Homemade Dumplings (2024)

Prep Time:

5 mins

Cook Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

20 mins

Servings:

6

Yield:

6 dumplings

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Have a hankering for light, fluffy, tender dumplings just like your mom used to make? You've come to the right place. These homemade dumplings are easy to make with just six pantry staples – and they're even easier to eat. With this top-rated recipe, you'll make perfect dumplings every time.

What Are Dumplings?

A dumpling is a small mass of dough that can be boiled, fried, baked, or steamed. There are a ton of dumpling varieties out there, from pork- and cabbage-filled Chinese dumplings to cheesy Polish dumplings.

These boiled drop dumplings, which are popular in the U.S., are often paired with chicken and broth to create a popular comfort food called chicken and dumplings.

They're prepared by dropping spoonfuls of dough into a pot of boiling soup or stew. The starch in the dumplings thickens the broth, resulting in a rich stew that's impossible to resist.

Dumpling Ingredients

This recipe is made with just six ingredients you probably already have on hand.

Flour
These dumplings start with all-purpose flour, which creates structure and holds the other ingredients together.

Baking Powder
Baking powder is a leavening agent, which means it releases gas that makes the dough expand. It's responsible for the dumplings' light and fluffy texture.

White Sugar
A teaspoon of sugar adds an extremely subtle hint of sweetness. It also helps the dumplings retain their moisture through the cooking process and slows gluten development, which ensures tender dumplings.

Salt
A pinch of salt seasons the dumplings and enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.

Butter or Margarine
Cold butter or margarine is cut into the flour mixture to bind the dry ingredients together. It also keeps the dumplings light and tender.

Milk
Whole milk helps create a smooth, moist dough.

How to Tell When Dumplings Are Done

To make sure a dumpling is done cooking, pierce it with a fork or toothpick. You'll know it's done when the fork or toothpick comes out clean.

How to Store Dumplings

You can store leftover cooked dumplings or dumpling soup in an airtight container in the fridge for two to three days. Reheat gently on the stove or in 10-second intervals in the microwave.

How to Freeze Dumplings

Some people like to freeze dumpling dough for quick and easy cooking.

It couldn't be easier: Just drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet, flash freeze for at least three hours or up to overnight, then transfer the now-frozen dough to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Label with the date and freeze for about three months.

When it's time to use them, let the dumplings thaw for about 30 minutes and then drop them directly into the soup or stew.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"I have made the same old dumplings for years," says LIZ1888. "I came upon this recipe and tried it. These were great! I made them for chicken and dumplings. They also thickened the sauce as they cooked."

"The dumplings came out so light and fluffy and flavorful," according to ALISON K. "I was searching for a dumpling recipe made from scratch instead of a mix and was so happy to find this one."

"I topped a vegetable stew with these dumplings on a chilly autumn evening in Wisconsin," says Pam Westfall "Oh yum! Truly delicious. The perfect comfort food!"

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 1 teaspoon white sugar

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 1 tablespoon butter or margarine

  • ½ cup milk

Directions

  1. Stir together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a bowl.

    Homemade Dumplings (1)

  2. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Stir in milk and mix until a batter forms that is thick enough to be scooped with a spoon. Allow batter to rest for 3 to 5 minutes.

    Homemade Dumplings (2)

    Homemade Dumplings (3)

  3. Drop batter by spoonfuls into boiling stew or soup. Cover and simmer without lifting the lid for 15 minutes. Serve.

    Homemade Dumplings (4)

  4. Serve hot and enjoy!

    Homemade Dumplings (5)

Recipe Tips

To make parsley dumplings, add 1 tablespoon parsley flakes to the dry ingredients.

For a finer consistency, sift the flour mixture.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

105Calories
2g Fat
18g Carbs
3g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe6
Calories105
% Daily Value *
Total Fat2g3%
Saturated Fat1g3%
Cholesterol2mg1%
Sodium386mg17%
Total Carbohydrate18g7%
Dietary Fiber1g2%
Total Sugars2g
Protein3g6%
Calcium118mg9%
Iron1mg6%
Potassium54mg1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Powered by the ESHA Research Database © 2018, ESHA Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Homemade Dumplings (2024)

FAQs

What are the three components of dumplings? ›

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

What kind of flour is used for dumplings? ›

These dumplings start with all-purpose flour, which creates structure and holds the other ingredients together. Baking powder is a leavening agent, which means it releases gas that makes the dough expand. It's responsible for the dumplings' light and fluffy texture.

