Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

This Dandelion Fritters recipe is made with freshly foraged Dandelion Flowers, dipped in a flour-cornmeal batter with thyme, paprika, Kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper, and then deep-fried in a cast-iron skillet. You can top them with freshly chopped chives or your favorite green garnish. They are crispy and easy to make!

Dandelion Fritters

Hi Everyone, have you tried Dandelion Flowers?

This little flower (plus the leaves) has vitamins and minerals.

These little, crispy fritters are super easy to make in a short amount of time.

Can this Recipe be made to be Gluten-Free?

Technically, you could make this recipe gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with Gluten-Free flour (in the same amount), if you do so, I recommend Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Gluten-Free Flour.

I have not personally tried this, if you do so, let us know in the comments at the end of the post.

Key Things to Remember When Foraging and Cleaning Dandelion Flowers

• harvest them from a low-traffic area, away from animals/pets
• harvest them only from an area where there's no herbicide or pesticide used - that would be harmful to your health
• Clean the Dandelion Flowers thoroughly by soaking for 10-15 minutes in fresh cool water and drain, I recommend using a salad spinner to get them dry before dipping in the batter and frying. Alternately, you can pat dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen/tea towel.

What are the Health Benefits of Dandelions?

According to Healthline.com:

Dandelion greens can be eaten cooked or raw and serve as an excellent source of vitamins A, C and K. They also contain vitamin E, folate and small amounts of other B vitamins. What's more, dandelion greens provide a substantial amount of several minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium...

What are the Potential Side Effects of Dandelions?

I would suggest always thoroughly washing dandelions (or any foraged food) before preparing for cooking and using a vinegar-based salad dressing or fully cooking the dandelions before consuming. Disclaimer: If you have any doubts about eating dandelions, consult with your doctor of allergist if you have any questions.

According to WebMd.com:

Taking dandelion by mouth might cause allergic reactions, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, or heartburn in some people.

Where Else Can I find Dandelion Flowers or Leaves?

• Local farmer's markets and CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares may offer Dandelion Flowers and leaves.

When is Dandelion Season?

Here in New Jersey, we see Dandelions start blooming in March (early Spring) and they go through all the Summer into Fall until it gets cold.

The early Spring and Fall is the time when you would find more blooms.

According to Weedmanusa.com: 

Dandelions are a widely-distributed perennial weed with leaves that grow flat on the ground atop a long perennial taproot. ... Dandelions bloom in both spring and fall – the spring is the heavier of the two blooms – when days are less than 12 hours long.

What is the Bloom Cycle of Dandelions?

According to hunker.com:

The flowers bloom about eight to 15 weeks after germination at the end of the seedling stage. Individual plants bloom continuously while active, but most profusely in May and June. A single flower produces up to 400 seeds, but averages 180. Seeds ripen from nine to 12 days after the flowers bloom.

Dandelion Fritters Recipe Process Photos

Here are some process photos for this Dandelion Fritters recipe; the full ingredient list and directions are in the recipe card at the end of the post:

Ingredients

• Canola oil for frying (or substitute regular olive oil)
• 2 cups freshly picked Dandelion flowers, washed
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cornflour
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon fresh Thyme, chopped
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, optional
• ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper, fresh ground
• garnish with chives, washed and freshly chopped
• mayonnaise, ketchup, or favorite sauce for serving

Kitchen Tools

• Large cast iron skillet
• tongs
• plate with paper towels
• salad spinner
• measuring spoons and cups
• wet measure

Web Story

What are Dandelion Greens Like?

Dandelion Greens have a slightly bitter to bitter flavor, you can use them whenever kale, Swiss chard, radicchio, mustard greens, endive, collard greens, radish greens, turnip greens, beet greens or any similar bitter green 

Dandelion Recipe Inspiration

Here are some recipe inspiration ideas for ways to use Dandelions, if I make any of these recipes, I can link to them in the future:

• Dandelion Salad
• Dandelion Ice Cream
• Sautéed Dandelion Greens (Leaves), with Garlic
• Dandelion Eggs
• Dandelion Frittata
• Dandelion Quiche
• Dandelion Pasta
• Dandelion Pesto
• Dandelion Risotto 
• Dandelion Salad Dressing

I would love to hear how you like to enjoy Dandelion Flowers and leaves them in the comments below.

