Wonderfully aromatic, delicious and a real vitamin bomb - oranges are a must in the winter months and are an integral part of our menu. Sure – citrus fruits taste particularly good when fresh, but even when dried, orange slices enchant us with their irresistible scent. With the right tips and a little patience, absolutely anyone can dry orange slices. How exactly does this work and what can you use it for?
Fresh oranges are delicious, but they exude an equally wonderful aroma when dried. times assustainable and affordable Christmas decorations, for decorating gifts or even for refining mulled wine or cocktails - dried orange slices are real all-rounders and can be used in a variety of ways. And if you're interested in a new DIY project this winter, we'll tell you the best methods and helpful tips for drying orange slices.
Drying orange slices: These methods exist
As already mentioned, there are actually different methods and ways to dry orange slices. Depending on what kitchen equipment you have, you could use the oven, a dehydrator, or even the microwave. So what are you waiting for? Grab some oranges and let's get started!
Air dry orange slices
The first method of drying orange slices takes some time, but trust us - patience pays off. If you want to enjoy the wonderful scent while it is drying, you can let the orange slices air dry. The most important thing for a successful result is to wash the oranges thoroughly and cut them into evenly thin slices. Then pat the orange slices lightly dry with kitchen paper, line a large baking tray with baking paper and spread them on top. Make sure the slices do not overlap. Place the tray in a place that is as warm as possible - the heater is perfect for this, for example. Here's a little tip - to speed up the process a little, we would recommend changing the baking paper every 3-4 hours. If you choose this method, you should expect 6 to 10 days - only then will the fruit slices be completely dry.
Orange slices dry in the oven
You can dry orange slices in the oven a little faster. With this method, you should first wash them thoroughly and cut them into thin slices. To avoid small holes, don't cut them too thin - one to two centimeters would be optimal. If you later want to use the dried orange slices to refine drinks or dishes, always use organic quality oranges. Line one or two baking trays with baking paper and place the slices on them so that they do not overlap. Put the baking trays in the oven and let the orange slices dry at 70 degrees for about 8 hours. For an even result, turn the slices every 1 to 2 hours and if some dry faster than others, remove them. Then let the orange slices cool completely in the fresh air and only then put them in an airtight container.
In the dehydrator
Drying orange slices in a dehydrator is particularly convenient and very energy efficient (and with rising prices we all want to save money in the kitchen). Place the cut slices inside and set the temperature to 45 degrees if you want to use them for flavoring. However, if you would like to make a Christmas decoration out of orange slices, a temperature of 65 degrees would be optimal. After about 16 to 20 hours the slices are completely dry. To speed up the process, turn the orange slices every now and then.
Dry orange slices in the microwave
You don't have time or patience and you need to move faster? Then you could also dry orange slices in the microwave. However, they lose their taste and scent and are therefore rather unsuitable for refining dishes and drinks. However, if you want to make a decoration with it, then there is nothing wrong with the microwave. To do this, place a piece of baking paper on a plate and place the orange slices on it. Then dry the fruits for 3 minutes at 900 watts and turn once. Then set the microwave to the lowest setting and let it run for 40 minutes. Very important – to remove the moisture, open the door very briefly every 5 minutes.
What do you use dried orange slices for?
You already know the best methods for drying orange slices. Okay, what could you do with that? You can actually use the dried fruits in many ways and we have a few great ideas for you to keep in mind.
- Dried orange slices are ideal for refining winter drinks such as herbal tea, mulled wine or Christmas cocktails.
- Use the dried fruits to add to your stollen orbaking Christmas cookiesto give it a fruity kick. Dried orange slices are an absolute must-have for Christmas decorations and you can use them to spice up the Advent wreath or the door wreath.
- This can also be used to create beautiful Christmas arrangements.
- Or why not decorate Christmas presents with dried orange slices?
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