Dried orange slices
- Gluten Free
- Lactose Free
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Energy Kcal 26
- Carbohydrates g 6.3
- of which sugars g 6.3
- Protein g 0.1
- of which saturated fat g 0.01
- Fiber g 0.3
- Sodium mg 1
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Prep time: 10 min
- Cook time: 2 h
- Makes: 14 pieces
- Cost: Very low
- Note plus 8 hours of drying in the turned-off oven
PRESENTATION
Feel the warmth of an Italian Christmas with fettine di arancia essiccate. These golden, slightly crisp dried orange slices are really, really popular all over Italy during the holidays. And you know what? They’re a staple in traditional decorazioni natalizie con arance. So perfect for wreaths, garlands, or just tied with a ribbon on the Christmas tree. Super versatile.
The aromatic citrus scent just fills the house—especially when dried over the fireplace or on the stove, which gives a cozy, old-school vibe. Italian families? They love keeping things simple and natural. So these fette di arancia disidratate fit right in with all the homemade decorations and sweet treats everywhere in December.
Plus, across Italy, you'll find tons of creative arance essiccate fai da te projects. People arrange these tender orange slices on tables for a splash of color—pretty much—and some mix them with pine cones and cinnamon sticks for that classic Christmas look. It's fantastic.
And listen, others string them up with twine to create garlands that stretch across mantels or windows. Drying them in the oven is super popular—essiccare arance al forno. It gives a moist yet crisp texture, and the kitchen smells absolutely incredible. Each region has its own twist on this, but the love for agrumi essiccati is, well, everywhere. People really, really look forward to these decorations each year.
It’s one of those things that makes the holidays feel bright and warm—homemade and full of that special Italian charm. Even if you're not in Italy, adding fettine di arancia essiccate can bring a touch of magic to your festive setup. Seriously, why not show off this fragrant tradition? It’s a wonderful way to add a bit of Italy’s holiday spirit to your home, making everything feel just a little more special and inviting.
How to prepare Dried orange slices
To make dried orange slices, wash the oranges under running water 1, then dry them 2 and cut them into slices 0.2 inches thick 3, you should obtain about 14 slices.
Prepare the syrup: in a saucepan pour the water 4 and granulated sugar 5, heat the syrup until it almost reaches a boil 6, then turn off the heat and transfer it to a small bowl,
immerse each orange slice in the sugar syrup 7. Transfer the orange slices to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat 8. Dry the slices in a preheated static oven at 212°F for 2 hours, keeping the oven door slightly open. Then let the slices dry for another 8 hours in the turned-off oven with the door slightly open. After the indicated time, remove the orange slices from the oven 9
and make a small incision on each one with a small knife at the peel 10, through this opening, pass a colored satin ribbon 11 and tie it to create a bow. Your dried orange slices are ready to hang on your tree 12!