Drying Citrus Fruit in the Oven

Drying Citrus Fruit in the Oven can showcase winter citrus while sprucing up your home this Christmas Season.

Drying Citrus Fruit in the Oven Video

Today, I decided to spend the day by incorporating some traditional colonial traditions into our farmhouse this Christmas season. Last, year was my first-year drying fruit and I loved it that I wanted to share how easy it is!

dry citrus fruit on a black slate plate with fresh cedar

Drying fruit is beautiful and a classic touch to add to any space in your home. When drying fruit in my home the smells that come from the citrus is divine; and screams cozy and joy!

Depending on the climate, citrus will last longer because it is packed with sweetness and sunshine therefore perfect for decorating your home this season.

Years ago, citrus was only found in tropical environments; nowadays you can find citrus almost everywhere. Getting a hold of in seasonal citrus this time of year is abundant during the colder months and will last longer than most fruits.

Citrus is cherished by many people, because of it is easy to get and rich fragrance.

Refreshing and perfectly shape, citrus is perfect for not just eating but, for decorating during the holiday season.

You can place and arrange of citrus in bowls and create garlands and ornaments. Using citrus fruit for Christmas Decoration has been around since the colonial days.

Christmas is a festive time; now and then, this is prominent in feast, decorations and gift giving.

Drying out your citrus and using it to prepare a delicious drink such as a mulled wine or assemble a potpourri to give as a gift.

Garnish a meal with your dry citrus creations to create a festive vibe.

Drying Citrus Fruit in the Oven is an inexpensive and pop of color to your Christmas Decorations this Season.

Dry Fruit in the Oven Decoration Ideas

First, after drying citrus fruit in the oven cut a small hole near edge of your citrus being careful not to cut the rind.

Second, Thread your twine through the hole of your citrus to hang as a garland or ornament on your Christmas Tree, mantel or stairway.

Option one you can tie your twine at the end and hang on your Christmas Tree as an ornament.

Option two create small holes near edge on an odd number of dried citruses. Take twine and tread through all our citrus pieces to create garland. Hang citrus garland on your Christmas Tree, mantel or banister.

Option three display in bowls, plates or around a centerpiece.

Thirdly, Tuck and place citrus in varies spots to decorate for Christmas such as baskets, wreaths, jars and platters.

Finally, to add pizzazz to your dry fruit using mod podge and glitter in white, silver or gold. Take a paint brush and paint a thin layer of mod podge to your desire areas where you want your glitter to be. Sprinkle glitter over the mod podge and tap to remove excess. Along glitter dry fruit to dry completely overnight.

How Does Dry Citrus in the Oven Keep it’s Color?

There are many reasons why you should dry citrus in your decor, reason is because of its vibrant color it processions.

The simplest answer to how dry citrus keeps its color is the antioxidants that are in citrus peels. Do not stress out because the deep colors of citrus will remain even after drying and survive for a few years.

Choose citrus to dry that are fresh and are bright in color.

Remember to not over dehydrate your citrus. If you dehydrate your citrus to long your peels and color can look burnt and not vibrant.

Drying Citrus Fruit in the Oven Recipe

Creating one-of-a-kind garlands and ornament by drying citrus fruit will be beautiful this holiday season.

Ingredients

Variety of Citrus such as Grapefruit, Oranges, Lemons and/or Limes
Natural Jute Twine
Sharp Knife
Optional: Mod Podge
Coarse Glitter and/or gold, silver, white
paint brush
Cookie Sheet
Cooling Rack

Directions

1.) Preheat your oven to 200 degrees. Next take your citrus and slice in about a 1/4 inch thick. Do not slice citrus to thin because your edges could burn. Take a cooling rack and place on top of a cookie sheet. Bloat your citrus with paper towel to remove moisture. Cirtus should be dry after removing moisture with paper towel. Arrange your citrus in a single layer on cooling rack. Note, lemons and limes will have to go on a different cooling rack and not with oranges or grapefruit because of the various dehydration times.

2.) Bake various citrus for two hours in the beginning. After two hours turn citrus over and bake lemons and limes for thirty additional minutes. Bake oranges and grapefruit for one additional hour.

How To Dry Grapefruit Slices for Decoration

Note, your grapefruit will have a same baking time after it has flipped after the first two hours as oranges. When Drying Grapefruit Slices bake at 200 degrees for two hour and flip to bake an additional hour.

How to Dry Lemon Slices in the Oven

Lemons and Limes will have to bake less than oranges and grapefruit. Dry your lemon slices in the oven two hours at 200 degrees, flip and bake for additional for thrifty minutes.

3.) Let citrus cool completely before handling.

4.) Finally, you can decorate citrus with glitter by painting edges with Mod Podge and rolling in glitter. If using glitter and glue it will need to dry overnight before proceeding. Citrus can be threaded with twine to make ornaments or a banner.

5.) Finally, start decking the halls by hanging your dry citrus on your tree, mantle or stairway. You can store your dry citrus in a cool, dry place for years.