Description
This recipe guides you through making dried orange slices using a slow oven dehydration method. Perfect as a natural snack or decorative garnish, the process involves thinly slicing oranges and gradually drying them at a low temperature to achieve chewy, flavorful dried slices without any additives.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 medium-sized oranges, washed and dried
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to a low temperature between 170-175°F (80°C) to prepare for slow, even dehydration of the orange slices.
- Prepare the Oranges: Thoroughly wash and dry the oranges to remove any dirt or residues. Slice them into 1/4-inch to 3/8-inch thick rounds, preferably using a mandolin slicer to maintain uniform thickness for even drying.
- Dry the Slices: Pat each orange slice with a paper towel to remove surface moisture. This step helps speed up the drying process and improves the final texture of the dried slices.
- Arrange on Baking Rack: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and place a baking rack on top. Spread the orange slices in a single layer on the rack, ensuring they are spaced evenly to avoid sticking and promote proper air circulation.
- Dehydrate in Oven: Place the baking rack with orange slices in the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 6 hours, flipping the slices every hour to ensure even drying and prevent sticking or burning.
- Check for Doneness: The dried orange slices are ready when their centers look dry and matte instead of glossy. If needed, you can air-dry the slices further outside the oven to avoid overbaking and preserve the flavor without bitterness.
Notes
- Using a mandolin slicer ensures even thickness for uniform drying.
- Flipping the slices every hour is essential to prevent burning and ensure even dehydration.
- Air drying after oven dehydration can help avoid bitterness that comes from overbaking.
- Store dried orange slices in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Dried orange slices can be used as snacks, garnishes for drinks, or decorative elements.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: dried oranges, dried orange slices, dehydrated orange recipe, healthy snack, natural fruit snack, homemade dried fruit
