German Bread Dumplings Recipe – Oma's Semmelknödel Rezept (2024)

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German Bread Dumplings Recipe – Oma's Semmelknödel Rezept (1)

by: Gerhild Fulson / Cookbook Author, Blogger, German Oma!

These traditionalGerman bread dumplings, akaSemmelknödel,are great when you've gotdelicious gravyto soak up. Traditional for the Bavarian region, that is! I had never heard of these before I was asked if I had a recipe.

A recipe for dumplings, yes. But made out of bread? You see, my Mutti came from Berlin. That's where German potato dumplings rule! And, those are the ones I grew up with.

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German Bread Dumplings Recipe – Oma's Semmelknödel Rezept (4)

What are German Knödel or dumplings usually made of?

Our dumplings were always made withpotatoesand were stuffed with bread croutons. But then, I came from the northern part of Germany where potatoes are king.

But,I like challenges, and these bread dumplings are the delicious results!As well, they are a great way to use up leftover bread. These are the dumplings that are so popular in Southern Germany.

But, there are so many other types of dumplingsthat are popular in Germany. From ones made from liver (YES, I said liver) known asLeberknödel to others made with a yeast dough, Dampfnudeln or Cream of Wheat.

Hints:

  • Don't use a knife when cutting these dumplings apart – pull apart with two forks – that's the Bavarian tradition! And then pour gravy over the top!

How German bread dumplings are made...

Literally, one takes leftover German rolls or good stale bread andreconstitutes them with some warm milk. Add some extra ingredients and then create the dough. Simmered in water and then served… OH, SO GOOD!

See that lonely little dumpling swimming in the water? That's my test dumpling in the bottom left photo of this collage.

German Bread Dumplings Recipe – Oma's Semmelknödel Rezept (5)

Leftover bread dumplings?

A further bit of experimentation and the recipe above is the result. If perchance, you end up with leftovers – GREAT! Slice them and fry them in a bit of butter.

Serve with fried eggs for breakfast or a light lunch. Actually, you'll want to make extra dumplings just for the leftovers! Many times, this leftover meal tastes better than the fresh meal made the day before.

Grab your copy of and make those traditional German treats for your family today!

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Dumpling hints ...

After the first few times you make these, you'll get the feel of the right consistency of the batter. Then, you probably don't need to make a test dumpling if you're in a hurry.

I usually play it safe and always make one. Takes just a few more minutes, but you'll be assured your dumplings will hold together. It's also a perfect snack to nibble on while the rest of the dumplings cook.

The color of your dumplings will reflect the type of bread you use. Darker for a whole wheat bread, lighter for a white bread. Here are some made with white bread.

You'll soon be a pro at making these great gravy soaker-uppers! Try them next time you make a sauerbraten orpork roast. With a side of red cabbage, this is German cuisine at its best!

German Bread Dumplings Recipe – Oma's Semmelknödel Rezept (7)

Oma says,

The first hard lesson I learned: doNOTuse regular packaged squishy sliced sandwich bread that you can buy in Canada or the States.

Use a good quality German, French, or Italian bread. Or make your own German bread rollsand let them harden overnight.

Did you know ...

... that this simple side dish is one of the TOP 10 traditional side dishes to serve with Rouladen? Really.

These Bavarian bread dumplings are absolutely wonderful paired with so many German dishes. Basically, any meat dishes served with gravy. Here are some of my favorites:

  • Oma's Slow Cooker Roast Beef
  • Oma's German Goulash
  • Oma's Jagerschnitzel(that heavenly combination of a creamy bacon & mushroom sauce over crispy breaded pork cutlets)
  • Oma's Oven-Cooked Pork Roast
  • Oma's Traditional Roast Duck Recipe

Ready to make some delicious bread dumplings?

Is the recipe below locked?Here'swhy.

German Bread Dumplings Recipe – Oma's Semmelknödel Rezept (8)

German Bread Dumplings Recipe – Oma's Semmelknödel Rezept

Oma's German bread dumplings are great when there's gravy to soak up. Thesetraditional Semmelknödelare from Bavaria and are the perfect side dish for your German meal. Traditional for the Bavarian region that is! However, they are so good and easy to make, they're popular elsewhere now.