If you make this Dandelion Fritters recipe and like it, please give the recipe a rating in the recipe card below and let us know in the comments at the end of the post.

Thank you for following and reading along.

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Dandelion Fritters

Yield: 2 cups

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

This Dandelion Fritters recipe is made with freshly foraged Dandelion Flowers, dipped in a flour-cornmeal batter with thyme, paprika, Kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper, and then deep fried in a cast-iron skillet. You can top them with freshly chopped chives or your favorite green garnish. They are crispy and easy to make!

Print

Ingredients

• Canola oil for frying (or substitute regular olive oil)
• 2 cups freshly picked Dandelion flowers, washed
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup corn flour
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon fresh Thyme, chopped
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, optional
• ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper, fresh ground
• garnish with chives, washed and fresh chopped
• mayonnaise, ketchup or favorite sauce for serving

Instructions

1. In a medium-large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, thyme, salt, pepper, and paprika.
2. Add egg and milk, and stir to combine.
3. Line a plate with paper towels and set aside (for draining the dandelion fritters when done).
4. Fill a cast iron skillet (or use a deep fryer), with 1 inch or so of Canola oil. Heat to 375 degrees F.
5. Using tongs, dip the cleaned, dandelion flowers in the batter and coat completely.
6. Add the coated dandelion flowers to the hot oil (be very careful about oil spatter! Wear long sleeves and keep people and children away from the stove while cooking until oil is disposed of). Cook until golden, turning over half way (about 2 minutes each side). Do not crowd the frying pan with fritters.
7. Drain the fritters on paper towels, add more Kosher salt and pepper, if you wish, before serving garnish with fresh, chopped chives. Serve with mayonnaise, ketchup or other favorite sauce, enjoy!

Notes

KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN FORAGING AND CLEANING DANDELION FLOWERS

• harvest them from a low-traffic area, away from animals/pets
• harvest them only from an area where there’s no herbicide or pesticide used – that would be harmful to your health
• Clean the Dandelion Flowers thoroughly by soaking for 10-15 minutes in fresh cool water and drain, I recommend using a salad spinner to get them dry before dipping in the batter and frying. Alternately, you can pat dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen/tea towel.

Recommended Products

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• 
  T-fal Deep Fryer with Basket, Stainless Steel, Easy to Clean Deep Fryer, Oil Filtration, 2.6-Pound, Silver, Model FR8000
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  Pyrex Smart Essentials 8-Piece Mixing Bowl Set
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  Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls by Finedine (Set of 6) Polished Mirror Finish Nesting Bowl, ¾ - 1.5-3 - 4-5 - 8 Quart - Cooking Supplies
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  OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Tongs With Nylon Heads
• 
  Pyrex Prepware 2-Cup Measuring Cup, Red Graphics, Clear
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  Homestia Gold Measuring Cups and Spoons Set Stainless Steel 8 PIECE for Dry and Liquid Ingredients Engraved Measurement Heavy Duty Baking & Cooking Utensils
• 
  Lodge 12 Inch Cast Iron Skillet. Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet with Red Silicone Hot Handle Holder.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 370Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 567mgCarbohydrates: 71gFiber: 4gSugar: 0gProtein: 12g

Please note that the Calculated Nutrition is an estimate at best.

Did you make this recipe?

Did you make this recipe? If you share it on social media tag us @lifeslittlesweets and hashtag it #lifeslittlesweets - Thank you in advance!

• This post was originally published on 4/9/2020 and updated and republished on 10/14/2021, 6/6/2024

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Sara Maniez

Owner at Life's Little Sweets

Sara is an architectural designer turned work-at-home Mom. She lives in New Jersey by way of New England and New York, with her husband and 3 kids under 8. She loves design, being creative, and spending time with family and friends. She loves checking out local businesses and eats and being apart of the local farm to table community.

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