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Oma's Authentic German Potato Dumplings (Kartoffelknödel)

German potato dumplings (kartoffelklöße) are a family favorite, the perfect side to almost any meal. I’ll show you exactly how I make them.

Ingredients:

• about 2¼ pounds (1.02 kilograms) Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, washed and unpeeled
• 4 slices day-old bread (see below)
• 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter
• 1 cup (152 grams) potato starch or (128 grams) cornstarch, plus more if needed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon (6 grams) salt

Instructions:

1. In a large pot of boiling water, cook the potatoes in their skins until they are fork tender. Cool them slightly and peel.
2. Rice the potatoes into a large bowl while they’re still warm. Let them become totally cold, cover, and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
3. Cut the bread slices into small cubes to make croutons.
4. Melt the butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the bread cubes and fry, stirring frequently, until golden brown on all sides. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
5. Add the potato starch, eggs, and salt to the bowl of riced potatoes. Mix well to make a smooth dough that holds together when formed into dumplings. If the mixture is too moist, add a bit more starch.
6. Form 12 to 14 dumplings, about the size of a tennis ball, adding a few croutons to the middle of each dumpling. Use floured or wet hands, if needed.
7. Drop the dumplings gently into a pot of salted, simmering water. Simmer gently, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes, until they float.
8. Remove the cooked 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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Updated: January 19, 2026