Create your own dehydrated citrus slices

Whether you want an attractive garnish for drinks, an easy way to flavour water on the go or a way to use up your surplus fruit, drying your own citrus is a cynch.

What can you do with dried citrus?

• use in drinks for flavour. Dried citrus wheels are great in tea, water or cocktails.
• use in baking to decorate baked goods or blitz to a powder and use as a natural flavour
• make citrus sugar
• use as a decorative garland, unique gift tags or add to pot pourri
• dip in chocolate and eat as a sweet treat
• use as fragrant fire starters, although you only need the peels to get the fire started

FAQs

Is dehydrated fruit healthy?
Dried and dehydrated fruits are almost the same in terms of nutrient content and health benefits and are a great source of zinc, iron, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, copper and B vitamins. The fruit is naturally high in fibre and good for digestive health. 

Do you need a dehydrator?
Nope, a standard oven will work fine for dehydrating citrus. As all ovens vary, play around with the temp that suits your equipment.

What citrus can be dehydrated?
Pretty much anything goes, common fruits to dehydrate are oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes.

How do you prevent colour loss?
Dehydrating on a lower setting can help retain colour but it will take longer to dry the fruit

Do you need to oil the slices?
No, baking paper or a tray should be sufficient to stop fruit sticking and oil may make the fruit go rancid, depending on how long you store it.  

How do you prevent mold?
Make sure slices are completely dry before storing including the container you're storing them in

How do you store the dried fruit?
properly dehydrated citrus can last for several years but for optimal flavour, try to use within a year. Store in a closed container in the fridge or a cool, dark space to maintain color

How to dry citrus in the oven

1. Depending on your oven, preheat to 170-200F / 76 - 94^Oc 
   • for even dehydration, use a convection setting. Alternatively turn the slices every two hours until fully dried out
     • Drying times at 94⁰c /200⁰f 
       • Oranges: 5 1/5 to 6 hours
       • Lemons: 4 to 5 hours
       • Limes: 4 to 5 hours
       • Blood Oranges: 6 to 7 hours
       • Grapefruits: 8 to 9 hours
2. Line a baking sheet with baking paper or on a wire rack
   • there is no need to use oil
3. Thinly slice the citrus
   • use a mandolin for even slices or if you have a steady hand, a sharp knife is fine
4. Add to tray and bake for 3 - 6 hours
   • space citrus slices on the tray, bake for 3-6 hours, flip and rotate for best result
5. Store
   • store in a closed container in the fridge or a cool, dark space to maintain color