Today I am sharing how to make dried orange slices and Clementine. Because I enjoy using natural elements during the fall season and holidays drying oranges is a must in our home.
Dried Orange Slices and Clementine Smell Fantastic!
Besides enjoying the natural look citrus adds to my home décor, making my own oranges slices makes the house smell fantastic! It’s also simple to make many dried fruit such as apples, pears, and cranberries.
These Are Easy to Make
Are These Easy to Make?
Incidentally, when making dry orange slices and Clementine, the only thing that takes time to make this craft comes from cutting and slicing the oranges. Not too bad, right, especially for the holidays with your family.
By the way, get your little ones involved in this activity of drying orange slices.
I will share a fun step they can help with and make memories along the way. Besides these are fun ways to make memories!
What Oranges do I use to Make Dried Orange Slices?
What Oranges Work Best to Dry?
Navel oranges are the best because they are large, have thick skin, and for the most part have a uniform round shape. Choose firm oranges while at your local grocery store. Choose fruit, with the deepest color for great results.
However, I have been using Clementine for a few years and these work well. I enjoy this type of citrus because the best part, is they are small enough to tuck inside centerpieces and vignettes.
Because these have thinner skin I suggest drying these a bit shorter and letting them continue to air dry in a dry place on a wire rack and on a cookie sheet. I also have not had any mold issues with the small size of Clementine or Cuties.
Using the Oven To Dry Oranges & Clementine
Drying These Inside the Oven
We are using a technique for drying the orange slices that are at a low temperature and slow.
First steps, you will want to preheat your oven to 200 degrees F.
This process to dry orange slices takes approximately 4 to 6 hours. You will all want to flip them and rotate the cookie sheets every hour to cook them evenly.
Tip:
After flipping these it’s a good idea to keep an eye on them when you are down to the last half hour.
Why keep an eye on the slices?
Keep an Eye on the Slices
Because every oven has its own temperature and this will avoid browning.
In the meantime, as your oven is preheating this is a good time to gather supplies for drying your oranges:
Supplies List:
- fresh oranges
- large baking pans
- wire rack that’s oven safe – I use a stainless steel cooling rack upside and it works great
- sharp chef’s knife
- parchment paper
Now that you have your supplies, make the thickness of the orange slices 1/4″. Place each slice on the rack keeping them in a single layer and begin the drying process.
But wait, this is optional, however, I do this and it never disappoints. Also, here are the steps the kids can get involved and make some memories.
Sprinkle A Bit Of Spice:
- clove
- cinnamon
- nutmeg
Detailed Instructions for Dehydrated Oranges
Instructions for Dehydrating These
Now place your orange slices on the oven racks and begin the drying process. Adding these spices makes the house smell great and beautiful orange slices.
Now, allow the oranges to dry for 4 to 6 hours. Check them every hour and rotate the cookie trays. The slices should be dry to the touch.
Tips For Drying Oranges (whole) Clementine
Drying Whole Oranges or Clementine
Besides drying orange slices, let me share how to dry whole mandarins/clementine. In addition to your dried orange slices, mandarins/clementine are a great way to carry your citrus theme throughout your home.
Drying Oranges/Clementine Whole
First, for the most part, drying the whole orange is an easy project.
Second – you want to slice through the orange peel carefully. You want to slice at 12 o’clock, 6, 3 and 9. Also when making your slices make sure to use a sharp knife and leave the ends connected to the orange. This is important because this keeps the orange intact.
Third – After making your slices, roll the clementine on a paper towel and remove excess juice.
Fourth – Next lay the oranges on an oven-safe cooking rack on a baking tray. Stainless steel is best.
Fifth – Place the sheet pan with oranges in the oven and let them dry for 4 hours. After trying this a few times, I find drying the mandarins works best after 4-6 hours, and continue with the air dry method.
Seventh – After taking them out of the oven let them dry out of sunlight for two weeks. Also, as they are air drying check to see how they are drying.
Unfortunately, Clementine will not last beyond Christmas. However, store the dried slices in a brown bag in a dry area and dark place in your home to last for years to come!
