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.

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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

Why did my potato dumplings fall apart? ›

If the ball started to fall apart in the water, then you want to add some more starch to the dough. If it is really tough, then add a little moisture.

What are German potato dumplings made of? ›

German potato dumplings, also known as kartoffelklöße or kartoffelknödel, are unique spheres of seasoned potatoes and starch. There are many ways to make classic German potato dumplings, including some using all or part raw potatoes, some using wheat flour, and some using part wheat flour and part starch.

How to use Dr Willi Knoll potato dumplings? ›

These coarsely ground Bavaria-style potato dumpling mixes match well with pork roast and gravy. Add water to mix, let stand for 10 minutes, form the dumplings by hand and drop into boiling water. A great, authentic side dish to soak up rich gravy. Eat the dumplings with red cabbage or sauerkraut.

How do you say potato dumpling in German? ›

German Potato Dumplings, aka Kartoffelklöße or Kartoffelknödel, bring back great memories of my Mutti's Sunday dinners.

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!

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. But which flour you use depends on which dumpling you want to make.

What is hidden in dumplings? ›

In the old times, usually a coin is hidden in one of the dumplings. The person who find or bite the coin is said to be lucky, good fortune and prosperous in the New Year. Dumplings therefore is shaped like gold ingots, which symbolize wealth.

What is the difference between gnocchi and potato dumplings? ›

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.

How long do potato dumplings last in the fridge? ›

Storage: Refrigerate leftover potato dumplings, covered, for up to 4 days. To reheat, cook in simmering water until heated through.

How do you make Trader Joe's dumplings better? ›

Bring on the aromatics: Garlic and fresh ginger could also seriously elevate these soup dumplings, especially given they are already ingredients in Trader Joe's soup dumplings themselves. Add in a dash of minced garlic and ginger into the broth before microwaving it to give the soup an extra burst of flavor.

What do Germans call potatoes? ›

It's called Kartoffel in both Austria and Germany and in parts of either it's also known as Erdäpfel (plural). Other terms like Erdbirne, Potaten etc are very rarely used.

What country did potato dumpling come from? ›

In Swedish cuisine, potato dumplings of originally German origin have several regional names, mainly depending on the type of flour used. When the potato is mixed with wheat flour, which is more common in southern Sweden, it is called kroppkaka.

How do you say Yum Yum in German? ›

Three most frequent words in both report types were aitäh 'thanks', nämm-nämm 'yum-yum', and emme 'mommy'.

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 keep drop dumplings from falling apart? ›

Don't boil or stir the dumplings.

Vigorous boiling and stirring will cause the dumplings to fall apart.

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? ›

No more falling-apart, mushy potato wedges or waffle fries. When cooking up skillet potatoes for a slow Sunday morning brunch, parboiling potatoes in vinegar before adding them to the skillet will help them cook quicker and keep their uniform cubed shape, instead of getting smooshed up in the pan.

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