Dried Orange Peels

Here's how to make dried orange peels. They're deeply flavorful and useful in spice blends, sauces, tea, and cocktails.

Having a stash of dehydrated citrus will serve you well! It's really easy to make - we'll show you how to make dried orange peels in just a few steps, how to store them, and recipes to use them.

Why You Should Make Dried Citrus Peels

Dehydrated orange peels are really easy to make and they're so useful. They do take a few minutes to dehydrate in the oven, but they keep well, so do a bunch at once and save them to use for several months.

They're also a wonderful DIY hostess or holiday gift. Gift a bunch of them in a jar with a list of ways to use them!

Slices of orange peels on a cutting board.

Orange Peel FAQs

What are the best types of oranges to use?

When you're making dried orange peels, you want to use oranges that are organic and pesticide-free. Because you'll be eating the peel, which in conventional oranges will have some pesticide build-up, this is one time that organic is important.

Otherwise, you can use any type of oranges to make dried orange peels. We've dried Cara Cara oranges, navel oranges, and all types of mandarines. They're all delicious.

Can any citrus fruit skin be dried?

You can use any type of citrus to make dried peels. They'll have different flavors, but the method will be the same for all of them.

What is dried orange peel used for?

Dried orange peel is often used as an ingredient in rubs and spice blends, in tea blends, as a garnish in cocktails, and in baked goods.

Here are some fun ways to use dried orange peels - crush or mince it and add it to rice for a citrusy kick, sprinkle it on top of a bean soup, add it to a roasted vegetable dish, or add it to vodka or gin for an infused liquor.

Dried orange peels on a small metal plate.

Recipes with Dried Orange Peels

You can use dried orange peels in a lot of different recipes! Here's what to do with dried orange peels.

Shichimi Togarashi - a peppery Japanese spice blend, typically made from a mix of chili peppers, orange peel, sesame seeds, ginger, and nori.
DIY Orange Liqueur Recipe - make your own orange liqueur, also known as curaçao or triple sec.
Orange Beef - this orange beef dish (chun pi niu in mandarin) is a nice change of pace, with really interesting, complex flavors. One important ingredient is the dried mandarin orange peel.