Drying Orange Peels In The Oven

how long to bake orange peels in over

Dried orange peel is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes, from savoury to sweet dishes, drinks, and even homemade cleaning and beauty products. It is easy to make and can be stored for several months. The process involves baking orange peels in the oven at a low temperature for around 20-30 minutes until they are dry and slightly curled. The peels can then be used as a zesty, fragrant addition to teas, cocktails, marinades, spice blends, and more.

Characteristics Values
Oven temperature 200°F
Bake time 25-30 minutes
Additional time 15 minutes (if peels are not crispy)
Peel size Thin strips
Peel amount Single layer on a baking sheet

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How to dry orange peels in the oven

Drying orange peels in the oven is a great way to preserve the citrus fruit, which can be used in spice blends, sauces, tea, or cocktails. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to dry orange peels in the oven:

Step 1: Selecting and Preparing the Oranges

Start by selecting oranges that are organic and free from pesticides since you will be consuming the peel. Any type of orange can be used, such as Cara Cara, navel oranges, or mandarines. It is recommended to use oranges with thick peels, such as navel oranges, as they are easier to work with.

Once you have selected your oranges, use a sharp vegetable peeler or a potato peeler to remove the outer skin of the orange. Be careful not to remove the white pith, as it has a bitter taste. If you do end up with some pith on the peel, you can carefully scrape it off.

Step 2: Cutting the Peels

After removing the peels, stack a few strips together and cut them crosswise into thin pieces, approximately 1/8-inch in thickness. You can cut them into different shapes depending on your intended use. For example, smaller pieces are better suited for a tea infuser, while larger curls are more aesthetically pleasing for potpourri.

Step 3: Arranging the Peels on a Baking Sheet

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the orange peels on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, leaving at least 1/2 inch of space between each peel to allow for even drying.

Step 4: Baking the Orange Peels

Preheat your oven to a low temperature, around 200°F. Place the baking sheet with the orange peels in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the peels start to curl and harden slightly. Keep a close eye on the peels as they can go from drying to burning very quickly.

Step 5: Cooling and Storing the Dried Peels

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the orange peels cool completely. Transfer the cooled peels to an airtight container or a spice jar. Dried orange peels can be stored at room temperature for up to 12 months or in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

Additional Tips:

  • If you want to make orange peel powder, you can grind the dried peels in a food processor.
  • Dried orange peels can be used in a variety of ways, including tea, sugar scrubs, marinades, and natural cleaners.
  • To dry the peels without an oven, you can spread them on a plate or tray and let them air-dry for approximately 2 days until they become crisp.
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How to make orange peel powder

Ingredients:

Oranges

Equipment:

  • Vegetable peeler
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Food processor or spice grinder
  • Airtight container

Method:

  • Preheat your oven to 200°F.
  • Use a vegetable peeler to remove the outer skin of the oranges, being careful not to pick up the bitter white pith underneath.
  • Place the orange peels on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, ensuring they are in a single layer.
  • Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the peels are hard and slightly curled.
  • Allow the peels to cool completely, then transfer them to a food processor or spice grinder and blend until they form a fine powder.
  • Store your orange peel powder in an airtight container.

Tips:

  • If you don't have a food processor or spice grinder, you can place the dried peels in a tea towel or cloth bag and use a rolling pin to smash them into a fine powder. Alternatively, you can use a pestle and mortar.
  • To avoid any harmful chemicals in your orange peel powder, it is recommended to use organically grown oranges. However, whether they are conventionally or organically grown, be sure to wash the oranges thoroughly before beginning the process.
  • If your oven temperature cannot be set as low as 200°F, simply place the tray of orange peels in the oven at a higher temperature for a shorter amount of time. Check on them regularly to ensure they do not burn.
  • The drying process can also be done naturally by placing the orange peels on a plate or tray and leaving them to air dry for approximately 2 days.
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How to make orange peel tea

Orange peel tea is a delicious and healthy drink, especially during cold winter days. It is also a great way to use orange peels instead of throwing them away. The process of making orange peel tea is simple and convenient, and the tea has many health benefits.

Ingredients:

  • Orange peel
  • Orange juice (freshly squeezed)
  • Sweetener (optional, honey or any other sweetener)
  • Spices (optional, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger)
  • Tea (optional, green or black tea, or rooibos tea)

Method:

First, choose a bright, fresh orange and wash it thoroughly, preferably organic to avoid any pesticides. Then, thinly slice the peel. You can use a vegetable peeler to peel the orange into thin strips, avoiding the white pith, which can be bitter.