How To Use Your Dried Oranges and Clementine In The Home for Decorations
Ideas for adding Lantern Filler Ideas
Add Dried Orange Slices to Lanterns as Lantern Filler for holiday décor
Put Inside A Lantern With A Battery-Operated Candle
Also, Add Dried Oranges/Clementine To Seasonal Décor
Add These to Seasonal Decor
These are simple things to add to your mantel
Also, add these to centerpieces
Craft Ideas Using Dried Citrus Slices/Clementine
Using These for Crafts?
Make A Dried Orange Wreath with Pine cones and star anise
Make a Dried Orange/fruit Christmas Garland
I hope you enjoyed learning how to make dried orange slices and Clementine. Do you enjoy using beautiful citrus slices in your home for Christmas decorating or ornaments?
Dried Oranges For Crafting
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Oven Safe Cooling Rack
- Parchment paper/optional
- Sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove/optional
- Oven 180/200 degrees fahrenheit
- oranges sliced 1/4 inch thick
- whole clementine slit 12, 6, 3 and 9
Instructions
- Slice oranges 1/4 inch thick
- Slit Clementine through the skin at 12, 6, 3 and 9
- Roll Clementine on paper towel to remove excess moisture
Notes
Cloches & Lavender Facebook Page
Hi Cindy,
I bet your house smells so great with these orange slices or the clementines drying especially with the spices added. I enjoy your newsletter and blog and follow you both on IG and pinterest. You are so crafty and I love seeing all your wonderful ideas. Happy New Week. xoxo
Thanks so much Kris. When the Christmas gets closer I’m thinking of putting whole cloves in oranges
I bet the house smells wonderful when drying those oranges, especially with the spices!
I’ve always wanted to do this and never have. Probably a time thing because I never have enough..lol. I haven’t been following you very long but I like what I see which is why I signed up in the first place😊. I just happen to have a bag of oranges that aren’t going to keep if I don’t use them so off I go to give this a try! Wish me luck!
I have never dried fruit before, I think I want to do it this fall. Thanks for sharing. I bet the dried fruit keeps your home smelling wonderful.
I’ve never done this, but every time I see a post about it, I think I bet that smells wonderful!! Maybe this is the time I’ll actually give it a try!! Mmm….and fun giveaway!! $100 would buy a lot of Christmas decor!!
Cindy, I can’t wait to see what you do with the orange slices and clementine. Did all the things for the giveaway!
Thanks Corine
I love this post about drying citrus. Pinning!
Hugs,
Kippi
Thank so much!!
I can almost smell the orange slices through my screen!
They do smell amazing
So beautiful! I bet your home smells amazing! I just love drying orange slices for decorating!
Smells great
I’ve never made these! Maybe this year is the year 🙂
The house will smell amazing
I have always wanted to try this, Cindy! My Mom is doing a lot of natural elements this year for Christmas at Bliss Barracks so I’m all kinds of excited to share this post with her. They’re so pretty! Hugs and thanks for the chance to win, CoCo
They are easy and with the spices the house smells amazing
Great idea. This must make your house smell divine. Have pinned for future reference.
I can almost smell the oranges and cinnamon and cloves right now! Great tips! Especially on how to dry whole clementines! I am pinning right now!
I’ve always wanted to make one of these – now I know how! Saving for later (might make one on the weekend if I have the time).
I enjoyed my dried oranges so much last holiday season. Love your idea for drying clementines! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Thanks Cecilia, nothing like using nature!
I love that your shared how to dry the slices and the whole oranges, too! Happy to be sharing you at Tuesday Turn About this week! Pinned!
Thank you Julie. I am sharing some great Christmas in July projects
Thanks for sharing with us – I’m featuring you this week when the next to Grandma’s house we go link party starts!
I’ve never made these! Bet the house smells so inviting when you bake these.
I really like both the slices and the whole oranges. They would look great in a fall, Christmas or New years setting.
Thank you, that’s the plan. Love nature
Love the thought of making these for fall… I can smell them just looking at them. Heavenly! Thanks for sharing.