How To Dry Dandelion Flowers
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There are so many uses for dandelion flowers, but they only bloom for a few weeks in the spring and summer. Freezing the flower petals works well, but learning how to dry dandelion flowers is another helpful option that doesn’t take up your freezer space.
You don’t need any special equipment, either. It’s easy to learn how to dry dandelion flowers without a dehydrator.
This is one herb that I find dries best without using a dehydrator, leaving you with lots of flowers to use in dandelion recipes when you have time to get creative in the kitchen.
Tips For Collecting Dandelions
When harvesting dandelions, make sure you are taking them from a clean, safe area that you know has not been sprayed or treated with any pesticides or chemicals. You’ll also want to avoid any areas where pets or livestock have been kept.
The best time to pick the flowers is in the late morning to early afternoon, when the dew has evaporated and the blooms are fully open.
Simply use your fingers to pop the flower head off the stem. You could also cut it off with kitchen scissors, but using your hand to pull it off is faster.
Since you want to dry the dandelion flowers, it is also important to try to pick the newest blooms possible.
Flowers that have been blooming for multiple days are more likely to turn into seed puff balls when you try to dry them. But the younger flowers that have just opened, I’ve had much better luck with.
How To Dry Dandelion Flowers
For Air Drying
Air drying is my favorite way to dry dandelion flowers because I find they are much less likely to turn to seed using this method.
Step 1. Prepare The Blossoms
Remove any part of the stem from the blossoms you’ve picked. Then you can give the flower heads a quick rinse with cool water. This is optional, but it will help to remove any dirt or little bugs hiding in the petals.
After rinsing, pat the flowers dry or use a salad spinner to remove as much of the water as possible.
Step 2. Dry
Spread the flowers evenly on a screen or tray and place them in a sunny spot. I like to use a shelf in my greenhouse, but any warm sunny area will do.
Turn the flowers over a few times a day, especially if you are using a solid tray, so the underside of the blossom can dry.
The blossoms will take 4 to 24 hours to fully dry, depending on the temperature and humidity in your area. You’ll know they are done when they are crisp, with no spongy areas.
How To Dry Dandelion Flowers In A Dehydrator
If you live in a more humid environment, using a dehydrator will give you better results than air drying.
If you want to use your dehydrator, follow step 1 above on preparing the flowers.
Then spread them evenly on your dehydrator trays in a single layer. Set your temperature to 95°F, this is the best setting to use for drying herbs.
They will take 8 to 12 hours to fully dry. Make sure to check them occasionally to make sure you aren’t over drying them. When they are done they will feel crisp.
How To Dry Dandelion Flowers In The Oven
Spread the prepared flowers evenly on a baking tray, leaving room between each flower.
Heat your oven to 170F or lower if your oven is able to. Dry them for 2 to 4 hours.
Make sure to check the flowers every 30 minutes and flip them so they dry evenly and don’t burn.
You’ll know they are done when they feel crisp with no spongy areas.
Storage Tips
Store your dried dandelions in an air-tight container. I like to use mason jars, but any container will do. Just keep it in a dark place and away from heat.
What To Do With Dehydrated Dandelion Flowers
- Make dandelion flower tea.
- Pull the petals off and make jelly.
- Dandelion simple syrup works well, just pull the flowers off the green part.
- Add a small handful of petals to your cookie batter.
- Add some dried flowers to your iced tea or lemonade.
How To Dry Dandelion Flowers
Equipment
- Trays or screens if air drying
- Dehydrator optional
- Baking sheet optional
Ingredients
- dandelion flowers
Instructions
- Pick the dandelion flowers as soon as the new flowers bloom.
- Wash the flowers under cool water and pat dry with a paper towel or spin in a salad spinner.
Air Drying Dandelions
- Spread the flowers evenly on a screen or tray in a single layer, leaving some room between them.
- Place them in the sun to dry. Flip the flowers over a few times a day to help them dry evenly. Depending on the temperature and humidity, it can take 4-24 hours to dry. When done, the flowers will feel crisp, not spongy, when dry.
Drying Dandelions With A Dehydrator
- Spread them out in a single layer on the dehydrator trays, leaving space between them for good airflow.
- Place the trays in your dehydrator and dry at 95°F for 8-12 hours. Check them occasionally to ensure they don’t overdry.
- The flowers will feel crisp, not spongy, when dry.
Drying Dandelions In The Oven
- Spread the flowers out evenly on a baking sheet, leaving some space between them.
- Heat the oven to 170°F or lower if your oven can do it. Place the flowers into the oven and dry for 2-4 hours.
- Flip them every 30 minutes to help them dry evenly.
- When done, the flowers will feel crisp and have no spongy areas.
These values are from a nutritional database and automatically calculated, and should only be used as an approximation.
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Kim Mills is a homeschooling mom of 6 and lives on an urban homestead in Ontario, Canada. Blogging at Homestead Acres she enjoys sharing tips to help you save money, grow and preserve your own food.
Hello Kim,
I’m collecting dandelion flowers and leaves now and would like to infuse some avocado oil or maybe olive oil to do an infused oil. I use the oil in making a pain balm or even a balm/cream for rough hands and feet. Is this something that would be a good use for the dried dandelion?
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Judy B.
Kokomo, Indiana USA