How to Dry Acorns for Crafts

Co-authored by Diane Henkler

Last Updated: December 21, 2024 Approved

Acorns, the nut from oak trees, are a commonly harvested food that are eaten raw or used in recipes. Acorns usually ripen and fall in September and October. There is often an overabundance of acorns and they can alternatively be used for crafts. Children can use them to make murals, buttons and other creations, or adults may use them to frame mirrors and candle holders. Whatever acorn crafts you have in mind, there are a few best practices to follow when drying acorns for crafts. Insects often hide inside the shell and you can safely and effectively destroy the risk of future insect problems. This article will tell you how to dry acorns for crafts.

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1
Harvest acorns from red and white oak trees as soon as they fall off the trees, if possible. They may be green, tan or brown. The more time they are on the ground, the higher the possibility will be that they may be attacked by insects.
- Acorns are a large portion of a squirrel's diet. They are quick to harvest the best acorns, and you will see them actively hunting when the acorns are ripe.
Brush them gently with a nylon brush to remove dirt, insect larvae and leaves.^{[1]
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Lay your acorns out across a towel to dry them for 1 hour. Throw away any nuts that are already molding or decaying. These nuts will not retain the look of healthy nuts in your craft projects.
- If you find any acorns with tiny holes in them, this is a sign that insects have been inside them. Drying them for crafts will kill the insects so it is up to your discretion whether you want to save these acorns.^{[2]
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Lay your acorns in a single layer on a cookie sheet with a lip on it. Place your acorns in the preheated oven.^{[3]
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This will allow the moisture to escape from the acorn kernels as they dry.^{[4]
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Leave the acorns in for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, to ensure they dry completely. Remove them from the oven when they have dried.
Remove any acorns that may have burned in the process of drying. Allow your acorns to cool on a wire rack for an hour before attempting to use them.
You can attach them using glue or hot glue. Look for acorn craft ideas in magazines, blogs or crafting books.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Do I need to rinse acorns to clean them?

Diane Henkler
Crafting and Home DIY Specialist
Diane Henkler is a Crafting and Home DIY Specialist based in Lexington, South Carolina. She is the owner and creator of InMyOwnStyle.com, a crafting, DIY, and home design blog. She started her blog in 2009, and has now been blogging about affordable decorating, creative DIYs, and lifestyle tips for 15 years. Her career background was in retail display curation, which led her into the world of DIY decorating and home design. In her blog, she features pieces on decorating inspiration, seasonal holiday decor projects, organization strategies, room makeover guides, painting tutorials, furniture restoration tips, and more. Diane’s blog demonstrates how decorating a home does not have to be hard, expensive or time consuming. Through her posts, she shares decorating advice, ideas, project how-to’s, and more, furthering her mission to help her readers create beautiful homes, especially on a budget. She also creates tutorials and educates followers on her social media crafting channels.

Diane Henkler

Crafting and Home DIY Specialist

Expert Answer

Yes, you should give them a quick rinse in a bowl of water. Doing this helps wash off any surface dirt, leaves, or loose debris. However, just rinsing them isn’t enough—there might still be insect larvae inside. After rinsing, lay the acorns out on a baking sheet and put them in the oven at a low temperature, around 200°F, for about 30 minutes. This gentle heat dries them out and kills any hidden bugs, so they’re safe and ready for your project. Remember to let the acorns cool for a bit before using them for your project.

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How do I maintain the color of the acorns when drying them?

Beth H.

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You can use clear acrylic to preserve and protect them.

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Do I have to clean acorn caps too before using them for crafts?

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Yes, if you want them preserved for a longer time period; otherwise, your caps will age and your nuts will not.

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Acorns that are dried in this manner can also be eaten. However, drying acorns for eating is usually done by letting them sit out and air dry over a period of weeks or months. Oven drying acorns causes them to lose their moisture and lose their freshness. They can only be eaten for 1 to 2 months after oven drying.

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If you are air drying the acorns, make sure it is somewhere free of squirrels, insect larvae, and other harmful stuff.

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