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Hi, I'm Hilda!

I'm the creator of Hilda's Kitchen Blog and the author of Mom's Authentic Assyrian Recipes.

Are you looking for a little inspiration and perhaps some new recipes? Then let me show you how to use unique ingredients to make delicious ethnic dishes.

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    You Are Here Home » Seasoning » Drying Orange Peels and How to Use Them

    Published: Jan 3, 2021 Updated: Jan 3, 2021 by Hilda Sterner | This post may contain affiliate links 3 Comments

    Drying Orange Peels and How to Use Them

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    orange peel pin

    Drying Orange Peels has many benefits, so the next time you eat an orange, don't toss out the peel, dry it instead! Orange Peels are loaded with orange flavor, vitamins, and fiber. The peels can be dried and used in the same way you would use orange zest. So why not simmer them in hot tea, mulled wine, or a hot toddy? Or add them to sauces, your Carne Asada Marinade, or your favorite stew!

    orange peel powder in a spoon on a wooden slab with oranges around it

    What else can you do with Dried orange peel? Here are just some possibilities:

    • Add dried orange peels to your soups for a nuance of citrus flavor.
    • When making jams, jellies, and preserves, the peels can be simmered with the fruit to enhance the flavor.
    • Mix dried and ground orange peels into cake batter, your morning smoothy, or protein shake.
    • Brew some strips of dried peels in hot water to make a delicious orange tea.

    The health benefits of orange peel are numerous! For example, according to this Healthline article, one tablespoon of orange peel has almost 3x the amount of vitamin C as the fruit itself and 4x the fiber! And these days, we're all trying to increase our vitamin C intake, aren't we?

    This same article suggests consuming orange peel in small quantities because it may be difficult to digest and could lead to stomach discomfort.

    Orange peels are rich in fiber, vitamins, and disease-fighting polyphenols. They also contain limonene, a chemical that may protect against skin cancer.

    Healthline (Can You Eat Orange Peels, and Should You?)

    What You Need for this recipe

    oranges in a plate with a blue cloth on one side of the plate
    Photo by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash

    The only ingredient you need for this recipe is oranges! You can also use tangelos, tangerines, or your favorite citrus.

    How to Dry Orange Peels

    Tip: Before you begin, make sure to thoroughly wash the oranges, especially if they're store-bought. You'll want to remove any pesticides that may be on the peel. If you can use organic oranges, or homegrown oranges, even better!

    1. Use a vegetable peeler to peel oranges, tangelos, or tangerines into very thin strips. Avoid cutting into the white, bitter pith.

    • an orange being peeled
    • orange peels on a white plate

    2. If you have a dehydrator, arrange the orange peels on the trays. Make sure to keep them in a single layer so that the air can circulate around them. Choose the 135 degrees F setting and dehydrate for approximately one hour or until the peels are dry and crispy.

    • citrus peels being dried on a dehydrator
    • holding dried citrus peels over a dehydrator

    3. An even easier and faster option is to use the oven. Spread the orange peels on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 30 minutes in a 200-degree F oven. If after 30 minutes the peels are not crispy, turn the oven off and place the tray back in the oven for 15 minutes or so.

    4. Make sure the peels are completely cooled before storing them in a spice jar.

    • dried orange peels
    • orange peels in a small jar

    Another option is to grind the peels into a powder which can be used in various recipes.

    orange powder in a spoon over a jar with other oranges around it

    Recipe FAQs and Expert Tips

    What can you do with dried orange peel?

    Add the dried strips to brown sugar to keep it from hardening, or use them to flavor white sugar or salt. Another idea would be to infuse olive oil which can be used to make Citrus Salad Dressings.

    You can also use them in sangria, or flavor simple syrup when making various pastries, including Baklava.

    How long do orange peels last?

    If stored properly, dried orange peels can last for years. If you make a larger quantity, I recommend freezing them in air-tight freezer bags for longer storage.

    Although the dried peels won't go bad, they will lose their potency and flavor over time. Luckily, they're very easy to prepare, so the best option is to dry them in small quantities as needed.

    How do you dry orange peels naturally?

    To dry the peels naturally, spread the orange peels on a plate or tray and place them somewhere where they won't be disturbed.

    It will take approximately 2 days for the orange peels to completely dry and become crisp. At that point, you can store them in a spice jar or ziplock bag or grind them into powder.

    How can I make my house smell good with orange peels?

    Place the peels in a saucepan and cover with water. You can also add cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and cardamom pods.

    Simmer the ingredients over low heat. In no time, your house will smell absolutely delicious and very inviting!

    • If the orange peels retain any of their moisture, they will eventually mold.
    • When ready, the dried orange peels should not be pliable. Instead, they should be crispy, brittle, and easily snap when bent.

    Related Recipes

    • Dehydrated Oranges (dehydrator and oven directions)
    • Pineapple Chips
    • Homemade Fruit Leather (Qamardeen)
    • Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Oil

    Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.

    You can also stay in touch with me through social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Terry Smith says

      January 04, 2021 at 5:31 pm

      Just made your vegan Biryani rice Recipe
      It is amazing? I didn’t have egg plant, so I used yellow squash and zucchini, carrots, and green peas, but no potatoes. I also used leftover chicken broth I had in the refrigerator. The spices were mild and delicious. For the two of us, I halved the recipe and have plenty of leftovers. My husband loved it, and I will pass it on to others, and make it for a friendly gathering. Thanks, Terry

      Reply
      • Hilda Sterner says

        January 05, 2021 at 3:32 pm

        Hi Terry, I'm so glad you guys enjoy it and sounds like you made some good substitutions. Would love it if you gave it a star rating! ❤️

        Reply
      • Hilda Sterner says

        January 05, 2021 at 3:34 pm

        I also just noticed you left the review on the orange peels recipe. Maybe copy and paste when you get a chance? 😬

        Reply

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    profile photo-Hilda
    Hi, I'm Hilda!

    I'm the creator of Hilda's Kitchen Blog and the author of Mom's Authentic Assyrian Recipes.

    Are you looking for a little inspiration and perhaps some new recipes? Then let me show you how to use unique ingredients to make delicious ethnic dishes.

    More about me →

    Get My Cookbook!

    cook book on a wooden board

    Cinco De Mayo

    • Mexican Carne Asada Marinade
    • Mexican Bean Dip Recipe
    • Elote in a Cup | Mexican Street Corn
    • Roasted Salsa Recipe
    • Mexican Rice Bowl (Vegetarian and Meat Options)
    • Spicy Mexican Pickled Carrots

    Featured On

    featured on

    Popular Posts

    • Marinated Sumac Onions Recipe
    • Jerusalem Artichoke Recipe (Pickled Sunchokes)
    • Elk Jerky Recipe
    • Candied Figs | Preserved Figs
    • Easy Date Syrup/Date Molasses Recipe
    • Cabbage Dolma (Dolma't Chalama)

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