How To Dry Orange Peels

Dried orange peel is called for in recipes, potpourris, mulling spices and so much more. Drying your own orange peels is super simple and cost-effective when you can't find it in your local grocery store.

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dried orange peel on a parchment lines sheet tray

I was making homemade bitters for cocktails when I realized I had more oranges than I could use before they went bad. So I dried the peels for future use!

Ingredients needed:

Orange - I will use a navel orange or any other variety of orange that has a smooth, unblemished skin.

Notes on the ingredients

Because you are consuming the peel of the orange and not just the inside fruit, I choose an organic orange. There is a nondetectable amount of fungicides found in organic oranges.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

Vegetable peeler - I use the red, straight edge one in this set. It fits my hand perfectly!
Sheet pan - this one has edges and I like edges when I am having to stir what I am drying part way through the drying proess.
Parchment paper - It just makes the clean up porcess so easy. And parchment paper is reusable!

How to make dried orange peels

orange rind in strips and diced for drying.

Wash and dry oranges.
Peel the orange part of the orange.
Chop the orange rhind.
Bake at 250 in 15-minute increments until dried.
Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Making dried orange peels

Wash and dry oranges.
Using a vegetable peeler, remove the orange color along with a bit of the white pith of the orange.
Stack the peels on top of each other and slice into strips.
Cut in the opposite direction to dice the peels.
Sprinkle on a parchment paper-lined baking pan.
Bake at 250 in 15-minute increments, stiring every 15 minutes, until dried.
Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

How to make powdered orange peels

Wash and dry oranges.
Peel the orange part of the orange catching just a small bit of the white pith.
Chop the orange rhind and sprinkle the diced peels on a parchment paper-lined baking pan.
Bake at 250 in 15-minute increments until dried, stirring every 15 minutes.
Cool completely and place in a blender, food processor or high speed belnder. Pulse until pulverized and then blend until it becomes a powder consistancy.
Store in a cool dry place in an air tight container.

What is orange peel powder used for?

Anti inflammatory and can help reverse sun damage.
Use in a face-mask to help reduce the look of pores.
Add to your shower cream as a gentle exfoliator. Learn more about the skin benefits of orange peel powder.

Storage Tips

If you store your peels in an air-tight container and store them in a dark, cool, dry place, dried orange peels will last for up to 3 years. I don't make a large batch more than once a year because it can last me that long. Just be sure that they are completely dried before storing.

Recipes with dried orange peels

I use them in recipes such as mulling spices but they can also be added to a tea blend to bring bright flavors to your cup of tea. If your peels are super dried, you can pulse them in a food processor until they become orange peel powder. Often that is a hard-to-find ingredient and you can make it at home!

Add it to icing for Cherry scones
Use a spoonful in a simmer pot along with cranberries, cinnamon and cloves.
Add some to your tea diffuser for a burst of bright citrus flavor.
Include orange peel powder in marinades for beef recipes such as flank steak fajitas.

Frequently asked questions, answers and tips:

Can you use dried orange peel in place of orange zest?

Personally, I would not use dried orange peel in place of orange zest. Orange zest is fresh and full of orange oil whereas dried orange peel is dried and crunchy. They are not interchangeable.

How To Make Dried Orange Peel

Sarah Mock

5 from 2 votes

Dried orange peel is called for in recipes, potpourris, mulling spices and so much more. Drying your own orange peels is super simple and cost effective for when you can't find it in your local grocery store.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 45

Total Time 50

3 servings

Ingredients

6 Oranges

Method

Wash and dry oranges.
Using a vegetable peeler, remove the orange color along with a bit of the white pith of the orange.
Stack the peels on top of each other and slice into strips.
Cut in the opposite direction to dice the peels.
Sprinkle on a parchment paper lined baking pan.
Bake at 250 in 15 minute increments until dried, stirring every 15 minutes.
Cool completely before storing in an air tight container.

Equipment

Nutrition

Notes

The amount of dried orange peel will depend on how many oranges you use.

Be sure to stir the peels as they bake. Once every 15 minutes until dry.

I use them in recipes such as mulling spices but they can also be added to a tea blend to bring bright flavors to your cup of tea. If your peels are super dried, you can pulse them in a food processor until they become orange peel powder. Often that is hard to find ingredient and you can make it at home!

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Nutrition Discolure

Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

I am Sarah Mock. Welcome!

Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 15 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.

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