Potato dumplings (Kartoffelknödel) can be made with endless variations. Even better, you can make this German side dish all year long, for mere pennies per serving.
About these
Homemade dumplings are easy to make, and few side dishes or main entrées say comfort any louder than potato dumplings made from scratch.
There are many different types of dumplings recipes, and this simple recipe is similar to what you would expect with a chicken and dumplings dish. This version is less floury and more potato-forward than those types of dumplings.
What's in this Kartoffelknödel recipe
- Russet Potatoes
- Eggs and Egg Whites
- Potato or Corn Starch
- Flour
- Water
- Butter
- Seasonings
How to make them
(Full recipe and complete directions are found at the end of this post.)
We like to use Russet potatoes when making potato dumplings because they are starchy. Yukon-Gold potatoes are also a good choice as an all-purpose potato.
1. Start by washing between two and three pounds of Russet potatoes. Use a fork to poke some ventilation holes in them and then place them in a hot oven for about an hour.
2. When they are done, allow them to cool slightly and then use a
potato ricerto rice them.
3. Next, you are going to evenly distribute the riced potatoes on a baking sheet and then allow them to dry out overnight in the fridge, or place them in the freezer for 20 minutes.
4. While the potatoes are chilling, mix up the other ingredients.
5. Place the chilled riced potatoes in a mixing bowl and slowly incorporate the flour mixture with the potatoes.
6. When the mixture looks uniform, add the eggs, working them in with a fork until just mixed.
7. Once everything is mixed, use both hands to form a ball with the potato mixture. Knead it lightly a few times until it forms a homogenous dough.
8. Using light and even pressure, form the dumplings to about the size of golf balls.
Now you're ready to cook them in some salted hot water.
9. Once you add the dumplings to the water, reduce the heat to a low boil. A hard boil can cause them to break apart. Just like magic, they will begin to float to the top of the water as they cook. You're going to allow them to rest at the top surface for six minutes before removing them from the pot.
10. Use a slotted spoon to place the cooked potato dumplings in a
Dutch ovenand then evenly slather melted butter over them.
How to season these
We like to add some parsley, chives, or other fresh herbs to these potato dumplings. Some other ideas might include:
- Parmesan cheese
- Tomato sauce
- Gravy
Use whatever sounds tasty to you and then cover them and place in a hot oven for six or seven minutes.
What to with these
We like to serve these potato dumplings with a savory meat entrée, like our braised pork shoulder recipe. Our fried cabbage recipe also makes for a nice compliment to the dumplings, full of color and more savory flavors.
More of tasty dumpling recipes
- Goulash with Steamed Dumplings
- Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings
- Spinach Dumplings in Chicken Noodle Soup
- Polish Pierogi Dumplings
- Chicken and Dumpling Soup
See all of our side dish recipes
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📖 Recipe
Homemade Potato Dumplings (Kartoffelknödel) Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Russet potatoes baked, peeled, cooled, riced.
- 2 eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- ¾ cup flour all-purpose
- 2 tbsp potato starch or corn starch
- salt and pepper
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 4 quarts water
- ½ cup butter melted
- 2 tbsp parseley fresh chopped
- 1 tbsp chives freash chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° F. Wash potatoes, pierce the skins with a fork and place on a baking sheet. Bake for about an hour or until you can easily pierce through the potatoes with a paring knife.
- Allow the potatoes to cool slightly. Remove skins and then use a potato ricer to end up with 24 oz. of riced potatoes.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and evenly spread the riced potatoes on the baking sheet. Place in refrigerator overnight, uncovered, or in the freezer for 20 minutes if you are making these the same day.
- Using a small mixing bowl, beat the eggs and egg yolks together until blended. In a separate mixing bowl, mix the flour, potato starch, nutmeg, and salt and pepper (to taste).
- Transfer the chilled potatoes to a medium-size mixing bowl and add the flour all at once and gently cut it into the potatoes until evenly combined. Do not over-mix. Then add the eggs.
- Use a fork to uniformly combine the mixture. Then take both hands and form a ball, lightly packing it together.
- Place water in a large pot, add a little salt and bring to a boil. In the meantime, break off small chunks of the potato ball and form golf ball-sized dumplings between the palms of your hands, using light but firm pressure.
- When the water comes to a boil, place half the dumplings into the pot and reduce heat to a low boil. When the dumplings float to the top, leave in the water for six more minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in a Dutch oven. You should end up with about 24 dumplings and can boil them in two batches. Preheat the oven to 400° F.
- Slather the melted butter over the dumplings, then add fresh herbs and gently stir the dumplings to ensure even an even distribution. Cover the dumplings and place in hot oven for about seven minutes. Remove from oven and then serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Russet potatoes will give you a nice starchy mix to work with for this recipe.
- When boiling the dumplings, replace any water that may be lost to evaporation.
lisa
can these be made ahead a frozen
Dan from Platter Talk
Yes. You can make the dough ahead, form them, then freeze them for up to 3 months. Wrap them in plastic kitchen wrap and make sure you get all the air out. Allow them to thaw in the fridge overnight and then finish making as directed.
Jody Rogers
My dumpling recipe came from my husband's czechslovakian grandmother. Her ingredients were: 2 potatoes, 1 egg, 1/3 cup cream of wheat, 2 cups flour and caraway seeds. Put together, knead flour into potatoes and egg. Make into a long roll, slice into 1 inch slices, boil in saltwater for 10-15 minutes. Put into a bowl of sauerkraut, with more caraway seeds. Put into a casserole dish and bake for 30 minutes @ 350°. It's wonderful!! A Thanksgiving tradition for many years.
Debbie
I've tried several potato dumpling recipes over the years, and this is the 1st time I've had them turn out PERFECTLY! It's also the 1st time I've come across the method of baking, and drying out the potatoes overnight. I really think that was key! Thank you so much, they were the perfect compliment to my Christmas day Sauerbraten!
Mark Salisbury
My Grandma made similar but used Cream of Wheat instead of flour to extend the potatoes. They come out a little heavy, but are filling. We used to joke about not going swimming after eating a couple of these! Served with a roast chicken and used the chicken juice/ gravy instead of butter. Good the next day, sliced and fried with scrambled egg.
Dan from Platter Talk
Great comments, Mark. Thanks for sharing!
Sharon K Robinson
I make my potatoes dumplings from my childrens great-grandmothers recipe. We boil potatoes and they sit unpeeled in the fridge for 3 days to get rid of all the moisture. We peel them then rice them and add 2 eggs and salt and lard then mix that together and add equal parts flour. Form a softball size portion. Then boil them in water til they float. They are great the next day sliced and fried in butter with syrup! Delicious