Crispy Fried Dandelions
Fried dandelions are called “the poor man’s mushroom” because dandelions taste similar to fried mushrooms. We live in the middle of Morel mushroom country, but are HORRIBLE mushroom hunters. So, while everyone else is out hiking and enjoying their morels, my lazy ass goes to the backyard for fried dandelion blossoms.
Fried Dandelion Flowers
To begin, you’ll want to venture into your yard armed with a basket, a sense of culinary adventure, and a pair of gloves (because dandelions have a tendency to prick back). Pluck those vibrant yellow blooms, ignoring the judgmental stares of your neighbors. After all, you’re a culinary pioneer on a quest to conquer the wild world of foraging food!
Fried Dandelion Fritters Recipe Ingredients
Once you’ve collected your dandelion blossoms, it’s time to transform them into crispy delights. Dip those bad boys in a light batter, coating them like they’re about to hit the runway at a flower fashion show. Here’s the list of ingredients:
- Dandelion blossoms (make sure that the yard is NOT treated for weeds)
- Egg
- Milk
- Flour
- Salt & pepper
Equipment Needed to Fry Dandelion Flowers
- Air fryer (Amazon affiliate link) or
- Pan with oil
Fried Dandelions Recipe
To cook your dandelion fritters, take your battered dandelion blossoms to the hot oil. These blossoms will sizzle away, making Snoop Dogg’s nizzle jealous (fo shizzle). Watch as they turn golden brown and crispier than your aunt’s holiday cookies. You could also pop these guys in the air fryer, and make your cardiologist proud! (You can learn more about the health benefits of dandelions, and how to harness this wild nutrient in this article.)
Fried Dandelions
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound dandelion blossoms (about 45 dandelion blossoms per pound)
- 1 cup flour
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with 1 cup of milk)
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Clean the dandelions and ensure that the stems are removed.1 pound dandelion blossoms
- Combine and mix the flour, salt, and pepper.1 cup flour, 2 teaspoon salt, 1½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Combine and mix the buttermilk and egg.1 cup buttermilk, 1 large egg
- Dip the dandelion blossom in the flour, shaking of the excess.
- Next, dip the flour coated dandelion blossom in the buttermilk and egg mix.
- Dip the flour then egg and milk coated dandelion blossom in the flour mixture again.
- Place the battered dandelion blossom in the air fryer or pan of hot oil. Cook the dandelions for approximately 3 minutes.
Now, here comes the best part: eating your creation. Sink your teeth into these fried dandelions and savor the irony as you enjoy something that once dared to invade your garden. The taste is surprisingly delightful, with a hint of earthiness and a satisfying crunch. It’s like Mother Nature’s way of saying, “You thought you could get rid of me? Well, now I’m delicious, and you want me!”
So there you have it, fried dandelions – the ultimate revenge on those pesky lawn invaders. Serve them as an appetizer, a conversation starter, or just a quirky culinary experiment. And remember, when life gives you dandelions, fry ’em up and enjoy the irony!
Substitute Ingredients for Fried Dandelions
- Vegan fried dandelions: Substitute the buttermilk with non-dairy buttermilk or oat milk, and substitute the egg with oil.
- Gluten-free fried dandelions: Substitute the flour with gluten-free flour or cornmeal.
- Pan fried dandelion flowers: Pan fry dandelions using oil is the traditional way of frying dandelion flowers. Submerging the battered dandelion in oil will cook the blossom more evenly, and produce a crispy breading.
- Air fryer fried dandelions: Air frying dandelion flowers provides a less-greasy method of cooking, decreasing the amount of vegetable oil cooked into the batter. Modern air fryers can cook food to a similar consistency as deep fat frying, without the oil taste.
Other Dandelion Recipes:
Getting Baked Recipes:
