Dehydrated Citrus {Oranges, Grapefruit, Lemons and Limes}

Learn how to use your dehydrator to preserve citrus wheels at the height of their ripeness. Here's how to use dehydrated grapefruit, lemons, limes, and oranges!

Kevin bought me a dehydrator a few months ago because I had the idea that I wanted one and I would really use it. Like regularly.

It's such a fun little kitchen appliance to add to my collection.

I've done jerky, trail mix, various fruit, sweet potato chips and a few other things.

A few weeks ago, I was poking around the internet in my spare time, and I found a photo of a dehydrated orange slice. My curiosity was piqued.

This recipe is dedicated to embracing the kind of curiosity that killed the cat.

Jump to:

• Tips + Tricks:
• How to use:
• Recommended tools:
• 📖 Printable Recipe

Tips + Tricks:

No. 1-> Use a mandoline! The trick to getting perfectly sliced, and evenly drying citrus wheels is a mandoline. {careful - they are fingertip killers!}

No. 2 -> Organic fruit might be a good idea because we are using the whole fruit, but like I say in my Sous Vide Limoncello post; I am not an organic elitist! Either way, wash the peel really well in hot soapy water, and Bob's your uncle.

How to Make:

When planning to dehydrate anything, you've gotta pick out the stars of the show. For this recipe, I chose to use grapefruit, lemon, lime, and orange. Be mindful of your dehydrator's capacity, though!

1. Pick the desired citrus fruit to dehydrate.
2. Using a sharp mandoline and careful hand, slice the citrus fruits into even rounds.
3. Layer in a single layer on the dehydrator trays.
4. Dehydrate until brittle when cooled.
5. Store in an airtight container for up to a month

How to use:

I've been eating them straight out of the container - nothing like being able to eat the crispy, chewy flesh. Is there a cooler way to boost your vitamin C? I think not!

Here are a few more ideas for using your dehydrated citrus slices:

• crush the dehydrated lemon sliced into coarse chunks and add to a salt grinder for lemon salt!
• using a high powered blender or food processor blend the dehydrated grapefruit slices, then add to a jar of sugar for yummy grapefruit sugar.
• dip the dehydrated orange slices into dark chocolate for an amazingly yummy treat.
• add a dehydrated lime slice to a cup of hot tea.
• use the dried citrus wheels to garnish cocktails.

Recommended tools:

I have and love this Excalibur 9 Tray Dehydrator. In a 2020 update, I can tell you that I've used my dehydrator MUCH more in recent years than the first couple I owned it. It's got plenty of capacity, built-in timers, an adjustable thermostat, and a comprehensive dehydration guide.