of course)!
An oven rack (the big secret!)

How to Dry Orange Slices – How to

1) Slice your oranges approx 1cm wide

2) Place on a rack (if you put them on a tray they will *really* stick) in the oven at approx 120C (250F)

3) Leave for 2-3 hours. Turn 2-3 times and keep checking on them. I had to make two batches as I burnt the first lot (the oven was too hot). Turning (especially at the beginning) them will prevent them sticking from the rack.

Once cooled, add a ribbon and hang! Add fairy lights as a “back light”:

I found my were still slightly moist, but ready for crafting with and that over time they dry out completely.

Dried Orange Slices DIY

Learn how to make dried orange slices for crafting and decorating this Christmas. Easy homamde orange ornaments!

Equipment

Oranges
Oven & rack for oven
Ribbon for hanging
Sharp knife

Instructions

Slice your oranges approx 1cm wide.
Place on a rack (if you put them on a tray they will *really* stick) in the oven at approx 120C (250F)
Leave for 2-3 hours. Turn 2-3 times and keep checking on them. I had to make two batches as I burnt the first lot (the oven was too hot). Turning (especially at the beginning) them will prevent them sticking from the rack.
Once cooled, add a ribbon and hang!