Looking for simple, tasty dandelion recipes?
From their sunny flowers to their nutritious leaves and earthy roots, every part of the dandelion can be turned into something delicious.
In this post, you’ll find 17 fun dandelion recipes that are easy enough for the whole family to make.
Most are ready in 30 minutes or less!
And if you’re curious about dandelion’s healing powers, learn more about dandelion’s medicinal uses, which also covers how to forage for dandelion.
Quick Tips for Cooking with Dandelions
Before we get started, here are a few helpful hints:
- Pick dandelions from clean areas (never from places sprayed with chemicals or near busy roads)
- Harvest flowers on sunny mornings when they’re fully open
- Be 100% sure of your ID before eating – Learn how to ID dandelion here
- Remember: always leave some dandelions behind for bees and butterflies!
Ready to get cooking? Let’s dive in!
1. Classic Dandelion Honey (Vegan)🍯
This syrupy treat tastes like sunshine!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups dandelion petals
- 3 cups water
- 2½ cups sugar
- 1 lemon, sliced
Method:
Simmer petals and lemon in water for 30 minutes. Strain, then add sugar. Boil gently until it thickens into syrup. Pour into clean jars and enjoy drizzled over toast or pancakes!
2. Sautéed Dandelion Greens 🌿
Earthy, vibrant, and packed with goodness.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups dandelion greens (washed and trimmed)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 2 cloves chopped garlic
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: squeeze of lemon, pinch of chilli flakes, toasted pine nuts, or a sprinkle of parmesan or nutritional yeast
Method:
Heat olive oil or butter in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds. Toss in the dandelion greens, salt, and any optional toppings like chilli flakes or pine nuts. Cook, stirring, until the greens are just wilted, about 2–3 minutes. Finish with a squeeze of lemon right before serving.
3. Dandelion Herbal Tea ☕
A gentle, cosy drink that’s good for aiding digestion.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons dried dandelion petals or leaves per cup
- Boiling water
Method:
Steep petals in hot water for 5–10 minutes. Strain and sip! Add honey for a sweet twist. You may also see dandelion root coffee referred to as “dandelion tea”.
4. Dandelion Pesto 🌿
A bright green spread for pasta, sandwiches, or crackers.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dandelion leaves
- ½ cup olive oil (stored in dark glass)
- ¼ cup nuts (like pine nuts, walnuts, mixed nuts or cashews)
- 2 cloves of garlic or a handful of wild garlic
- ½ cup cheese or vegan cheese
- Squeeze of lemon juice
Method:
Blend everything together until smooth. Taste and add salt if needed. Store in the fridge for up to a week.
5. Dandelion Jelly 🍮
Spread a little sunshine on your morning toast.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups dandelion petals
- 4 cups water
- 3½ cups sugar
- 1 packet fruit pectin
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Method:
Boil petals in water for 10 minutes. Strain. Add sugar, lemon, and pectin. Bring to a full boil and pour into sterilised jars.
6. Dandelion Root Coffee ☕
A caffeine-free way to start your day!
Ingredients:
- Fresh dandelion roots
- Water
Method:
Scrub and chop roots. Roast in the oven at 200°C until dark brown. Grind and brew just like coffee!1
7. Dandelion Vinegar 🥗
Brighten up your salads with this floral vinegar.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dandelion flowers
- 500ml apple cider vinegar
Method:
Pack flowers into a jar. Cover with vinegar. Seal and let sit for two weeks. Strain and use!
8. Dandelion Lemonade 🍋
The ultimate refreshing drink.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups dandelion flowers
- 1 litre water
- Juice of 4 lemons
- ½ cup honey
Method:
Boil flowers in water for 10 minutes. Strain. Mix the liquid with lemon juice and honey. Chill and serve over ice.
9. Dandelion Salad 🥗
Peppery and fresh!
Ingredients (per person):
- 4 cups fresh dandelion greens (washed and trimmed)
- 2 hard-boiled eggs (sliced)
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts (toasted)
- 4-5 radishes (thinly sliced)
- 1 small carrot (grated)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or dandelion vinegar
- Dandelion petals
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
Toss everything together, drizzle with dressing, and sprinkle with dandelion petals. It’s that easy!
