How to Dehydrate Oranges in the Oven, and 5 Ways to Style Them

how to dehydrate oranges and style them for the holidays | root + dwell

This is something I've been doing for the past couple of years and it really signals the start of the holiday season for me! The way these smell while dehydrating is amazing and there are so many pretty crafts you can make with them. I'm showing you 5 different ways I styled mine this year!

Here's how to dehydrate them:

1. Slice oranges about 1/8-1/4in. thick. I have such a hard time slicing them all even, but it's fine if they come out different sizes! I'll show you how to work with that later in the post.

2. Pat them dry with a dish towel. This is optional but I find it speeds up the dehydrating time.

3. Set your oven for 200°. Place your sliced oranges on a pan and set timer for 1 hour.

4a. After 1 hour, flip all the orange slices. Put back in the oven for another 30 mins.

4b. After 30 mins check on them. If they still need time, leave in for another 30 minutes. Take out any slices that seem done (the thinner ones) and place on a drying rack.

4c. Check again after 30 mins and if they still need more time flip and leave in for another 30 minutes. Take out any slices that are done. Keep this pattern going until they are completely dried out.

You will know they are done when you touch them and they are hard and no moisture comes off on your hands. They should be stiff, not floppy.

5. When they are done, set them out on a drying rack and leave for 1-2 days.

Now let's get into all the pretty crafts!

Scented Oranmanet

The perfect, natural and oh-so-good smelling addition to your tree!

1. Gather: monofilament cord, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 star anise, 1 orange slice and sewing needles. (makes 1 ornament)

2. Cut a piece of monofilament about 6in long, set the middle point of the string at the center of the star anise, and wrap around (several times) 1 star anise at a time. Tie a knot in the back.

3. Take your sewing needle and thread one side of the string through the orange to the other side. Do the same to the other side of the string. Tie the strings together in a knot on the back side, pulling the star anise tight against the orange slice. Repeat for the other star anise on the opposite side.

4. Cut another piece of fishing string about 8in long and thread through the cinnamon stick. Take your needle and thread the string through one top corner of the orange, and then do the same to the other side of the string on the other top corner.

Natural Garland

This simple garland is a beautiful addition to many areas of the home. String along your mantle, mix with green garland or let the light shine through them in front of a window.

1. Gather: Several dehydrated orange slices, twine, a sewing needle, pinecones and some evergreen branches (optional).

2. Thread your needle and pull through one side of the orange, around back and out the other side.

3. About an inch from your orange, tie a pinecone onto your string.

4. Keep going in this pattern until you have the length you want.

5. Optional: The next day I decided I wanted to add some festive greenery to it, so I snipped some off of our extra christmas tree branches and tied them on.

Light Catcher

This one may be my favorite! I love the way the light catches the different orange hues in this window. The combo of regular and blood oranges is huge for this craft!

1. Gather: An array of dehydrated regular and blood oranges, monofilament cord and 1 cinnamon stick.

2. Cut your string to about 15in. Thread the monofilament through the cinnamon stick so that there is an even amount of string hanging from either side.

3. Starting on one side thread your string through the top of an orange slice back and down through the bottom. Tie a double knot. Add 2 more oranges the same way below, spacing as you please. Do the same on the other side.

4. Hang somewhere the light will catch it, preferably in front of a window.

Pretty Package

A great way to add a natural, pretty touch to your recycled paper wrapped gifts!

1. Gather: 2 dehydrated oranges (preferably 1 regular and 1 blood orange in 2 different sizes), twine, kraft paper or recycled paper bags, dried eucalyptus (optional).

2. Wrap your gift and begin to tie the twine around.

3. Please the smaller orange slice ontop of the larger one and thread the twine back and through the middles. Do the same with the other side. Tie a double knot and trim strings to preference.

4. Stick dried eucalyptus through the knot behind the oranges. (optional)

Door Decor

This is a great way to utilize those trimmed bottom branches of the Christmas tree! These branches WILL dry out, so if you want it to last all season, choose a longer lasting evergreen, faux evergreen or leave it out all together. To keep the pine lasting longer, keep out of direct sunlight (if possible) and spritz with water everyday.