Awhile back, I posted instructions for orange bites – – lightly dehydrated orange section halves which are dry on the outside, but juicy on the inside. With one bite you get a “pop” of orange juice in your mouth, but your fingers don’t get sticky. Great for lunches. Dehydrated orange slices are fully dehydrated, and my kids’ new favorite snack.
Four pound bags of navel oranges were $1.89 at Aldi this week. I’ve seen a better price there, but it’s still good. I only bought three bags, making orange bites, serving some fresh, and dehydrating orange slices. This is a pretty brainless process – – wash, slice, and put on the drying trays. I dehydrated my slices at 135 degrees for about 12 hours. However, I sliced mine pretty thin using my deli slicer. If you slice them thicker, it will take longer. I would say shoot for 1/4 inch thickness. The sliced oranges pictured below are sliced thicker than the ones in the jar above. I’m playing around with thickness.
I originally intended on drying these for emergency purposes, and maybe to pretty up a pitcher of water, but then my kids asked to eat them – – delicious. A few slices temporarily satisfies their incessant sweet teeth, and they honestly feel like they are getting a treat. Instead of buying them the processed gummy snacks, I offer them fruit, which I dry myself. Much cheaper, and certainly healthier.
I started canning fruit this winter but I want to get into dehydrating soon. My name is Katie and I host Inspired Weekends, open from Friday to Thursday. I would love to have you link up!
Stupid question but once Dehydrated in tiny slices-is the Powell small enough is edible?
DocPegLegRed – – Can you please clarify what a “Powell” is?
I think he may mean PEAL. I was wondering the same thing.
Katie, thank you so much for reading my blog! Dehydrating is fun, and you should for sure give it a try. Thank you for the offer to link up to your site. I’ll check it out!
So beautiful and healthy too. Want to taste some. What a nice decoration for the kitchen!