Every winter, I love filling the house with natural elements—things that feel both old-world and handmade. And one of the simplest, most beautiful decorations you can make is a bowl of cut, dried mandarins.

European-Inspired Orange Decor

These dried, cut oranges are rustic, fragrant, and look like tiny glowing lanterns when the light hits them. It’s simple yet special decor that brings freshness to your home during the holidays. I have loved stringing dried orange garland around the house the past couple holidays and these whole split mandarins bring our home decor full circle (pun intended :)).

Dehydrated whole slit fruit has been used to decorate for the holidays for generations, especially in Europe. They transform ordinary fruit into something warm, textural, and timeless. And the best part? They’re incredibly simple to make in the oven or with a dehydrator!

• What you’ll need
• How to slit your mandarins
• Drying the mandarins
• How to use in your decor
• Questions about these dried oranges
• Printable instruction card
• More winter decor

What You’ll Need to Make Whole Slit Mandarins

• Firm mandarins, clementines, or small tangerines – as many as you’d like
• A sharp paring knife
• A cutting board
• Optional: whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise for styling

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How to Cut Mandarins for Drying

This method creates natural “petal” shapes as the fruit dehydrates, giving you that signature winter look.

1. Start with firm citrus.

Softer fruit collapses while drying. Choose mandarins that feel heavy and tight-skinned.

2. Make 6–8 vertical cuts around the fruit.

• Hold the mandarin stem-side up.
• Cut downward from top to bottom, stopping about ¼ inch before the top so the slices stay connected.
• Space your cuts evenly around the fruit (like slicing a pie, but stopping short at the top).
• Make sure your cuts go deep enough to reach the flesh, but not so deep that pieces fall off.

3. Gently open the cuts with your fingers.

Just enough to let air inside — this helps them dry faster and gives them that pretty “flowering” shape.

4. Optional: Add whole cloves.

This is called a “pomander.” Stemming from Medieval times, these fragrant-filled fruits were thought to ward off illness and bad luck going into the new year. A few cloves pressed into the natural openings add fragrance and a classic old-world look.

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Drying the Cut Mandarins

You can use either an oven or a dehydrator for the drying process!

Oven Method

1. Preheat oven to 170–200°F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
3. Place mandarins cut-side up with a little space between each.
4. Dry for 3–5 hours, flipping every hour.
5. When the outside looks leathery and the cuts have opened slightly, turn off the oven and let them sit inside as it cools.

Dehydrator Method

• Place mandarins on trays.
• Dry at 135°F for 10–18 hours, depending on size.

Tip:

They will continue to shrink and deepen in color over several days. The final result is firm, lightweight, and beautifully textured.

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How to Use Dried Mandarins in Holiday Decor

These little citrus ornaments add warmth to:

• Holiday wreaths
• Winter bouquets or evergreen stems
• Gift toppers
• Garlands
• Table centerpieces
• Simple bowls or wooden trays on the counter
• In a bed of winter greens
• Hang with twine and use as ornaments

Their color deepens into a rich amber-orange, their scent mellows, and they add that handmade, timeless feel that makes a winter home feel lived-in and loved.

P.S: you can use the extra rinds in a winter simmer pot!

Questions about making Whole Dried Mandarins

How do I prevent dried mandarins from molding?

Don’t store right away. It’s crucial to make sure they air dry for long enough (about 1 to 2 weeks), which is a great excuse to let them grace your Christmas tree and dining table for a little longer!

How do I store slit mandarins?

Once dry, store mandarins in an airtight container along with the rest of your holiday decorations. They’ll last all winter and can be reused season after season.

Can I slit other whole fruits?

Yes! This method works for limes, lemons, or grapefruit. Just make sure you chose a firm fruit as you would with mandarins.

Why do they present in different colors?

The orange color will vary due to the chemical reaction in each orange – some will end up darker and some lighter than others. This natural variation is another part of why using natural elements in your decorating is so special!

Where can I buy a food dehydrator?

I got mine from Amazon – it’s easy to store and I can dehydrate all of my oranges at once! I also use it to make homemade fruit leather.

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Printable Instruction Card

Pin for Later!

Closing Thoughts

I hope these European-Inspired Whole Slit Mandarins give your Christmas and winter decor a new life this season, and I encourage you to put on your creativity glasses as you go through the new year, you never know what travel or what experiences will bring about ideas for ways you can brighten up your home! Use #heartysol if you share your creation!

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