Dried orange slices are one of my favorite natural decorations for Christmas. They add a beautiful pop of color, have a lovely citrus scent, and look wonderful paired with evergreen branches, cinnamon sticks, pinecones, and ribbon.
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The best part is that they’re inexpensive and easy to make at home. You can dry orange slices in your oven or a food dehydrator and use them for Christmas garlands, ornaments, wreaths, gift wrapping, and homemade simmer pot gifts.
If you enjoy decorating with natural materials and bringing a little garden-inspired charm into your home, dried oranges are a simple Christmas project you’ll want to try.
Why You’ll Love Dried Orange Christmas Decorations
- Inexpensive: All you need are oranges and a little time.
- Natural and beautiful: The orange slices add warm color and a rustic touch to Christmas decorations.
- Versatile: Use them for garlands, ornaments, wreaths, and gift wrapping.
- Easy to make: You can dry them in the oven or a food dehydrator.
- Great for homemade gifts: Combine dried oranges with cinnamon sticks and other spices for a thoughtful handmade gift.
What You’ll Need
- Fresh oranges
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Paper towels
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Wire cooling rack (optional)
- Twine, ribbon, or jute string for decorating
You can use regular navel oranges, blood oranges, or smaller mandarin oranges. Different varieties create slightly different colors and patterns.
How to Prepare Oranges for Drying
Start by washing the oranges thoroughly and drying them with a clean towel.
Slice the oranges crosswise into rounds approximately 1/4 inch thick. Try to keep the slices as uniform as possible so they dry evenly.
If the slices are too thick, they’ll take much longer to dry and may retain moisture in the center. Very thin slices can become brittle and break easily.
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Blot both sides of each orange slice with paper towels to remove excess juice. This helps speed up the drying process.
Remove any seeds you can easily reach.
How to Dry Orange Slices in the Oven
Drying oranges in the oven is easy and doesn’t require any special equipment.
- Preheat your oven to 200°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or place a wire rack over the baking sheet.
- Arrange the orange slices in a single layer, leaving a little space between each slice.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven.
- Bake for approximately 3–4 hours, turning the slices every 30–45 minutes.
- Continue drying until the orange slices are mostly dry, slightly translucent, and no longer sticky or wet in the center.
Drying time will vary depending on the thickness of the slices, the amount of juice in the oranges, and your oven.
If your oven has a convection setting, you can use it to help circulate the warm air.
Keep an eye on the oranges toward the end of the drying time. You want them dried, not browned or burned.
How to Dry Orange Slices in a Food Dehydrator
A food dehydrator is another great way to dry oranges. It provides consistent airflow and makes it easy to dry several trays at once.
- Prepare the oranges by washing and slicing them into 1/4-inch rounds.
- Blot the slices with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Arrange the orange slices in a single layer on your dehydrator trays.
- Set the dehydrator to approximately 135°F.
- Dry for 6–10 hours, checking periodically.
- Remove the slices when they are dry throughout and no longer sticky.
Some slices may take longer than others, so check the thicker pieces before removing them.
Let the dried oranges cool completely before storing or using them in decorations.
How to Tell When Orange Slices Are Dry
Properly dried orange slices should feel dry to the touch and should not have wet or sticky areas in the center.
They may still be slightly flexible when warm, but they should become firmer as they cool.
If you notice moisture inside the slices after cooling, return them to the oven or dehydrator and continue drying.
This is especially important if you plan to store them for later use. Any remaining moisture can lead to mold.
How to Use Dried Orange Slices for Christmas Decorations
There are so many pretty ways to decorate with dried oranges. Their natural color looks especially beautiful with greenery, wood, cinnamon sticks, and simple neutral ribbon.
Make a Dried Orange Garland
One of the prettiest ways to use dried orange slices is to make a Christmas garland.
Use a large needle and jute twine or thin ribbon to carefully thread the dried orange slices. You can alternate them with cinnamon sticks, wooden beads, or small pieces of evergreen.
Hang your garland across a fireplace mantel, along a staircase railing, or around a window.
Make Natural Christmas Ornaments
Dried orange slices make beautiful natural Christmas ornaments.
Use a small hole punch or carefully thread ribbon through the top of each slice. Tie a loop of twine or ribbon and hang them on your Christmas tree.
They look especially pretty paired with wooden ornaments, pinecones, and simple greenery.
Decorate Christmas Wreaths
Add dried orange slices to a homemade evergreen wreath for a warm, rustic look.
Attach the slices with floral wire or hot glue. Combine them with cinnamon sticks, pinecones, dried berries, and rosemary sprigs.
Decorate Christmas Gifts
Use dried orange slices to dress up homemade Christmas gifts.
Tie one onto a gift box with jute twine, tuck one into a gift basket, or attach one to a homemade jar of herb salt or flavored vinegar.
They add a pretty finishing touch without needing expensive gift decorations.
Make Christmas Simmer Pot Gift Jars
Dried orange slices are perfect for homemade simmer pot gifts.
Add a few slices to a small jar or cellophane bag along with cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, and a sprig of dried rosemary.
Tie the package with ribbon and include a small tag with instructions for simmering the ingredients in water on the stovetop.
These make thoughtful homemade gifts for neighbors, friends, teachers, and family members.
How to Store Dried Orange Slices
Before storing your dried orange slices, make sure they have cooled completely.
Place them in an airtight container and keep them in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight.
For the best results, check the container occasionally for condensation or signs of moisture. If you notice any, the slices need additional drying before storing.
For longer storage, keep them in a sealed container in a dry location. Discard any slices that develop mold or an unusual smell.
Tips for Making Beautiful Dried Orange Slices
Use a sharp knife. A sharp knife makes it easier to cut even slices without crushing the oranges.
Keep the slices uniform. Consistent thickness helps everything dry at approximately the same rate.
Blot away excess juice. Removing extra moisture before drying saves time.
Don’t rush the drying process. Low, gentle heat helps preserve the orange color and prevents burning.
Choose oranges with pretty centers. Oranges with attractive sections and few seeds make especially beautiful decorations.
Let them cool before storing. Warm oranges can create condensation inside storage containers.
Making dried orange slices is an easy way to add a little natural beauty to your Christmas decorating.
Whether you use them for a homemade garland, Christmas tree ornaments, gift wrapping, or simmer pot gifts, they’re a simple project that brings a warm, old-fashioned touch to the holiday season.
Pair them with fresh rosemary, evergreen branches, cinnamon sticks, and other natural materials for a cozy Christmas look.
Once you make a batch, you’ll probably find all sorts of ways to use them around your home!
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