10. Dandelion Pancakes 🥞
Fluffy, golden, and a little bit wild — perfect for spring mornings!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1 egg
- 1 cup milk (or plant-based milk)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (or olive oil)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup fresh dandelion petals (cleaned and chopped, retain some to sprinkle at the end)
- Optional: maple syrup and fresh fruit for serving
Method:
Mix the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, salt) in one bowl, and whisk the wet ingredients (egg, milk, melted butter, vanilla) in another. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, then gently fold in the dandelion petals.
Heat a lightly greased griddle or pan over medium heat. Pour ¼ cup of batter for each pancake and cook until bubbles form on top, then flip and cook until golden brown on both sides.
Serve warm with maple syrup, fresh berries, and a sprinkle of dandelion petals.
Add a sprinkle of any other edible flower petals you have on hand for an appetising colour contrast.
11. Dandelion and Orange Syrup 🍊
Sweet, floral, and citrusy — perfect for drizzling over pancakes or adding to drinks!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh dandelion petals
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 organic orange (zested and juiced)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
Method:
In a saucepan, combine the water and sugar, then heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Once the sugar is dissolved, bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the syrup to thicken slightly.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the orange zest and orange juice. Add the fresh dandelion petals directly into the syrup, allowing them to infuse the syrup’s flavour.
Add a tablespoon of lemon juice to balance the sweetness if desired. Once cooled, transfer the syrup and petals to a jar or bottle for storage.
12. Dandelion Ice Cream 🍦
Creamy, sweet, and floral.
Ingredients:
- 300ml cream (or plant-based cream)
- 200ml condensed milk (or plant-based condensed milk, it exists, I’ve seen it!)
- 4 tbsp dandelion honey
- fresh dandelion petals to sprinkle over when serving
Method:
Whip cream to soft peaks. Fold in condensed milk and honey. Freeze until firm.2
13. Dandelion Flower Cookies 🍪
Sweet and sunny little bites.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1½ cups flour
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup dandelion petals
Method:
Cream butter and sugar. Mix in egg and vanilla. Stir in flour and petals. Drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet and bake at 180°C for 10–12 minutes.3
14. Dandelion Butter 🧈
Spread a little springtime on your toast.
Ingredients:
- 100g soft butter
- 2 tbsp dandelion petals
- 1 tsp honey
Method:
Mix everything together. Shape into a roll, wrap in baking paper, and chill until firm. Spread over warm bread!
15. Dandelion Herbal Salt 🧂
A sprinkle of wild flavour.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup dried dandelion leaves
- 1 cup sea salt
Method:
Blend dried leaves and salt until fine. Store in a jar. Sprinkle over popcorn, salads, or roasted veggies!
16. Dandelion and Apple Crumble 🍏
Warm, sweet, and full of garden goodness.
Ingredients:
- 4 apples, chopped
- 1 cup dandelion petals
- 2 tbsp honey
- 150g flour
- 100g butter
- 100g brown sugar
Method:
Toss apples and petals with honey and place in a baking dish. Rub together flour, butter, and sugar to make a crumble topping. Bake at 180°C for 30 minutes.
17. Dandelion Fritters 🌼
Golden, crispy, and totally addictive.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups dandelion flowers
- 1 cup flour
- 1 egg
- ¾ cup milk
- Pinch of salt
- Oil for frying
Method:
Mix flour, egg, milk, and salt into a smooth batter. Dip flowers into the batter and fry until crispy. Dust with a little powdered sugar if you like!
Learn something new
Read more about dandelion’s medicinal uses and foraging tips here:
References
- Dandelion root coffee recipe by Rachel Lambert ↩︎
- Simple homemade dandelion ice cream by From Scratch Homestead ↩︎
- Dandelion flower butter cookies by Backwoods Mama ↩︎
Dandelion Recipes: Final Thoughts
Dandelions are one of the easiest wild plants to turn into something special.
I hope these easy dandelion recipes create some wonderful memories for you💛
Which one are you excited to make first?
