German Potato Dumplings Recipe: Oma's Kartoffelklöße (Kartoffelknödel)

These delicious potato dumplings that use cooked potatoes are more than just a side dish. They are a piece of tradition, a comforting bite that brings back memories of siting around our family table. Give them a try, and you’ll understand why they are such a beloved part of my German cooking.

Servings:

This will make 4 servings.

Ingredients:

• about 2¼ pounds (1.14 kilograms) starchy potatoes, cooked in their skins
• 4 slices day-old bread
• 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter
• about 1⅓ cups (203 grams) potato starch or cornstarch
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon (6 grams) salt

Instructions:

1. The day before or several hours before making the dumplings, in a large pot of boiling water, cook the potatoes (in their skins) until fork-tender. Cool slightly and peel. Rice the potatoes (or mash if you don't have a ricer). 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 bread 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 riced potatoes, 1 cup of potato starch, eggs, and 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. Gently drop the potato balls into a wide pot of salted water, simmering gently. 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 German potato dumplings 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.
• This popular side dish is amazing with creamy mushroom sauce, 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 dumplings recipe to make are German bread dumplings.

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10.28.2024 revision update