What is dumpling dough made of? ›

From-scratch dumpling dough requires only two ingredients — flour and water — and the water temperature yields different types of wrappers. Cold water is best for boiled dumplings because it causes the flour's proteins to form the gluten that makes dough chewy and able to withstand vigorously boiling water.

Is it plain or self raising flour for dumplings? ›

Ingredients: 150g self raising flour (or 150g plain flour and 2 tsp baking powder mixed together) 60g shredded suet (suet gives best results in my opinion but you can substitute it with lard or butter if you must)

What are southern dumplings made of? ›

Dumplings: In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, baking powder and shortening with a fork. Add egg and 1/2 cup milk; mix to form dough. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness on floured surface. Cut into four-inch strips with sharp knife.

What are cracker barrel dumplings made of? ›

The Cracker Barrel dumpling ingredients are very simple: just flour and buttermilk! The use of buttermilk adds a slight tang and a light, fluffy texture that you won't get with regular milk. The sauce, or broth, is a base of chicken stock, flavored with onions, carrots, and celery.

What happens if you use plain flour instead of self raising flour? ›

Because plain flour contains no extra ingredients, including rising agents, your cakes and pastries won't rise if you use this type of flour as it is. You'll need to add a rising agent, such as yeast or baking powder, into the plain flour if you want your baked goods to rise and become appetisingly fluffy.

Can I use bread flour instead of all purpose for dumplings? ›

You don't need speciality dumpling flour to make these wrappers – regular plain, all-purpose flour is absolutely fine. You could also use bread flour if you have it. Water. This recipe is a hot water dough, which I find a lot easier to work with.

What are American dumplings made of? ›

Some of the ingredient list consists of beef, eggs, potatoes, flour, parsley, lard, onions, butter, cubed bread, milk, peper, and salt. What makes the preparation of the dumplings is that they are boiled in the beef broth, then later pan fried with butter.

What is the difference between dumplings and potstickers? ›

Unlike dumplings, potstickers are made with a thin wrapper, sometimes referred to as a dumpling skin. This is because they are steam fried to get a crispy golden bottom layer and to ensure that the filling is juicy and delicious.

What are original dumplings made of? ›

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. The fried version is usually served as an accompaniment to breakfast codfish.

Are dumplings done when they float? ›

Cover and bring to a vigorous boil. Add roughly one cup of cold water and return to boil while covered. Repeat this step again. The dumplings will be completely cooked and ready when they float on the surface of the boiling water.

Can you use normal flour for dumplings? ›

For dumplings made with wheat flour, all purpose or plain flour will suffice. If your recipe calls for leavening, you'll need to add baking powder and salt. Alternatively, you can use self-rising flour which has the leavening included. For a lot of dumplings, plain flour is all that is required with no baking powder.

Why do my dumplings not rise? ›

Double-check that you added the correct amount of baking powder and that it's not expired. Additionally, if the dumplings don't have room to grow in the pot, they may not rise properly. Make sure to drop them spaced apart and on top of the meat and vegetables so that they don't sink into the stew.

What is the composition of dumplings? ›

Dumpling is a broad class of dishes that consist of pieces of cooked dough (made from a variety of starchy sources), often wrapped around a filling. The dough can be based on bread, wheat or other flours, or potatoes, and it may be filled with meat, fish, tofu, cheese, vegetables, or a combination.

What are dumplings usually 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 the 3 main ways to cook dumplings? ›

Before you even start making your dumplings, first think about how you want to cook them. There are three basic ways: steaming, boiling, and steam-frying.

What is in the dumplings in the movie dumplings? ›

Mei cooks her some special dumplings which she claims to be effective for rejuvenation. She tells Mrs. Li that the secret ingredient for her rejuvenating dumplings is unborn fetuses imported from an abortion clinic in Shenzhen, where she used to work. Mrs.

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