Potato dumplings are one of the most comforting traditional sides — soft, tender and perfect with rich sauces and festive roasts. With just a few ingredients and the right technique, these classic German Knödel become beautifully fluffy and hold their shape without falling apart.

Classic German Potato Dumplings
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Category
Side Dish, Traditional
Cuisine
German
Author:
Stefie
Servings
6
Prep Time
20-25 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 kg starchy potatoes (mealy)
- 120 g potato starch
- 1 egg
- 40 g butter (melted)
- 1 tsp salt
- A pinch of nutmeg
Directions
Cook the potatoes
Wash, peel and cut the potatoes into chunks. Place them in salted water and cook until completely soft.
Drain well and allow the potatoes to steam-dry for a few minutes — dry potatoes create a smoother dumpling dough.Mash the potatoes
Press the hot potatoes through a potato ricer or mash them very finely until completely lump-free. Spread them slightly so excess steam can escape and let them cool down to warm, not hot.
Form the dough
Sprinkle the potato starch evenly over the warm potatoes. Add the egg, melted butter, salt and nutmeg.
Gently mix everything together just until a soft, smooth, cohesive dough forms. Avoid working the dough too long — overmixing can make dumplings dense instead of tender.Shape the dumplings
Lightly moisten your hands. Shape the dough into 6–8 even dumplings.
If using toasted bread cubes, place one cube in the center of each dumpling and shape the dough around it.Prepare the water
Bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle simmer.
The water must stay below a boil — boiling water can cause the dumplings to break apart.Cook the dumplings
Lower the dumplings gently into the simmering water. Let them cook for 20–25 minutes, until they rise to the surface and feel firm when lifted.
Do not stir; allow them to cook undisturbed.Serve
Lift the dumplings out with a slotted spoon and place them on a warm plate.
Serve immediately with gravy, roasted meat or festive dishes.
Recipe Note
These classic potato dumplings turn soft and delicate while staying perfectly round and stable in the simmering water. Their buttery flavor and smooth texture make them a wonderful companion to roasted meats, rich sauces and cozy winter meals.
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