German Potato Dumplings Recipe (+VIDEO) | MasalaHerb.com (2024)

German Potato Dumplings Recipe (+VIDEO) | MasalaHerb.com (1)Helene Dsouza

Kartoffelnknödel, or so-called Erdäpfelknödel or Kartoffelklösse, are Potato Dumplings. Classic soft German potato dumplings prepared with homemade potato dough. You serve them up the same way as the Semmelknödel, with Sausages, Sauerkraut or with any other pork cuts.

Total Time: 27 minutes minutes

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes minutes

10 dumplings

4.9 from 13 votes

VIDEO RECIPE

German Potato Dumplings Recipe (+VIDEO) | MasalaHerb.com (2)

German Potato Dumplings are a wonderful side dish idea. It's mostly served with delicious meals such as Sauerkraut and Sausage, Sauerbraten with Red Cabbage.

Potato Dumplings, aka Kartoffelknödel in German, are easy to prepare.

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Jump to:
  • 📕 What are German PotatoDumplings?
  • 👄 German Names
  • 🥔 Ingredients
  • 🔪 How to make them?
  • 💡 Tips
  • 🍱 Storing
  • 🍴 Serving
  • 💭 FAQs
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

📕 What are German PotatoDumplings?

The German Potato Dumplings are common round dumplings prepared with potato dough.

The dumplings are served as a savory side dish in all the German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Neighboring countries and former countries from the empire, such as the Autonomous Province of Bolzano (North Italy) and Slovenia, count these potato dumplings as their traditional food.

Potato Gnocchi from Italy resembles the German Potato Dumplings.

In fact, potato dough is quite a popular dough variety in Central Europe and other dumplings and noodles are prepared with this dough as well.

👄 German Names

Potato Dumplings are known as Kartoffelknödel or Kartoffelkloß in most parts of Germany.

InAustrian, we call the Erdäpfelknödel, in Bavaria the potato dumplings are known as Reibeknödel.

The word for dumpling in German is "Knödel/Knoedel or Kloß/Kloss".

In North Germany, they will say Kloß and in the southern regions Knödel.

The Potato is known as Kartoffel in German.

In Austria and Bavaria, potatoes are called Erdäpfel (literal translation, Earth apple).

German Potato Dumplings Recipe (+VIDEO) | MasalaHerb.com (5)

🥔 Ingredients

Here is an overview of what you will need to make these from scratch at home. The detailed US and metric measurements are located in the printable recipe card further below.

  • Potatoes - A mealy, easy to boil, variety. They shouldn't be too hard. Russet potatoes are a great choice!
  • All-purpose Flour
  • Corn Starch - If you don't have corn starch, use just all-purpose flour. Corn starch helps to bind and makes them a bit softer.
  • Salt
  • Nutmeg - Important flavor giver, don't skip adding a pinch!
  • Egg - Also helps to keep your dumplings together when boiling them and adds flavor.
  • Butter (optional) - Adds flavorful but not a must.

🔪 How to make them?

To prepare the potato dumplings, you will need to follow simple steps.

Step 1

Mash boiled potatoes.

Place mashed potatoes with flour, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and egg into a bowl.

German Potato Dumplings Recipe (+VIDEO) | MasalaHerb.com (6)

Step 2

Combine to a smooth dough.

Shape into balls.

German Potato Dumplings Recipe (+VIDEO) | MasalaHerb.com (7)

Step 3

Keep a pot with salt water to boil.

Drop dumpling balls into the boiling water.

Boil until they swim on top. Strain and serve up.

German Potato Dumplings Recipe (+VIDEO) | MasalaHerb.com (8)

💡 Tips

We learned to make these dumplings in school (I went to school in Austria) and the teacher shared some tips with us.

  • Prepare the dough with hot potatoes, it will blender better.
  • Don't over mix your potato dough or else your dumplings will turn out stone hard.
  • Always use salt water to boil. They just turn out better.
  • Shape them while the water is boiling, and drop them into the water. Don't leave them to sit for all too long on your kitchen counter.
  • You want your water to boil lightly, not too much. Too much movement can damage your dumplings.
  • After dropping the dumplings into the water, check if they are not sticking to the bottom of your pot. Loosen them up with a cooking spoon.
  • When you see them floating to the surface, leave them there for another minute or so before you take them out. That's to make sure they are properly cooked through.
  • Don't overcrowd your pan.

🍱 Storing

If you plan on eating the potato dumplings within 48 hours, prepare the dough and store it in the fridge until you get time to boil and eat them.

I think the dumplings taste better when freshly boiled.

You can boil the potato dumplings and keep them in the fridge, but then they tend to get chewy and hard.

To reheat, place them into the oven and gradually heat up for a few minutes.

To store the German potato dumplings over a longer period of time, freeze them.

Prepare the dough, form the dumplings, cook them and then wrap them in a clean wrap.

Freeze the potato dumplings.

