Dried Orange Peels (Dried Citrus Peels Recipe)
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Learn how to dry citrus peels with this dried orange peels recipe. Use this easy, oven-based method to make dried orange, lemon, lime, or grapefruit slices to turn into creative wreaths, garnishes, and decorations. Drying your own fruit is incredibly simple, requiring little more than a tray, an oven, and a few hours of your time.
When I first tested this recipe, I carefully packaged my dried orange, grapefruit, and lemon slices and placed them in a drawer to use as garnishes and food photography props for future projects. Several months later, I’m still greeted by the fragrant scent of dried citrus every single time I open that drawer. In addition to their lovely scent, these dried citrus peels add flavor and visual appeal to everything from cakes to cocktails, and also make a unique finishing touch for gift-wrapped packages. You can add ribbons to make holiday ornaments, string the slices into garlands for adorning mantels and bannisters, or join them together to create a pretty decorative wreath.
Tips and Tricks
- Check the parchment paper as the citrus slices dry. If the parchment feels wet or soggy, it can be helpful to change out the baking paper halfway through. Don’t use silicone mats for drying citrus; they aren’t absorbent.
- Vary your citrus. For this batch I used two oranges, one lemon, and half of a red grapefruit, but this recipe works just as well with other citrus fruits, too. Try it with limes, kumquats, blood oranges, or white grapefruit.
- Don’t make the slices too thick. The thicker your slices, the longer it will take for the fruit to dry. Try to aim for around 1/4-inch thickness, no more than that. A sharp chef’s knife will yield the cleanest, more even slices.
- Smaller fruits dry faster. Depending on your oven and the thickness of your slices, as well as the types of fruit you’ve selected (smaller, “dry” citrus fruits like limes and lemons will require less time in the oven than big, juicy fruits like oranges and grapefruit) the entire process can take anywhere from four to eight hours. Check the tray periodically and remove the smaller slices as they dry. My lemons and oranges dried in about five hours; the grapefruit took closer to sven. If you are making large quantities of dried citrus, I’d recommend drying each type of fruit on a separate tray.
- Dry citrus fruit on a day when you’re free to stay at home. This is a good project for days when you’re free to spend a few hours at home, since you’ll need to check the oven periodically. The drying process can take up to eight hours, and you’ll need to stay nearby so you can turn and check the fruit periodically. Do not leave drying fruit unattended.
Dried Citrus Peels
- Total Time4-8 hours
- YieldAbout 80 grams (2 - 2 1/2 cups dried citrus slices) 1x
An easy method for making dried citrus peels for garnishes and decorations. This technique works with oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and other citrus fruits.
Instructions
Line a half-sheet rimmed baking tray with parchment. Preheat oven 212° F (100° C).
With a sharp chef’s knife, slice the fruit to 1/4-inch thickness.
Arrange fruit slices on prepared tray, allowing space between the slices. Do not overlap.
Bake in preheated oven for 2 hours. Use a spatula to flip the slices, then bake for 2 hours more.
Continue baking, turning the slices periodically, until dry to the touch. Depending on your oven, the fruit you’ve chosen, and the thickness of your slices, the entire process can take anywhere from 4-8 hours, so continue checking the oven periodically as they bake.
Use dried citrus slices as desired. Store in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag at room temperature for up to a year.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-8 hours
- Category: Miscellaneous
- Method: Oven
How to Use Dried Citrus Peels
- Join the citrus slices together to form decorative wreaths, or string them into garlands to adorn doorways, mantels, bannisters, or Christmas trees.
- Add a thin strand of twine or ribbon and use each slice as a holiday ornament.
- Halve or quarter the slices and use to garnish cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and other baked goods.
- Garnish or stir into beverages, including cocktails, hot chocolate, tea, or sparkling water.
- Place a clear glass jar of slices on countertop for a rustic kitchen decoration.
- Decorate Christmas stockings, or use as a gift wrap accent to give presents a fragrant finishing touch.
Make Ahead and Storage Suggestions
These dried citrus peels are the ultimate make-ahead project! If stored correctly, they can last for up to a year.
Make sure the peels are completely dry before sealing them in an airtight bag, jar, or storage container. Any traces of moisture can promote mold, causing the entire batch to go bad.
Other Citrus Recipes You Might Enjoy
Citrus Simmer Pot
Candied Grapefruit Peel with Dark Chocolate
Mulled Wine with Citrus and Spices
Candied Orange Peels
Grapefruit Infused Water
Dried Citrus Wreath
And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!
