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Oma's Authentic German Potato Dumplings (Kartoffelknödel)

German potato dumplings (kartoffelknödel) have been showing up on family tables for generations—easy to make, hard to resist, and always a reason to come hungry.

Ingredients:

• about 2¼ pounds (1.14 kilograms) starchy potatoes, cooked in their skins
• 4 slices day-old bread (see below)
• 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter
• about 1⅓ cups (203 grams) potato starch or cornstarch (see below)
• 2 large eggs
• 3 teaspoons (18 grams) salt, divided

Instructions:

1. The day before or several hours before making the dumplings, cook the potatoes (in their skins) in a large pot of water until fork-tender. Cool slightly and peel. Rice the potatoes. Let them become totally cold, cover, and refrigerate several hours or overnight.
2. Make croutons by cutting bread into small cubes.
3. Melt butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the cubes and fry, stirring frequently, until golden brown on all sides. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
4. To make the dumpling dough, in a large bowl, mix the potatoes that have been riced, 1 cup of starch, eggs, and 1 teaspoon salt into a smooth dough that holds together when formed into dumplings. If the mixture is too moist, add a bit more starch as needed.
5. Divide into 12 to 14 dumplings, about the size of a tennis ball. Taking one ball, press a few croutons into the middle of the dumpling, then roll until smooth. Use floured or wet hands if necessary. Repeat with all the dumplings.
6. Bring a wide pot of water to which you've added 2 teaspoons salt to a gentle simmer, then carefully drop in the potato balls and let them cook on a low simmer. They will sink at first, then rise as they cook. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
7. Remove the dumplings with a slotted spoon and serve immediately.

Notes/Hints:

• The first time you make this dumpling recipe, it's wise to make a test dumpling.  That way you'll be sure it holds together before cooking the rest. Adjust with more starch or liquid if needed.
• If you're making this gluten-free, use GF bread for the croutons. Check that the cornstarch is GF if you're using it.
• This popular side dish is amazing with mushroom gravy, or onion gravy.
• There are different German potato dumpling recipes. Try Mutti's thüringer klösse ... these delicious dumplings are made with raw potatoes and SO good!
• Another quite different dumpling recipe to make are dumplings made with bread.

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01.17.2025 revision update