To take the frozen dumplings out, defrost them in room temperaturewater and cook them again so that they get hot.

German Potato Dumplings Recipe (+VIDEO) | MasalaHerb.com (9)

🍴 Serving

The savory potato dumplings are usually served with saucy/gravy-rich meat meals, such as Beef Goulash.

Also, fall-themed meals such as a venison dish as served with these potato dumplings. Here are some more ideas.

  • Jägerschnitzel with Chanterelle Mushrooms
  • Sauerkraut and Sausage
  • German cabbage slaw

💭 FAQs

Can I skip adding the egg to make it eggless or vegan?

No, you can't skip adding the egg to this recipe. The egg helps in keeping your dumplings together.

Why don't you use and add potato starch instead of all-purpose flour and corn starch?

Because you don't get potato starch everywhere, and I personally never have it in my pantry. Why buy an ingredient for just one recipe, right? But you are, of course, free to switch the all-purpose + corn starch with potato starch in this recipe. Potato starch would be a more suitable choice, but it's not the only choice.

Can I fill my dumplings?

Yes, there is a Bavarian variation where they add 2-3 bread croutons as a filling. It adds a crunch to the dumpling center. Flatten a dumpling ball in your hand into a circle and place 2-3 croutons into the center. Wrap the potato dough around the croutons to close the dumplings and boil as directed in the recipe. You can also fill your potato dumplings with chopped bacon or ground beef (or corned beef) or chopped sautéd mushrooms.

Why do dumplings fall apart?

They can fall apart if you didn't measure your ingredients (sorry, but cups won't do it) or if you skipped adding an egg. When shaping them, make sure that they are pressed and rolled into a round ball. The dumplings need to be added to boiling water, never cold water, and the water shouldn't be bubbling too much because that's how the dumplings can fall apart with the movement.

Why are my dumplings rubbery or hard?

Potato dumplings will get rubbery and hard when boiled for too long. Also, overworking your dough can result in hard and chewy dumplings. If you measure and add too much flour, your dumplings can turn harder, too. Choose easy cook-through mealy potatoes, instead of hard potato varieties.

Dear Reader, how and with what are you planning to serve the potato dumplings?

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German Potato Dumplings Recipe

Kartoffelnknödel, or so-called Erdäpfelknödel or Kartoffelklösse, are Potato Dumplings. Classic soft German potato dumplings prepared with homemade potato dough. You serve them up the same way as the Semmelknödel, with Sausages, Sauerkraut or with any other pork cuts.

4.85 from 13 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: German

Diet: Vegetarian

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes minutes

Servings: 10 dumplings

Calories: 95kcal

Recipe by: Helene Dsouza

Ingredients

  • 10.6 Ounces Potato boiled, about 3 potatoes
  • 1 Cup All-purpose Flour + some more flour to shape dumplings
  • Cup Corn Starch
  • Pinch Salt
  • Pinch Nutmeg
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 Tablespoon Butter melted, optional *See Notes

US - Metric

Instructions

  • Boil potatoes and peel.

    10.6 Ounces Potato

  • Place your peeled boiled potatoes in a bowl. Mash them.

  • Add the all-purpose flour and corn starch to the potato mash. Season with a pinch of salt and finely grated nutmeg.

    1 Cup All-purpose Flour, ⅓ Cup Corn Starch, Pinch Salt, Pinch Nutmeg

  • Mix everything together.

  • Make a slight well in the center and drop the egg into it. Add the butter too if you want your dumplings to turn out more smooth.

    1 Egg, 1 Tablespoon Butter

  • Mix the potato dough ingredients and start to create a dough by forming it gradually. The end result should be a smooth dough. Do not over work your potato dough or else it will turn out hard!

  • Keep a pot with salt water to boil.

  • Now shape your dumplings by taking some from the dough and rolling it into a round form. It helps to roll the dumplings out with flour because they can get sticky. Use up all the dough.

  • Once the water is cooking, drop your dumplings into the water. Make sure that they don't stick on the bottom of the pot. Gently move them. Also, the water shouldn't bubble too wild or else the dumplings may fall apart.

  • Leave the dumplings cook uncovered until they swim to the top.

  • Allow them to swim to the surface, watch them for a minute max and take them out with a slotted spoon.

  • Strain and serve up.

Notes

  1. You may or may not add butter. This is up to you. I think the dumplings turn out more smooth with the butter, but if you want to cut on fats, then you can skip the Tbs.
  2. The corn starch makes the dumplings more elastic and maybe a bit lighter. You can choose to skip the corn starch and use simply all-purpose flour only instead.
  3. Do not skip the nutmeg. You need the nutmeg in the dumplings for flavor.
  4. Calorie per serving is for one dumpling.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

German Potato Dumplings Recipe

Amount Per Serving (90 g)

Calories 95Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Cholesterol 19mg6%

Sodium 19mg1%

Potassium 143mg4%

Carbohydrates 17g6%

Fiber 1g4%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 60IU1%

Vitamin C 3.5mg4%

Calcium 13mg1%

Iron 1.7mg9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

German Potato Dumplings Recipe (+VIDEO) | MasalaHerb.com (2024)

FAQs

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.