Prep Time

15 minutes + soak time

Cook Time

20 minutes

Total Time

35 minutes + soak time

Servings:

makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

  • 10 -12 slices stale bread or 8 rolls (about 1 pound)
  • 1½ cups hot milk
  • 1 tablespoon salt, plus more as needed
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 slices bacon, diced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • about ¼ cup bread crumbs, as needed

Instructions:

  1. Cut bread or rolls, with crusts, into small pieces and put in a large bowl.
  2. Add milk. Let soak for about 30 to 60 minutes.
  3. Pour off excess milk.
  4. Fill a large pot (about 5 quart) with water to within 2-inches from the top. Add salt and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce to a slow simmer.
  5. Melt butter in a frying pan. Fry bacon and onion until bacon is crisp and onion is translucent. Add chopped parsley.
  6. Add bacon mixture to bread mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon. Taste the mixture and season with salt and pepper, if needed.
  7. Add eggs and mix in thoroughly.
  8. If the dumpling dough is too soft to form into dumplings, add breadcrumbs – just a tablespoon at a time – until mixture can be formed into dumplings.
  9. Form a small test dumpling and drop into gently simmering salted water and simmer. If it falls apart, the bread dumpling mixture is too dry. Add a bit more milk to the remaining dough.
  10. If it still holds together after 10 minutes, continue making the rest of the dumplings (about the size of a tennis ball, 2-inch or 5 cm) using wet hands or two wet tablespoons. Or wait until cooked for a total of 20 minutes. Taste test dumpling and adjust seasoning for remaining dough if needed before making the rest.
  11. The dumplings need to simmer about 20 minutes.
  12. Remove with a slotted spoon or spider and drain briefly on paper towels before serving.

Notes/Hints:

  • Use a good quality German, French, Italian, or homemade bread or hard rolls – something with a bit of a bite, not that packaged sandwich bread.
  • Add 1 teaspoon dried marjoram or a pinch of nutmeg, if desired.
  • For a vegetarian option, omit the bacon.
  • Leftover dumplings are wonderful the next day when sliced and fried in butter until golden brown.
  • Extra leftover bread? Make Kirschenmichel for dessert.

* * * * *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

09.17.2022 revision update

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German Bread Dumplings Recipe – Oma's Semmelknödel Rezept (12)

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German Bread Dumplings Recipe – Oma's Semmelknödel Rezept (20)

German Bread Dumplings ~ Oma's Semmelknödel

By Oma Gerhild Fulson
German Bread Dumplings Recipe – Oma's Semmelknödel Rezept (21)
Oma's German bread dumplings are great when there's gravy to soak up. These Semmelknödel are from Bavaria and are an easy way traditional side dish for your German meal.

Ingredients: stale bread,milk,salt,bacon,onions,butter,parsley,eggs,breadcrumbs,

For the full recipe, scroll up ...

Words to the Wise

"Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life."

Proverbs 16:31 (NLT)

Top of German Bread Dumplings

German Bread Dumplings Recipe – Oma's Semmelknödel Rezept (2024)

FAQs

What are German Knödel or dumplings usually made of? ›

They are bread dumplings that are made from stale bread, onions and egg. They are served as a side dish with sauces, roasts, meats and soups. The name is put together through two German words: “Semmel” is the Bavarian and Austrian word for a bread roll, and “Knödel” means dumpling in German.

Why are my bread 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.

What is a Knödel in German? ›

A unique use for old bread, knödel are tender German bread dumplings reminiscent of moist, savory bread pudding. When rolled into balls, they're an airy accompaniment to braised meat such as rouladen and sauerbraten. Formed as a log and then sliced and pan-fried, they're a tasty snack on their own.

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.

Can you freeze Knödel? ›

There are two ways to go about freezing Semmelknödel. The results are very similar so choose the one that appeals to you. Freeze first, then cook. Dust the shaped dumplings with a bit of flour, arrange them onto a baking sheet and place them in the freezer.

