How to Dry Lemon Peels at Home? [Step by Step]

Citrus limon falls under the miniature evergreen tree species; it is known for its distinct scent, color, and vitamins. Dried lemon peels are consumed for their antioxidant properties and because they boost the immune system.

If you’re in search of methods to make dried lemon peel powder for using it in teas or as seasoning mixes, you should consider dehydrating your lemon peels.

But, there is a multitude of ways for doing so; which is the best? We have included hours of research and experience in concluding five simple ways for drying lemon peels.

Store your Lemon Peels Before you Dry Them

There is no necessity to collect lemon peels in just a single day. You can simply store lemon peels in a fridge for a week instead of having to peel many on the very same day.

The below-outlined methods are used for drying lemon peels in varying quantities.

Therefore, if you are drying several lemon peels, you can refer to the suggestion provided above.

How to Dry Lemon Peels Using a Food Dehydrator

Dry Lemon Peels Using an Oven

Using an oven to dry your lemon peels is an easy and quick method. This approach works best with small lemons and ensures no compromise on flavor once the peels are dehydrated.

Peel the Lemon

Wash your lemons to get rid of any dirt on the peel, and use a sharp knife to peel your lemon. The bitter white pith under the colored peel is usually avoided.

Preheat your Oven

Set the temperature to the lowest possible temperature. Since an oven does not have the same low-temperature setting as a food dehydrator, the finished lemon peels would be different.

They would be darker in color and have a different taste. They would have a more roasted-like texture.

You can watch what texture should the peels be here:

Arrange your Lemon Peels

On a cookie sheet or baking pan, spread out the lemon peels.

Dry your Lemon Peels

Bake the lemon peels until they are fully dry, crisp, and easily snap in half on a low heat setting.

In the oven, this could take anything from a few hours to a full day to dry.

Let them cool – Enable the thin lemon peel ribbons to partially air-dry at room temperature for a few hours.

Dry Lemon Peels Using a Microwave

Using a microwave to dry your lemon peels is the fastest method there is. In case you require dried lemon peels urgently for preparing something, you can use this method.

Wash your Lemons

Rinse your lemons under running water and rub them with your fingers to get rid of any dirt on the peel.

Grate the Lemons

Rub the outside of the lemon against a grater. Only the yellow part of the fruit should be removed. You should avoid grating as soon as the white pith appears.

Arrange the Lemons

Cover the paper plate with two sheets of paper towels. Place the grated lemon peel in a ring above the paper towels.

Heat the Lemon Peels

Microwave the grated lemon peels on high for 12-13 minutes at 70 percent power and stir them when you have heated them halfway through.

Keep an Eye

Watch your lemon peels while they are drying to ensure they don’t get burnt.

Let them Cool

Let your dried lemon peels cool for a few hours before you keep them away to store them.

Dry Lemon Peels Using Sun-dried

Placing lemon peels under the sun to dry is the easiest method for drying. You will not need any equipment for doing so, and your dried peels will be ready in just a few hours.

Peel the Lemon

Wash your lemons to get rid of any dirt on the peel. Use a vegetable brush to scrub the lemon and then pat it dry once done.

Use a vegetable peeler to peel the fruit. The bitter white pith under the colored peel is usually avoided.

Arrange the Lemon Peels

Fresh lemon peels should be placed on a black baking sheet. Make sure they aren’t overlapping one another so each of them can get evenly dried.

Therefore, arrange your lemon peels in a single layer.

Dry the Lemon Peels

Place them to dry in an area exposed the most to sunlight.

Check your Lemon Peels

The lemon peels will dry to a crisp in just a few hours and will be ready to be pulverized.

Let them Cool

Remember to use a potholder to pick up the baking sheet if you have sensitive hands because it will be extremely hot!

Place them aside to chill for a few hours before you store them or use them.

Dry Lemon Peels Using Counter-drying

Placing your lemon peels to dry on a counter is as easy as sun-drying them. This method requires a few days to give you dried lemon peels.

Wash the Lemons

Wash your lemons to get rid of any dirt on the peel. Make sure you rub the lemon with your fingers while washing it to ensure it is cleaned properly.

Peel the Lemons

Use a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler to peel your lemons. The bitter white pith under the colored peel is usually avoided.

Arrange your Lemon Peels

Allow the lemon peels to dry on a dish or baking pan.

Dry the Lemon Peels

Set them for several days, tossing them every day or so. Again, the smaller the peel, the quicker it dries.

Keep an Eye

When the lemon peels quickly crack and break in half rather than bending, you know they are done and have appropriately dried.

Dry Lemon Peels Using Radiators

Radiators are used to dry lemon peels as well. This is a not-so-common alternative, but it is equally effective as the other methods.

Wash the Lemons

Wash your lemons to get rid of any dirt on the peel. Make sure you rub the lemon with your fingers while washing it to ensure it is cleaned properly.

Peel the Lemons

Use a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler to peel your lemons. The bitter white pith under the colored peel is usually avoided.

Arrange the Lemon Peels

Place your lemon peels on small ceramic or metal containers in a single layer. Make sure they aren’t overlapping for each peel to dry evenly.

Dry the Lemon Peels

Use the heat from radiators to dry your lemon peels.

Keep an Eye on the Lemon Peels

Watch your lemon peels as they dry. They will take a few days to a week to dry completely.

Let them Cool

Place your peels aside after they have dried. When the lemon peels quickly crack and break in half rather than bending, you
know they are done and have dried properly.

The Importance of Skin Size of Lemon for Dehydrating its Peels

The skin size of lemon plays a vital role when it comes to dehydrating lemon peels. Eureka lemons have thick skins, and you will need to get rid of the white pith that’s bitter with a spoon.

Thin-skin lemons like Meyer lemons are recommended if you want to dry lemon peels because you would not need to worry much about the white pith since it’s very little.

The Shelf-time of Dried Lemon Peels

Dried lemon peel can keep its best quality for around 2 to 3 years if stored properly.

Store dried lemon peel purchased in bulk in containers with tight-fitting lids to extend its shelf life and improve flavor and potency.

The Right Way to tell When Dried Lemon Peels are Proper

To see if the dried lemon peel is still useful, do the following – Rub or grind a small amount in your palm, then taste and smell it.

If the scent is faint and the flavor is not discernible, substitute the dried lemon peel.

The Proper Way to Store Dried Lemon Peels

In an airtight glass container, such as a mason jar with a tight-fitting seal, store the finished lemon powder.

A canning funnel is extremely useful for transferring power into a container without spilling it.

Keep the container somewhere dry and cool. You can also have it in your pantry.

Your homemade lemon peel powder can last for over a year if properly dried and stored. That is if you do not use it often.

Our Take on Which Method is Best

You can refer to sun-drying your lemon peels or drying them on a countertop if you wish to not use any equipment. These two methods are quite safe when it comes to avoiding burnt lemon peels.

If you don’t live in a place with sufficient sunlight, you can use an oven, microwave, or food dehydrator to dehydrate lemon peels in bulk quantities.

FAQs

Bottom line

Discussed above are the six most effective ways for drying your lemon peels. You can go for an alternative depending on the number of lemon peels you are drying and how soon you require them.

We are hoping that this article has proved to be of some benefit to you on how to dry lemon peels at home with ease.

Share it with your colleagues and family, and drop a few comments below regarding any questions you have. All your doubts and feedback will be acknowledged.