Old-Fashioned Homemade Dandelion Fritters: A Springtime Recipe (2024)

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The habit of making a heaping plate of dandelion fritters in the spring must be left over from my hippie days in college, but it is truly one of my favorite meals! Get brave in the kitchen and try your hand at making some delicious old-fashioned dandelion fritters from the sunny flower heads and then make up a mess of tender sauteed dandelion greens while you’re at it.

The fritters don’t taste like dandelions at all, and the greens are in the tradition of the original Southern greens you would find seasoned with onions, garlic and bacon.

Old-Fashioned Homemade Dandelion Fritters: A Springtime Recipe (2)

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As one of nature’s wonder plants, dandelions appear in the spring just when most of us are in need of a detox. Surprisingly, they are as pleasantly tasty as most other greens when young.

Dandelion is an excellent liver cleanser and blood
builder, and the herb (fresh or dried) is useful in unloading our bodies of unwanted sluggishness due to built-up toxins.

While dandelion flowers do not have as much nutritive/medicinal value as the leaves or roots, they are still excellent for you (and considered a heart tonic in herbal medicine).

We fry them in virgin coconut oil,and that is so good for you, too! This is one way to enjoy fried food without the downside.

Their mild and slightly bitter flavor is curiously addictive! If your yard is as full of them like ours, collecting is a great beginner job for your very young children as you teach about herbs and foraging.

Dandelion Fritters Recipe

Ingredients (with GF, egg-free, and dairy-free options):

  • 60-70 Dandelion flower tops
  • 3 eggs, preferably organic and free-range OR (sub one-fourth cup (65 grams) unsweetened applesauce to replace one egg).
  • 1 cup organic milk OR (sub coconut milk or almond milk for dairy-free)
  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt
  • 1/2 c. whole wheat flour and 1/2 c. fine organic ground cornmeal (some may ever react to organic cornmeal)
  • OR substitute 1 c. Brown Rice flour or your favorite GF mix can be used for a GF alternative)
  • Virgin Coconut oil OR the oil of your choice – enough for 1/8-1/4″ in your hot cast iron skillet.
  • add optional herbs (see below). I added fresh chives growing in the garden

Dandelion Fritters Directions:

  • Gather Dandelion tops during the morning when they have opened up their bright and cheerful faces to the sunshine. Leave1/4″ of the stem as a handle. Harvest only from a non-chemically treated area.
  • Rinse in cool water and pat dry on a paper towel.
  • Heat your cast iron skillet and melt coconut oil for frying, just a little deeper than if you were making pancakes.
  • For the batter, combine egg, milk, and your flour in a bowl and mix to remove lumps. At this point, if you prefer sweeter fritters, add a little maple syrup or honey, or cinnamon and a tsp. of vanilla extract. For savory fritters, you might add fresh or dried parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, chives, or even cilantro or parmesan cheese. In addition, we like to use a 1/8 tsp. of cayenne powder for a kick of flavor.
  • Prepare a skillet on the stove with coconut oil over medium heat. I prefer my cast iron.
  • Holding one of the flowers by the greens at the base, twirl the flower into the batter until covered in batter.
  • Place it into the skillet, petals down, and continue until the skillet is full. Brown the first side, then flip over to brown the other side. The stems will collapse nicely until you have mini-dandelion pancakes. We like dandelion fritters crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I keep the fritters warm in the oven to serve the family all at once.When finished, serve hot.

For a sweet treat, drizzle with maple syrup or raw honey over your dandelion fritters. We even add a touch of honey to the savory ones!

Serve dandelion fritters with sausage and sauteed greens for a marvelous old-fashion breakfast.

So if you want a sunny way to start your day, there is fine dining to be freely had from God’s pharmacy right outside your door.

By the way, DIYdandelion tincture is a valuable detoxifying tonic to keep oneself strong and clear-minded when taken for a month every spring.

Our 94 year-old neighbor Mary Guffey told me her secret!

“The miracles of nature do not seem miracles because they are so common. If no one had ever seen a flower, even adandelionwould be the most startling event in the world.” ~Anonymous

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Hi! I’m Jacqueline!

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Comments

  1. Brenda Geneau Jamieson

    Yup! I am definitely going to try this! I’ve got soooo many dandelions here. People call them weeds I call them beautiful flowers from my Father.

    Reply

  2. Laura S.

    Hi Jackie, just wanted to let you know I tried this recipe for lunch today and the fritters were surprisingly awesome. 🙂 Thanks! I miss you and your family!

    Reply

    • Jacqueline

      Woot! How neat that you made them…and did douglas like them, too? And everyone here misses you 🙁

      Reply

  3. Holly (@ Your Gardening Friend)

    I’ve eaten dandelion leaves (it was a beautiful and delicious salad I made for our dinner), and look forward to making dandelion fritters, too.

    Thanks for the recipe. I shared it on my Facebook page. 🙂

    Reply

  4. Jeremiah

    If you remove the green “crown” from the bottom of the flower, you will get rid of that bitterness. We always use an egg wash and smash saltine crackers into a powder and season with spices and dip dandelion flower in egg wash then cracker and fry til golden brown and delicious! Taste very similar to a morel mushroom! Yum!