What are the different types of dumplings in Germany? ›

How to make ALL the Dumplings ...
  • Bavarian Bread Dumplings - Got gravy? ...
  • Blood Dumplings - Jerome's "Crub" recipe.
  • Potato Dumplings - Mutti's traditional side dish for most meats.
  • Potato Dumplings - “Halbseidene Klösse”
  • Raw Potato Dumplings - sent in by George.
  • Thüringer Klösse - our Sunday potato dumpling.

Why are my potato dumplings gummy? ›

Overworking dough can result in gummy potato dumplings. A potato ricer or food mill creates the lightest base, letting you smoothly work in the flour and egg without excessively handling the dough. A potato masher leaves more clumps but can also be effective.

Are potato dumplings the same as gnocchi? ›

The Distinction Between Gnocchi and Dumplings

Gnocchi, a type of pasta, is a delightful creation from semolina flour, eggs, and mashed potatoes, all balled up together. On the other hand, a dumpling is a doughy concoction, the result of flour, milk, and eggs combined and cooked in a simmering water bath.

Do you cook dumplings covered or uncovered? ›

Cover and simmer until dumplings are cooked through, about 15 minutes. Once you have covered the pan, do not uncover and peek while the dumplings are cooking! In order for the dumplings to be light and fluffy, they must steam, not boil. Uncovering the pan releases the steam.

Why aren t my dumplings light and fluffy? ›

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 are the 3 components of dumplings? ›

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

What is the American version of dumplings? ›

Originating in the Pennsylvania region the pierogies have been a staple in the city of Pittsburgh and all over western Pennsylvania. Pierogies are soft semicircular dumplings that are usually filled with potatoes or cheese. However, just like other dumplings, fillings are interchangeable depending on culture.

What is the most popular type of dumpling? ›

Jiaozi. Jiaozi (pronounced "jow-zee") are perhaps the most common type of Chinese dumpling. Crescent-shaped and formed with an opaque wrapper made from wheat dough, jiaozi are usually filled with ground pork, cabbage, and scallions, and served with a dipping sauce made of soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil.

How do I keep my dumplings from disintegrating? ›

Lower your heat so that your broth is just barely barely barely boiling and drop these pieces in one at a time. It is important that you DO NOT STIR. We are not going to stir these as we don't want our dumplings cooking up. If you do stir, you will basically cause your dumplings to dissolve.

What is a potato dumpling made of? ›

This version contains cooked starchy (or floury) potatoes, potato starch, eggs, and simple seasonings. The texture of the potato dumplings should be firm but not gummy, which is best achieved by ricing the potatoes, letting them cool, and then mixing the ingredients gently.

How do you keep dumplings from getting gummy? ›

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.

What is the French version of dumplings? ›

Quenelles are delicate, oval-shaped dumplings. The term "quenelle" originally referred to a specific dumpling made with pike and cream. Nowadays, the term is used much more loosely and refers to dumplings made from all ingredients. Quenelles can be served as a side dish, such as potatoes, or as an appetizer.

Are pierogi and dumplings the same? ›

Polish Pierogi

A pierogi is a European-styled dumpling. These dumplings are prepared very differently than traditional Chinese dumplings. They can also be savory or sweet with fillings such as potatoes, meat, cheese, or fruits. First, pierogies are boiled and then either baked or fried with butter.

What is a good potato substitute for gnocchi? ›

Carrots, beets, broccoli, winter squash, and more can easily become a bowl of perfect pillowy bites.

How do I keep my dumplings from falling apart? ›

The classic approach is to pleat the wrapper so that the dumpling curves and is stable enough to stand up and brown on its flat side. Traditionally, you gather one side of the wrapper into a series of pleats and seal them to the other side, which remains flat.

Why are my potato balls falling apart? ›

Why are my potato balls falling apart? Your mashed potato mix might have more moisture than needed, add a couple of tablespoons of flour to the mixture. Your oil might not be hot enough or your filling might be too much that it is causing the ball to crack.

How do you keep potatoes from falling apart? ›

Most often, then, the solution to evenly cooked potatoes is cooking them twice: First, boil, steam, or steam-roast (a fancy term for cooking them with water in the oven) until they're mostly tender but not fall-apart finished. Second, brown the outsides and finish cooking the interiors on the stovetop or in the oven.

How do you keep dumplings from sticking together? ›

If they are homemade fresh dumplings, just as making breads, a few pitches of flour or corn powder will prevent them to stick together. If those are frozen dumplings, don't use hot water to boil them, out the dumplings in a pot of cold water and then heating them up, then they won't stick.

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