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Dried citrus ornaments add natural color and a soft, translucent glow to holiday decorations. Make them with oranges, lemons, or limes using a low-temperature oven, then hang the finished slices on a tree, arrange them with greenery, or string them into a garland. Evenly sliced fruit and gentle drying help the pieces keep their color and shape.
Supplies for Dried Citrus Ornaments
- Oranges, lemons, or limes
- A wide-blade knife
- A baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Ornament hangers
Choose firm, unblemished fruit and use a stable cutting board. A sharp, wide-blade knife makes it easier to cut slices to a consistent thickness, which helps them dry at a similar rate.
How to Make Dried Citrus Ornaments
1. Slice the citrus
Cut the fruit into slices about 1/4 inch thick and carefully remove any visible seeds. Try to keep the slices as even as possible: thinner pieces may dry sooner, while thicker ones can take longer.
2. Dry the slices in the oven
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the citrus slices in a single layer. Set the oven to a low temperature of about 150–170°F. Bake the slices for 3–4 hours, turning them once every hour.
Check their progress as they dry. The slices should feel dry but not be completely shriveled, and their edges should not look brown. Drying time can vary, so use their appearance and texture as a guide. If the fruit still feels moist, continue drying and check it regularly.
Can You Air-Dry Citrus Slices?
Yes. Citrus slices can also be air-dried, although the process takes longer and the final shape may differ. In this method, the slices took about four days to become firm. Orange slices curled, while lemon and lime slices stayed flatter.
For air-drying, place slices where air can circulate around them and check them periodically. Keep in mind that room conditions can affect how quickly they dry. Choose oven drying if you prefer flatter slices or need the ornaments sooner.
3. Add hangers and decorate
Once the slices are fully dry and cool, carefully pierce each one with an ornament hanger. Handle them gently, as dried fruit can be brittle. Hang the ornaments on a Christmas tree, combine them with evergreen branches in a vase, or thread them into a garland near a window.
The translucent slices can catch the light and create a warm, stained-glass-like effect. Keep them away from damp areas, which may soften the fruit. Since these are decorations that will be handled and hung, do not eat them after they have been used as ornaments.
Recipe Details
Preparation: 10 minutes
Oven drying: 3 hours 30 minutes
Total: 3 hours 40 minutes
Yield: Varies depending on the amount of fruit used.
For best results, slice the citrus evenly, turn the pieces each hour, and let them cool before adding hangers. These dried citrus ornaments are a simple way to bring natural color to seasonal decorating, whether you choose oranges, lemons, or limes.
— Mandi