    Reply

    • Jacqueline

      Thank you, Jeremiah! Yes, I can see the similarity to morels in texture! I wonder if you know of a gluten-free cracker…I’ll be on the lookout 🙂

      Reply

  5. Karen

    Schar Table Crackers are gluten free and the closest to saltines that I have found. They are not salty at all, so add a little salt when substituting them for saltines in a recipe. I’m going to try these dandelion recipes – they sound like fun!

    Reply

  6. Karen

    Jacqueline, Schar Table Crackers are gluten free and the closest to saltines that I have found. They are not salty at all, so add a little salt when substituting them for saltines in a recipe. I’m going to try these dandelion recipes – they sound like fun!

    Reply

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Old-Fashioned Homemade Dandelion Fritters: A Springtime Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are deep fried dandelions good for you? ›

These crispy battered and fried dandelion flowers taste amazing! They make a great appetizer or you can sprinkle some on a green salad for added crunch factor. These edible flowers are nutritional powerhouses, bursting with vitamin C.

How to use dandelions as medicine? ›

In the past, dandelion roots and leaves were used to treat liver problems. Native Americans also boiled dandelion in water and took it to treat kidney disease, swelling, skin problems, heartburn, and upset stomach.

Can you make a dandelion tincture? ›

In an air-tight container, pour vodka over the chopped dandelion roots, completely covering them. 3. After a quick stir, seal the container and allow it to sit in a cool dark place for 1 - 3 months, dandelion roots need at least 1 month to infuse into the tincture.

What is the downside of dandelions? ›

Dandelions are highly invasive plants native to Eurasia, and they damage local ecosystems. Their pollen is low in protein and is inadequate even for generalist honeybees. It's typically even worse for native bees, which generally have more specific pollen requirements.

Are dandelions healthier than spinach? ›

Dandelions pack a whole lot of vitamins and minerals into a small plant. “They're probably the most nutritionally dense green you can eat — outstripping even kale or spinach,” Geib says. Dandelion greens, in particular, are a great source of vitamins and minerals such as: Vitamins A, C and K.

What organ is dandelion good for? ›

May promote liver health

Other animal studies have shown that dandelion extract may reduce excess fat stored in the liver and safeguard against oxidative stress ( 5 ). However, human research is needed. Animal studies indicate that dandelion may protect against liver damage, but more research is needed in humans.

What are 2 things dandelions can be used for? ›

The dandelion's flowers can also be used to make wine and even dandelion honey. Dandelion roots can be used to make dandelion tea. Harvest and wash the roots and then run them through a food processor. Dry the resulting processed roots in a low oven or dehydrator until completely dry.

Can I eat dandelions from my yard? ›

All parts of a dandelion plant are edible, from the top of the yellow flower down to the roots. The green leaves of the dandelion can make a healthy addition to salads, sandwiches, omelets, and more.

What not to mix dandelion with? ›

What other drugs will affect dandelion?
  • lithium;
  • an antibiotic, such as Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox, Noroxin, and others;
  • a blood thinner or medicine to treat or prevent blood clots;
  • a diuretic or "water pill";
  • heart or blood pressure medication; or.
  • a sedative such as Valium.
May 30, 2023

Can you cook dandelions and eat them? ›

Dandelion greens can be used just as you might cook with kale, chard, mustard greens, or spinach. Depending on the size of the leaves, you may need to cook the larger, heartier greens for a little longer to allow them to break down.

How to get bitterness out of dandelion? ›

Leaching: This is the process mentioned earlier of boiling out the water soluble sesquiterpenes, leaving a wonderfully rich flavor. In my experience, using fresh, rapidly growing greens, you only have to boil them once for three to five minutes for them to release most of their bitterness.

What is the best oil to infuse with dandelions? ›

The oil you use to make your dandelion oil can have additional benefits. Sesame oil is considered especially helpful for reducing inflammation, so it's an excellent choice if you're planning to use your dandelion oil for soothing sore muscles. For skincare, jojoba oil is extra-softening.

Who should not take dandelion tincture? ›

Special Precautions and Warnings

Dandelion might cause allergic reactions, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, or heartburn in some people. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if dandelion is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

How to make a dandelion elixir? ›

Directions:
  1. Rinse dandelion flowers thoroughly.
  2. Bring water to a boil. Add sugar and stir to combine.
  3. Let cool, strain and bottle.
  4. Add 1/2 teaspoon of active dry yeast to the bottle and close. Wait for four days for the carbonation to begin. Wait enough days for the desired level of carbonation to be reached.
Nov 4, 2020

Are cooked dandelions good for you? ›

Highly nutritious

From root to flower, dandelions are highly nutritious plants loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Dandelion greens can be eaten cooked or raw and are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K. They also contain vitamin E, folate, and small amounts of other B vitamins.

What is the healthiest way to eat dandelions? ›

Sauteeing the greens with olive oil and garlic is a good treatment for any leafy green. Boil the greens for 5 minutes, then sautee them in a pan of hot olive oil and garlic for up to 5 minutes. Baked. Similar to how you might bake kale chips, you can make dandelion leaf chips by baking them in your oven.

What are the benefits of roasted dandelion? ›

The potential benefits of dandelion include:
  • Providing antioxidants. Antioxidants work to neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals. ...
  • Reducing cholesterol. ...
  • Regulating blood sugar. ...
  • Reducing inflammation. ...
  • Lowering blood pressure. ...
  • Aiding weight loss. ...
  • Reducing cancer risk. ...
  • Boosting the immune system.

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