Looking for a warm, comforting meal that brings back memories of home-cooked food? These soft and fluffy homemade dumplings are just what you need. Made with simple pantry staples, this recipe comes together in only 20 minutes. Whether you drop them into chicken soup or a hearty stew, these dumplings make any dish better.
What Are Dumplings?
Dumplings are small balls of dough that are usually boiled, steamed, or fried. In American cooking, dumplings are often cooked in soup or stew to make dishes like chicken and dumplings, a classic comfort food. As they cook, the dumplings soak up flavor from the broth and help thicken it too.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Uses 6 basic ingredients
- Light, fluffy, and tender texture
- Great with soup, stew, or gravy
Ingredients for Homemade Dumplings
Here’s everything you need to make these simple drop dumplings:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour – Forms the base and gives structure
- 2 teaspoons baking powder – Helps the dough rise for a fluffy texture
- 1 teaspoon white sugar – Adds a hint of sweetness and helps retain moisture
- ½ teaspoon salt – Enhances the flavor
- 1 tablespoon butter or margarine (cold) – Adds richness and softness
- ½ cup whole milk – Binds everything into a smooth dough
Optional: Add 1 tablespoon of dried parsley for herbed dumplings.
How to Make Fluffy Dumplings (Step-by-Step)
- Mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- Cut in the butter. Use a pastry cutter or fork to mix the butter into the flour until the mixture looks crumbly.
- Add the milk. Pour in the milk and stir just until you get a thick, sticky batter. Let it rest for about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Cook the dumplings. Drop spoonfuls of dough into a pot of gently boiling soup or stew. Cover the pot with a lid and do not lift it during cooking. Let the dumplings simmer for 15 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy. Once they’re cooked through and fluffy, serve the dumplings hot with your favorite stew or broth.
How to Tell When Dumplings Are Done
To check if the dumplings are cooked, insert a toothpick or fork into the center. If it comes out clean, they’re ready.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Refrigerate leftovers: Store cooked dumplings or dumpling soup in an airtight container in the fridge. Use within 2 to 3 days.
Reheat gently: Warm on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave using short 10-second bursts.
How to Freeze Dumpling Dough
Want to prep ahead? Here’s how to freeze dumpling dough:
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a lined baking sheet.
- Freeze for 3 hours or until solid.
- Transfer to a freezer bag or container.
- Label with the date and freeze for up to 3 months.
To use, let thaw for 30 minutes, then drop directly into hot soup or stew.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
- Calories: 106
- Fat: 3g
- Carbs: 18g
- Protein: 3g
- Sodium: 364mg
- Calcium: 118mg
- Iron: 1mg
Homemade Dumplings
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- Cut in the cold butter using a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture looks crumbly.
- Add the milk and stir gently until a thick batter forms. Let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Drop spoonfuls of batter into a pot of gently boiling soup or stew.
- Cover the pot with a lid and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Check doneness with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, the dumplings are ready. Serve hot.