Easy German Potato Dumpling Recipe - Cheerful Cook (2024)

By Maike Corbett | Published: December 31, 2021 | Modified: December 31, 2021

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Classic German Potato Dumplings are one of Germany's most popular comfort foods.

Tender potatoes are combined with egg yolk, butter, and a hint of nutmeg. Simple and delicious!

Easy German Potato Dumpling Recipe - Cheerful Cook (1)

In Germany, potato dumplings are known as Kartoffelklösse. Say that three times fast. But although the recipe might be hard to pronounce, it is straightforward.

As with most traditional German recipes, there can be regional differences. Some recipes use raw potatoes to make potato dumplings. While I'm sure they are delicious, it was not common in my family.

Easy German Potato Dumpling Recipe - Cheerful Cook (2)

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Why This Potato Dumpling Recipe Works

Classic - This German potato dumpling recipe is a classic. Keep in mind there are different versions of this recipe. Some use less starch, some more, some use croutons or bread crumbs, and others don't. This is the recipe that I grew up with and the one my family loves.

Leftovers - I love making a large batch of potato dumplings. One of my favorite ways to use leftover dumplings is to slice them in half and fry them in butter. Drizzle with some fresh parsley, and enjoy. Delicious!

Easy Ingredients - Chances are that you don't even have to go shopping to make this recipe.

POTATOES - Look for starch potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold. Both of them are great choices.

EGGS - For this recipe, you'll only need egg yolks. Save the egg whites to whip up an egg whites omelet.

BUTTER - This is an example of when there are no good substitutions. For this recipe, you'll want to use unsalted butter. Why unsalted? I recommend unsalted butter for all my recipes because the amount of salt varies from brand to brand. Salt can make or break a recipe, and you'll want to be in control of how much you feel comfortable adding.

POTATO FLOUR - You'll find potato flour in most supermarkets. You can also use cornstarch or potato starch.

NUTMEG - Nutmeg is a staple in many German recipes. It adds a warm, slightly sweet, nutty flavor, and a little goes a long way. You can find ground nutmeg in the spice aisle of any supermarket. Alternatively, you can buy whole nutmegs and grind them with a zester. (That's what I do.)

How To Make German Potato Dumplings

For detailed instructions, please check the recipe card below.

Easy German Potato Dumpling Recipe - Cheerful Cook (4)
  1. Boil the potatoes in a large pot of cold water.
  2. Pass cooked potatoes through a potato ricer.
  3. Add riced potatoes, egg yolks, salt, melted butter, nutmeg, and potato starch into a large bowl until the dough is well combined.
  4. Shape the dough into potato balls.
  5. Boil water in a large pot. Once the water is boiling, add salt and reduce the heat to a simmer.
  6. Drop the dumplings into hot water and cook uncovered until the potato dumplings rise to the water's surface.
  7. Remove potato dumplings with a slotted spoon.

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Recipe Success Tips

BOILING POTATOES - Don't cut the potatoes too small. The larger the pieces of potatoes absorb less liquid. This allows the cooked to combine more easily with the other ingredients needed to make the dumplings. Larger pieces must cook longer, so adjust your cooking time if necessary.
I'm impatient, so I cut the potatoes into medium-sized chunks.

SHAPING THE POTATOES - Wet your hands with water. This will make it easier to shape the potato balls.

HELP! My potatoes are falling apart. It's best to check your dough by making a test dumpling when making dumplings. Instead of dropping a whole batch into the boiling water, add just one. If it falls apart, add more potato starch to your dough.

Easy German Potato Dumpling Recipe - Cheerful Cook (5)

Serving Suggestions

This recipe is the perfect side dish and goes well with so many other main dishes. Try it with Hungarian Goulash, Schnitzel, or Jägerschnitzel.

And you don't have to look for German recipes; these dumplings will go well with any Sunday roast. You could even serve it with Beef Stroganoff or, my favorite, Chicken Stroganoff!

Add Oma's German Cucumber Salad or the ever-popular Creamy Cucumber Salad, and you've got a delicious dinner.

More Easy and Delicious Side Dishes

HONEY ROASTED SWEET POTATOES

RED CABBAGE - deliciously sweet and tart side dish

ROASTED BROCCOLI AND CAULIFLOWER

SPÄTZLE - classic German egg noodle side dish

CHEESY MASHED POTATOES - the ultimate comfort food

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Potato Dumplings

Classic Potato Dumplings are the perfect side dish for all of your favorite German recipes.

Servings: 6

PREP TIME: 10 minutes minutes

COOK TIME: 35 minutes minutes

TOTAL TIME: 45 minutes minutes

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Ingredients

  • 2 pounds potatoes Russet, or Yukon Gold, peeled, halved,
  • 6 tablespoons butter unsalted, melted
  • 2 egg yolks beaten
  • cups potato flour
  • 1 tablespoon salt divided
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions

Prep

  • Place potatoes into a large pot of water and bring to a boil. Add a ½ tablespoon of salt. Cover with a lid and continue to boil until potatoes are soft. About 15-20 minutes.

Making The Dough

  • Pass the cooked potatoes through a potato ricer into a large bowl. Add egg yolks, salt, melted butter, nutmeg, and potato starch.

  • Mix the dough until well combined. Shape the dough into 2-3 inch dough balls. It's easiest to have slightly wet hands.

