I used my air fryer to turn ordinary oranges into a gorgeous Christmas garland – here's how to recreate the look

If you love crafting your own holiday decorations, you’ll love this air fryer hack. I've spent years drying orange slices on my radiator, but the process can take several days and raise your energy bills.

This year, I used my air fryer on a low heat setting – and made perfect dried orange slices for my DIY Christmas decor in 45 minutes.

Once dried, orange slices are incredibly versatile. You can use them in festive wreaths, gift-wrapping accents, potpourri, or even as elegant cocktail garnishes.

This guide will walk you through the simple steps to dry orange slices in your air fryer and how to store them for future holiday seasons. It's the gift that keeps on giving.

How to dry orange slices in the air fryer

If you're wondering how to dry orange slices for your Christmas decorations, it’s easier than you might think.

First, check if your air fryer has a dehydrate function. This ideal for drying orange slices because it operates at a lower temperature (120-140°F) and preserves the fruit’s color. The consistent heat and air circulation ensure even drying, without burning. Plus, you don't have to turn the slices regularly, so you can get on with other tasks.

However, a basic air fryer should work fine, too – this is what I have at home and it worked well with the following recipe.

1. Start by slicing your oranges into ½-inch (1 cm) thick rounds.
2. Lay them out on parchment paper and place them into the air fryer basket or crisper tray. Dry thoroughly with a paper towel.
3. If your air fryer has a dehydrate function, use it and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If not, set your air fryer to the lowest heat setting (around 200°F, but ideally no hotter).
4. Check the progress after 15 minutes, just in case your air fryer is particularly strong (not every model is made equally!)
5. After about 30 minutes, flip the slices, then cook for an additional 15 minutes, checking regularly to prevent over-browning.
6. The slices are ready when the flesh is firm and dry to the touch. Once cooled, you can thread them onto string for a garland, or use them however you like.

The results

I was super proud of my homemade orange garland, which I've hung in my living room window. It catches the light like a stained glass window, which feels very Christmassy and beautiful.

Top tips & alternatives

If your air fryer doesn’t go below 200°F, I recommend using an oven instead. For this method, preheat to a low temperature of around 275°F (140°C or gas mark 1). Place the orange slices on a baking sheet or wire rack and bake for about 3 hours, turning them occasionally until they're perfectly dried.

How to use dried orange slices

• Use dried orange slices in holiday wreaths
• Create a seasonal bowl centerpiece
• Hang them as Christmas tree ornaments
• Add to homemade candles or soaps for decoration
• Create a garland for the mantel or window
• Include in DIY potpourri
• Use in gift baskets or wrapping paper accents
• Add to holiday cocktails for a festive twist

How to preserve your decor

Storing your orange slices is key to making them last for future years. First, you need to make sure you have dried them thoroughly – if you haven’t done so, or store them in a damp or humid space, mold can creep in and ruin them.

Outside of the festive season, store them in an airtight container such as a Ziploc bag or a glass jar with an air-tight lid, like this from Amazon. If you’ve recently washed your container, ensure it is totally dry before adding the orange slices. Store them well, and you’ll have them ready and waiting to combine with fresh Christmas foliage ideas year on year.

FAQS

Can you dry whole oranges for Christmas decorations?

Drying oranges for Christmas decorations is a great alternative to drying slices. An oven is a better method for this, since it's bigger and the process can take up to 3 hours.

‘To score and decorate oranges and other citrus fruits, invest in a fruit channel knife to get a neat and consistent finish,’ says Country Homes & Interiors stylist Sara Bird. ‘Carefully score a pattern. Either leave as they are or decorate with clove studs. To easily add these, pierce the peel with a skewer where required then push in a clove.’

How long will dried orange slices last? 

The best bit about drying orange slices is that once you’ve completed a batch, you have a set of Christmas decorations to use for future holidays.

If you dry and store your oranges properly, the slices should be good for at least two years, and often much longer. To store, place them in a completely dry airtight container until the next holiday season.

‘Be mindful that the fragrance won’t last although they will still look good,’ advises Lucy Searle, global editor of Homes & Gardens. ‘To enjoy the fragrance of orange slices you will need to dry a new batch in the oven next year.’