This easy recipe will show you how to make homemade dried orange slices with your oven or dehydrator. Dried oranges are perfect for festive decorations as garlands, to wrap gifts, and add color to wreaths. They're also great for cocktails, as cake decorations, and to snack on (try them dipped in chocolate!)
100grams (3.5 ounces)dark chocolate, finely chopped - I used a 72% chocolate bar (optional for chocolate dip)
1teaspoonvegetable oil (optional for chocolate dip)
Instructions
DRIED ORANGE SLICES IN THE OVEN
Preheat oven to 170 degrees Fahrenheit (75 degrees Celsius). Note: You can try the lowest Gas Mark setting, ¼, but it may be too hot for this recipe and cause the oranges to brown too much. Consider a dehydrator instead!
Line two half sheet baking pans with rustproof oven safe baking/cooling racks.
Wash and dry the oranges. Using a long sharp knife, slice the oranges perpendicularly into ⅛ inch slices. Place the orange slices onto the racks.
Cook in the oven for 4-8 hours. Time varies greatly depending on the thickness of the slices and the amount of juice in the citrus. Flip oranges every few hours to help ensure they dry evenly. Slices are done when dry to the touch and no longer moist or tacky. They will still be flexible when warm, but will firm up as they cool. If some slices are dry before others are finished, remove them and let the remaining slices continue to dehydrate.
DRIED ORANGE SLICES IN THE DEHYDRATOR
Wash and dry the oranges. Using a long sharp knife or a mandoline, slice the oranges perpendicularly into ⅛ inch slices. Place the orange slices onto the dehydrator racks, leaving a bit of room between slices for air circulation.
Set temperature to manufacturer's setting for dried fruit (on my Excalibur dehydrator, the dried fruit setting is at 135 degrees Fahrenheit (57 degrees Celsius).
Place racks in dehydrator and turn on for 8 - 12 hours. Time varies greatly depending on the thickness of the slices and the amount of juice in the citrus. If your dehydrator's fan is at the top or bottom of the machine, rotate the trays partway through to ensure even drying. The Excalibur dryer has a fan that is located in the middle of the dehydrator so this isn't as important.
Slices are done when dry to the touch and no longer moist or tacky. They will still be flexible when warm, but will firm up as they cool. If some slices are dry before others are finished, remove them and let the remaining slices continue to dehydrate.
CHOCOLATE FOR DIPPING
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
In the top of a double boiler, fully melt chocolate, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Stir in vegetable oil gently to avoid incorporating extra bubbles.
Partially dip dried orange slices into melted chocolate, shaking extra chocolate back into bowl. Carefully place dipped orange slices onto parchment paper to set. Place in a cool, dry location for an hour to set (you can speed the process in the fridge for 5-10 minutes if desired).