How to Make Dried Lemon Wheels
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Dried lemon slices - a/k/a wheels are a great way to use up extra lemons you may have on had. Even without excess lemons to use they are a really interesting food item to have on hand for a variety of uses.
Drying Lemon Slices for Lemon Wheels
Drying lemon slices to create lemon wheels is a simple yet smart way to preserve the bright, tangy flavor of lemons while adding a decorative and versatile element to your culinary and cocktail repertoire. These little aesthetic beauties are so incredibly useful! From decoration baked goods, lending their soothing comfort to a hot tea, to adding depth to a curry AND to a gorgeous cocktail garnish - there is so. so so much to love about making cocktail wheels AND it’s dead easy. So if you’re ready, let's delve into the wonders of drying lemon slices and explore the myriad of ways you can incorporate them into your kitchen adventures.
Why Dry Lemon Slices?
Drying lemon slices transforms these citrus gems into concentrated bursts of flavor. By removing their moisture content, you're left with intensely zesty wheels. Plus, drying lemons is an excellent method for preserving their goodness, ensuring you can enjoy their flavor long after the harvest season has passed. For me, as I have 4 lemon trees - I find this a great way to help use up a lemon glut and make sure I have lemons year round. I also happen to LOVE lemons so keeping them on hand is a lovely thing.
Dried Lemon Wheels - Many Uses, Endless Possibilities
The beauty of dried lemon wheels lies in their versatility which in my opinion only multiplies when they’re in dried wheel form. I know that lemon are prized for their juice and you can’t help but think of a cold lemonade but trust me - the reach of a dried lemon wheel in your kitchen is far and makes the time it takes to dehydrate them worth it. Trust me. Honestly and ultimately however - they are just so gorgeous and aesthtetic they’re nice to see in the pantry - am I shallow? It’s just so satisfying to look at the little round beauties.
Not yet convinced?. Here are just a few ways you can use them:
Garnish cocktails
Add to a hot tea
Decorate cakes and cupcakes with them
Drop a few wheels into a curry for added depth
Adorn fish dishes
Infuse hot drinks
Infuse vinegars and oils
Add to your marinade for extra flavor
Potpourri
Give to friends!
How to make dried lemon wheels
There are many ways you can achieve dried lemon wheels. I’ll touch on 3 of them.
A food dehydrator. This is the method I use as I do have a proper food dehydrator which I LOVE and find very useful!
Your oven
How to make lemon wheels in a food dehydrator
Wash your lemons to remove any insects, dirt or pesticides. Then thinly slice them and place on a piece of parchment paper in a single layer on the trays from your dehyrator. Fill all the shelves and set your dehydrator to a low setting for about 8 hours. Do check on them around the 6 hour mark because depending on size and thickness they may dry enough to remove. Once fully dry, store the lemon wheels in a clean dry mason jar.
How to make lemon wheels in an oven
Wash your lemons to remove any insects, dirt or pesticides. Then thinly slice them and place on a piece of parchment paper, single layer on a baking tray in the oven set to 200 degrees Fahrenheit . Bake for about 2 hours. They may need more or less time depending on the size and thickness of your slices so do keep an eye on them and leave them in the oven if they are not dry enough.
How long do lemon wheels keep for and how do you store them?
If you dry your lemon wheel fully and store them in a cool dry and clean mason jar then they will keep for several months and retain their flavor and aroma. Do however check their viability after some time has passed to be sure no mold is growing in the chance that there was some moisture still present. Again, it's essential to ensure they are fully dehydrated and stored correctly to prevent spoilage. I keep mine in a clean dry mason jar in the pantry which is quite cool. You can also freeze them for longer storage. Putting them in a freezer-safe bag or container can extend their viability for up to a year.
Are lemon wheels good for you? The Nutritional Benefits of lemon wheels
Lemons are renowned for their high vitamin C content, antioxidants, and other health-boosting properties. When dried, these nutrients become even more concentrated, making dried lemon slices a nutritious addition to your diet. Vitamin C supports immune function, while antioxidants help combat oxidative stress in the body.
How to Make Dried Lemon Wheels- Conclusion
Drying lemon slices to create lemon wheels is a fantastic way to preserve the essence of this citrus fruit while unlocking a world of culinary possibilities. From garnishing cocktails to infusing oils and enhancing baked goods, the uses for dried lemon slices are as diverse as they are delicious. So, the next time you find yourself with a surplus of lemons, consider drying them—you'll be amazed at the zestful transformation that awaits!