Where did Knödel originate? ›

Knödel have been cooked in the Alps for more than 4,000 years. One of the first versions was the mashed grain Knödel, which was baked on the shores of Lake Mondsee in Upper Austria.

What is the difference between Knödel and Klose? ›

Knödel are used in various dishes in Austrian, German, Slovak and Czech cuisine. From these regions, Knödel spread throughout Europe. Klöße are also large dumplings, steamed or boiled in hot water, made of dough from grated raw or mashed potatoes, eggs and flour.

What are the 3 components of dumplings? ›

Dumplings are made from a simple dough consisting of all-purpose flour, water, and salt. The shaped dumplings are either fried in a pan until golden brown or boiled in a soup.

Why are my dumplings not light and fluffy? ›

The trickiest part of the dumplings remaining fluffy lies with the cooking time. If the dumplings are cooked for too long, then they will become hard. If they are cooked and allowed to remain in the heated environment – in the hot liquid or covered in the hot pot, then the dumpling will contract and get hard.

Should dumplings float or sink? ›

The dumplings will be completely cooked and ready when they float on the surface of the boiling water.

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.

What do Germans eat with dumplings? ›

These potato dumplings are deceptively fluffy! You will usually see these potato dumplings, or Kartoffelklöße (pronounced kartoff-el-kleuz-ze) or Knödel, on the side of our favourite meat dishes, like Sauerbraten, Roast Pork or Beef Rouladen.

What is pig in German slang? ›

But the word for pig, das Schwein (pig), or die Sau (female pig, specifically a sow), is also used in many other idioms in German. For example, if you've just had a stroke of luck, you might say, Schwein gehabt. You've “had” a pig. If it lasts a while, you're a Glücksschwein.

What does putzi mean in German? ›

Putzi. (das) baby [österr.] Putzi (dog name)

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 are dumplings called in English? ›

They are typically recognized by their English translation — pot stickers. Originating in Northern China, these dumplings are filled with ground meat and vegetables, such as cabbage, scallions, garlic and ginger and wrapped in a thin, circular-shaped wrapper made of flour and water.

What do Italians call dumplings? ›

Gnocchi (/ˈn(j)ɒki/ N(Y)OK-ee, US: /ˈn(j)oʊki, ˈn(j)ɔːki/ N(Y)OH-kee, N(Y)AW-; Italian: [ˈɲɔkki]; sg. : gnocco) are a varied family of dumplings in Italian cuisine.

Can you freeze homemade dumplings before cooking? ›

Freeze the dumplings: If not cooking right away, freeze the dumplings on the baking sheet. Make sure none of the dumplings are touching or they will stick together. Once frozen solid, portion the dumplings into freezer containers and freeze for up to three months.

How to prevent dumplings from sticking in the freezer? ›

Choose a wide container or tray. Line the container with parchment paper or lightly dust it with flour. Place the dumplings on a single layer with ample space in between to prevent sticking. Freeze the dumplings until they are fully frozen.

Who invented dumplings? ›

Most experts believe that dumplings were invented by Zhang Zhongjing, a Chinese medicine practitioner who lived in the Eastern Han Dynasty, the second imperial dynasty of China that lasted from 206 BC to 220 AD. As legend tells it, it was a difficult winter and many were experiencing ill effects from the cold.

What are German noodles are dumplings usually made of? ›

To make spaetzle, you just mix flour, egg, and a bit of milk into a pancake batter-like consistency. Then you drop little lumps of the batter into some salted boiling water. After a moment, the spaetzle float to the top of the pot, and they're ready to scoop out and eat.

What are dumplings traditionally made of? ›

Dumplings are most commonly formed from flour or meal bound with egg and then simmered in water or gravy stock until they take on a light cakey texture. Many recipes call for herbs, onions, grated cheese, or chopped meat to be rolled into the dough before cooking.

What are most dumplings made of? ›

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

What's the difference between dumplings and matzo balls? ›

Matzo balls are a form of dumpling, but instead of a biscuit-type dough, they're made with matzo meal, a traditional Passover ingredient. As they cook in the broth, matzo balls lighten and become fluffy.

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