How to Make Homemade Dried Orange Garland in the Oven
Learn how to make a beautiful dried orange garland for Christmas decor. A simple, natural way to add charm and warmth to your holiday season.
Equipment
- Sharp knife or mandolin slicer
- cutting board
- Baking sheet or cookie tray
- scissors
- 5–10 naval oranges (or try other types of citrus like lemon slices or grapefruits)
- Thin tea towel or paper towel
- parchment paper
- Wire rack or cooling rack (optional, helps airflow)
- Twine, clear fishing line, or yarn needle and piece of string
- Cinnamon sticks, pine cones, cranberries, popcorn, wooden beads, evergreen branches, ornament hooks optional
Ingredients
- 5–10 naval oranges (or try other types of citrus like lemon slices or grapefruits)
Instructions
- Slice Oranges: Choose thick slices or thin slices depending on your preference. Thin slices will dry faster, while thicker slices create more color in the flesh of the orange. Aim for about 1/4" slices.
- Remove Excess Juice: Place your sliced oranges in a single layer on a baking rack or lined cookie sheet. Take a thin tea towel or paper towel and gently press down to remove excess juice and excess liquid from each slice. Flip and repeat on the other side of the slice. This helps the drying process go faster.
- Oven Drying: Heat your oven to the lowest temperature, about 200°F. Place slices on parchment paper and line cookie sheets so they don't stick. Set them on the top rack of your oven with the oven door cracked slightly to let moisture escape.Bake the slices for 2 hours. At the hour mark, flip each slice. Continue baking 4–5 hours, flipping every half hour toward the end of the baking step. You’ll know they’re ready when the flesh of the orange looks translucent and no longer sticky.
- Cool & String: Move slices to a cooling rack and let them dry completely in a dry place. Then use a large needle or yarn needle to thread them with twine or fishing line. Leave about 1–2 inch gaps between each slice for the prettiest look. Make sure you have enough string for your mantel, window, or tree.