DIY Dried Oranges for Simmering Potpourri & Crafts

Learn how to make DIY dried oranges for simmering scent/potpourri, crafts & for beverage garnishes. No special equipment needed!

It’s easy to fill your home with the lovely and fresh scent of citrus, cinnamon, and other natural elements by making your own custom simmering scented potpourri. Any combination of items can be used, but one of the must-have ingredients is dried oranges. Making DIY dried oranges to use in simmering scent, or to make holiday crafts, takes just a few hours and the end result is totally worth the time! 

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DIY Dried Oranges: Supplies Needed

Oranges
Cooling racks
Sharp knife & cutting board

Process:

• Slice the oranges. It’s best to keep the slices thin, but not too thin that they tear or stick. Try to make the slices ¼ to ½ inch thick and as uniform as possible. 
• Lay the orange slices on paper towel and blot to remove as much juice as you can. 
  Transfer the orange slices to cooling racks.

TIP: In the past, I have placed the orange slices directly on my oven racks. It was quite a process leaning over to turn them every 30 minutes. It’s much easier to use cooling racks so the slices can be easily turned and removed from the oven. They need air flow both above and below so do not use any sort of pan or cookie sheet. 

• Bake at 225 degrees for 2 to 3 hours, turning the slices every 30 minutes. (If you don’t turn them, they will most likely stick to your racks.) The slices will darken in color and become slightly translucent. Cool completely. Store in air tight containers or zip top bags. 

I have a convection oven and set at 225 degrees, my oranges always dry in two hours. After baking, I let them sit out for a few days just to make sure they are completely dry. This method can be used for any kind of citrus fruit such as lemons, limes or grapefruits. 

In addition to making your own simmering scent, dried oranges can be used in marinades or as a garnish for drinks. They can also be strung with bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, and other aromatic dried items to make Christmas garland.

One of the best things about drying your own fruit is the way it makes your kitchen smell during the process. Every time the oven door opens, the fresh scent of orange spills out into your home. Enjoy!