Simple Oven-Dried Orange Slices: Easy Homemade Gift Recipe
Learn how to make beautiful, translucent oven-dried orange slices with just two ingredients. Perfect for garnishing cocktails, teas, baked goods, or as edible gifts that last for months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 24-32 slices 1x
- Category: Garnish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 large fresh oranges (navel, blood, or cara cara)
- Optional: 1 cup water + 1 cup sugar (for simple syrup)
- Optional: Cinnamon sticks or vanilla bean (for syrup)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C).
- Wash and dry your oranges thoroughly.
- Slice the oranges evenly between 1/8 inch (3mm) and 1/4 inch (6mm) thick.
- Blot the slices with paper towels to remove excess surface moisture.
- Arrange on prepared baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone mats in a single layer without overlapping.
- Bake for 2.5 to 4 hours, flipping halfway through, until dry to the touch but still slightly pliable.
- Check for doneness: slices should feel leathery and dry, with no sticky or wet spots, and bend slightly without cracking.
- Cool completely on the baking sheets for at least 30 minutes.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
Notes
For best results, use oranges with thin, tight skin. Consistent slice thickness is crucial for even drying. If making for the first time, do a test batch with one orange. For the overnight method, dry at 200°F for 2 hours, then turn off the oven and leave slices inside overnight without opening the door. Store in a cool, dark place for up to a year; color fades after 6 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 dried orange slice
- Calories: 1520
- Sugar: 34
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 1
Keywords: dried orange slices, oven-dried oranges, homemade gift, citrus garnish, edible decorations, orange slices recipe