Next, you can either dry the orange peels or use them fresh. To dry the peels, spread them on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake in an oven at 200°F for 25-30 minutes until they curl and harden slightly. You can also leave the peels to air-dry at room temperature for a few days until they are crispy. Once dried, store the peels in an airtight container or jar.

To make the tea, boil water and add the orange peels and any desired spices. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the colour of the water changes, then remove from the heat. Cover and let the tea steep for 2-5 minutes. If you are using green or black tea, add it now and steep as usual. Then, add the orange juice and sweetener to taste. Reheat if needed, strain, and serve.

Your classic orange peel tea is now ready! You can also chill the tea and serve it as iced tea. This tea can be stored in the fridge for up to two days.

Health Benefits:

Orange peel tea has various health benefits due to its high content of vitamins, minerals, pectin, and fibres. It is particularly rich in vitamin C, containing almost 3 times more than the fruit itself. It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and can help relieve respiratory problems, improve oral health, and boost immunity.

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How to use orange peels for decoration

To dry orange peels in the oven, it is recommended to bake them at 200°F for 25 to 30 minutes. Now, here are some creative ways to use orange peels for decoration:

Decorative DIY Orange Flowers

Create cute little fragrant decorations by making DIY orange flowers out of orange peels. You can add them to mason jars with potpourri to make a nice table centerpiece.

Country Chic Orange Peel Star Garland

This is a perfect craft project for kids and adults alike. It can be used as a lovely fragrant garland for the holiday season or any other time of the year.

Add to Flower Arrangements

Cut dried orange peels into shapes and attach them to skewers or floral sticks to place in flower arrangements. This adds a pop of color and a lovely fragrance to the arrangement.

Turn Into a Candle Base

Use orange peels as a base for pouring candle wax or simply pour some oil into the candle base to burn, providing a nice orange fragrance.

Make a Bird Feeder

Create a simple bird feeder by cutting an orange in half and removing the fruit, and filling the orange-half with birdseed. Hang it outside a window and enjoy watching the birds.

Add to Flower Arrangements

Cut dried orange peels into shapes and attach them to skewers or floral sticks. Place them in flower arrangements to add a pop of color and a lovely fragrance.

Add to Brown Sugar to Prevent Hardening

The oils in orange peels can help draw moisture from brown sugar, preventing it from hardening. Simply place the peels in the container with the sugar.

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How to store orange peels

There are several ways to store orange peels, and the method you choose will depend on your intended use for the peels. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to store them:

Drying Orange Peels

The first step to storing orange peels is to dry them. You can do this by spreading the peels on a plate or tray and leaving them to dry naturally. This process will take approximately two to three days. Alternatively, you can use an oven or a dehydrator to speed up the drying process.

If using an oven, set it to a low temperature, around 200°F. Spread the orange peels on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place them in the oven for about 25 to 30 minutes. If the peels start to brown, turn off the oven for a few minutes and rotate the pan. The peels are done when they curl up and become stiff.

If using a dehydrator, arrange the orange peels in a single layer on the trays and dehydrate at 135°F for about an hour or until the peels are dry and crispy.

Storing Dried Orange Peels

Once the orange peels are completely cool and dry, you can store them in an airtight container or jar. If you have ground the peels into a powder, you can store this in a spice jar.

Dried orange peels can last for up to a month at room temperature, but they will last longer, up to three months, if stored in the refrigerator. For even longer storage, you can freeze the dried peels in airtight freezer bags. While they won't spoil, dried orange peels will lose their potency and flavour over time. Therefore, it is recommended to dry and store them in small batches as needed.

Storing Candied Orange Peels

If you have made candied orange peels, these will need to be dried for one to two days before storing. Once dry, candied orange peels can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a month or frozen for up to two months.

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Frequently asked questions

Bake your orange peels in the oven for 25-30 minutes at 200°F.

Wash your oranges thoroughly, especially if they are store-bought, to remove any pesticides. Use a vegetable peeler to peel the oranges, being careful not to cut into the bitter white pith.

The orange peels are done baking when they start to curl and harden slightly.

Allow the orange peels to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

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