Cooking The Potato Dumplings

  • Use a large pot and bring water to a boil. Once boiling, add a ½ tablespoon of salt, reduce heat to a simmer. Use a slotted spoon to drop dumplings into the lightly boiling water.

  • Cook uncovered in gently simmering water until the potato dumplings rise to the top. About 15-20 minutes. Remove potato dumplings with a slotted spoon. Serve and enjoy.

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Notes

It's best to lightly wet your hands before shaping the potato dumplings.

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 648mg | Potassium: 522mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 218IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg

Author: Maike Corbett

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Easy German Potato Dumpling Recipe - Cheerful Cook (2024)

FAQs

Easy German Potato Dumpling Recipe - Cheerful Cook? ›

Overworking the mixture, thus having heavy dumplings is a common mistake people make. Dumplings need very gentle handling, so mix only until the ingredients are just combined, and if your recipe involves rolling them out with extra flour, avoid using too much.

What is the secret to perfect dumplings? ›

Overworking the mixture, thus having heavy dumplings is a common mistake people make. Dumplings need very gentle handling, so mix only until the ingredients are just combined, and if your recipe involves rolling them out with extra flour, avoid using too much.

How to make potato dumplings? ›

Directions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. ...
  2. In a medium bowl combine 2 cups mashed potatoes with flour and egg. Using about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of mixture each, shape into dumplings. ...
  3. Drop dumplings into simmering soup or broth, cover and cook 20 minutes.
Jul 14, 2022

Why do my potato dumplings fall apart? ›

This is a sensitive recipe, so it's important to use a kitchen scale to measure out 24 ounces (1 1⁄2 pounds) of riced potatoes. If you use too much potato, the mixture might not bind properly and the dumplings may fall apart; if you use too little potato, the dumplings will be too heavy with flour and egg.

Why are my potato dumplings gummy? ›

If your potato dumplings are gummy, it is likely the potatoes were overworked, or the dough was overmixed.

How can I make my dumplings taste better? ›

A teaspoon of sugar adds an extremely subtle hint of sweetness. It also helps the dumplings retain their moisture through the cooking process and slows gluten development, which ensures tender dumplings. A pinch of salt seasons the dumplings and enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.

What are German dumplings made of? ›

Potato dumplings are made with riced potatoes, potato starch, and eggs for binding. They are often topped with toasted breadcrumbs or stuffed with a toasted bread crouton.

What are the 3 components of dumplings? ›

What are dumplings made of? The dumpling dough is made of three main ingredients: flour, water and salt.

Why are my dumplings hard and not fluffy? ›

Don't Overwork the Dumpling Dough

Stir everything together until the wet and dry ingredients are combined and you don't see any more dry flour. The dough might look a little lumpy, but that's okay! Overworking the dough is one of the easiest ways to end up with tough dumplings.

Are potato dumplings done when they float? ›

Once water reaches a rolling boil, gently add each dumpling and continue to boil until the dumplings float. Remove the dumplings from the water using a slotted spoon or strainer spoon and place in serving dish. Best served hot with gravy or sauerkraut. Dumplings also make one of the best leftover breakfast items ever!

How do you boil dumplings without them falling apart? ›

Here are some additional tips:
  1. Use a large pot or saucepan. This will give the dumplings enough room to cook without crowding each other.
  2. Add a tablespoon of oil or broth to the cooking liquid. ...
  3. Gently stir the dumplings once or twice while they are cooking. ...
  4. Do not overcook the dumplings.
Mar 20, 2023

Why are my dumplings bland? ›

If it tastes bland before you stuff it into the wrapper, it will be even more tasteless as a dumpling, as the wrappers will mute the flavor slightly. Depending on what your filling is, and if you don't want to taste it raw, you can perform a “spot test” and cook a tablespoon of filling to test the seasoning.

Do you cook dumplings with the lid on or off? ›

Once your water comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium or medium-low. You want a gentle boil that won't disturb your dumplings as they steam. Make sure you cover them! This allows for as much steam as possible so that your dumplings can definitely get cooked.

Why are my dumplings falling apart? ›

Homemade dumplings can fall apart for a number of different reasons, or any combination of them. Often they burst during cooking because they have too much filling for the amount of dough. Some doughs are too dry, so the dumplings won't stay sealed. Others can be too wet and sticky and end up tearing.

How do you make dumplings less gummy? ›

Three things.
  1. Don't knead the dough. ...
  2. Your method of 10 off and 10 on is OK, but I'd cut back on the butter to half of that. ...
  3. Add 1 tsp baking powder per cup of flour.
Jan 30, 2022

Do you cook dumplings with the lid on or the lid off? ›

Once your water is boiling, let your dumplings cook in the steam for about ten minutes. Don't remove the lid as letting the steam escape will disrupt the cooking process and result in undercooked dumplings, so keep that lid on!

What is the secret ingredient in dumplings movie? ›

Mei cooks her some special dumplings which she claims to be effective for rejuvenation. She tells Mrs. Li that the secret ingredient for her rejuvenating dumplings is unborn fetuses imported from an abortion clinic in Shenzhen, where she used to work.

What keeps dumplings from falling apart? ›

And for a pork-veggie filling that's compact, cohesive, and moist—but not dense or wet—mix the meat vigorously to release myosin, a sticky meat protein that helps the filling hold together. Using just the right amount of filling helps ensure that your dumplings can form a proper seal and won't burst open while cooking.

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