In this quick tutorial I will walk you through how to dehydrate, dry citrus fruit slices that are not only edible but as beautiful ornamental pieces.
Do I need a dehydrator to dry fruit slices?
No, you can use your oven to dry them and even some air fryers can be used. Do you want a dehydrator? Possibly, but that a whole other post to be written very soon. If you’d like to check out my dehydrator here it is! The features for the price were second to none. I love the wire racks, the way they dried everything so evenly without having to shift your trays around. The fact that the fan runs smooth and quiet is a huge plus.
Now back to the citrus drying!
- Wash your citrus fruit and decide how you want them sliced. Preheat oven 200* (or turn on dehydrator to warm up)
- I use this mandoline to slice them thin and evenly (poke a hole in the top if you will be hanging them). Or just slice thin with a sharp knife.
- Lay your citrus on a tray, keep room between each piece for air flow to help them dry evenly.
Place them in your dehydrator at 130*. Check them every couple hours and rotate tray or flip slices as needed. Roughly 3-7 hours till dry and crispy.
Oven drying averages 2 to 3 hours. Flip slices after an hour and rotate your tray.
TIPS on drying fruit slices
Drying them in the oven at no more than 200* or in your dehydrator at 130-135*
(make take a few hours longer depending on the humidity in the air).
I’ve learned with drying foods that they are dry when they are dry and not to pay too much mind to the length of time on any recipe. However, the recommendations on the temperatures are very important for the quality of your end product and for food safety.
Increasing temp may cause them to turn brown or black due to sugar content. Slow and steady to retain the beautiful bright color.
If you notice your citrus browning in the oven just open your door a crack and place a wooden spoon in your door to keep it ajar.
When they are fully dry they will be crispy once cooled.
Keep them sealed in a jar after they are completely cooled. Make sure your citrus peels are completely dry or they can mold in your jars. Properly dried and stored they will last a few years, but chances are you’ll use them long before they go bad.
What can dry, dehdyrated fruit slices be used for?
Potpourri
Homemade simmer pots
Gift toppers
Cloth napkin decor
Tree ornaments
Place setting ornaments
Garland
Candied fruit slices
Dessert toppers
Bowl fillers
Bird suet
Drink topper
Trail mix
Foot/body soak or scrub
Table centerpiece
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Please share with me your creations and Happy Crafting!
