How to Dry Orange Slices for Christmas Decorations (UK)

Bright, glassy orange slices for the tree, garlands and gift tags, with no oven left on all day.

Why make it

Dried orange slices are the classic British Christmas decoration. They smell wonderful, they last for years if kept dry, and they cost pennies. The oven method needs constant turning and often scorches the edges; a dehydrator dries them evenly and leaves them a clean, stained-glass orange.

Make a batch in early December and you will have enough for the tree, a garland for the mantelpiece and a few to tie onto presents.

Ingredients

• 6 large oranges (navel oranges give big, seedless slices)
• Optional: 2–3 blood oranges or clementines for colour and size contrast
• Optional for hanging: string, twine or narrow ribbon, and whole cinnamon sticks or bay leaves to thread between slices

Equipment

• Ezidri Ultra FD1000 with 4–5 trays
• Mesh sheets (stop slices sticking to the tray as they shrink)
• Sharp serrated knife or a mandoline with a hand guard
• Clean tea towel or kitchen paper

Method (summary)

1. Slice the oranges into even rounds about 5 mm thick. Discard the knobbly ends.
2. Press each slice between kitchen paper to soak up surface juice.
3. Lay the slices in a single layer on mesh-lined trays, not touching.
4. Dry at 55–60°C for 8–12 hours, until the flesh is dry and slightly translucent and the peel is hard.
5. Cool on the trays, then thread or store in an airtight box.

How to tell it's dry, storage and rehydrating

Dry when: firm, dry to the touch and translucent, with no soft patches once cool.

Storage: keep decorations in an airtight tin or jar with a sheet of kitchen paper. In a dry room they keep their colour for a season or more; in a damp spot they can go soft or mouldy, so check them before reusing next year.

Safety: dried fruit is flammable. Keep garlands away from candles, open fires and hot bulbs (LED lights are fine).

FAQ

Why have my dried orange slices gone brown?

Usually the temperature was too high or the slices were too thin. Keep to 55–60°C and 5 mm slices. A little browning at the edges is normal, especially with very juicy fruit.

Can you eat dehydrated orange slices?

Yes, if you used food-safe fruit and didn't add varnish or glitter. Unwaxed oranges are best. Store edible slices in an airtight jar and eat within a few months.

How long do dried orange decorations last?

Kept dry and out of direct sunlight, they can last for several Christmases. They fade gradually in sunlight and can absorb moisture in a damp room.

Do I need to rotate the trays?

Not with the Ultra FD1000. Its airflow design dries evenly without tray rotation; just check the slices haven't stuck halfway through.

Related recipes and guides

• Cranberry and orange garland
• Christmas simmer pot gift mix
• Edible Christmas gifts from your dehydrator
• Drying times and temperatures chart

Some food images are illustrative.