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Semmelknödel

Pillowy bread dumplings made from day-old rolls, milk, and eggs, poached until tender — the indispensable companion to roasts, stews, and mushroom gravy.

⏱ 20 minPrep time
🔥 25 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Semmelknödel recipe photo

Pillowy bread dumplings that soak up gravy like the best sponges — Semmelknödel are the unsung heroes of the German table. Stale rolls, milk, eggs and a little onion are shaped into soft orbs that simmer to cloud-like tenderness.

They’re the essential companion to roasts, sauerbraten and mushroom sauces across southern Germany and Austria. Handle them gently and they’ll reward you with featherlight bites.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Put the bread cubes in a large bowl and pour the warm milk over them. Let soak 10 minutes.
  2. Soften the onion in the butter over low heat until translucent; add to the bread.
  3. Add the eggs, flour, parsley, salt and nutmeg. Mix gently with your hands until the mixture just holds together.
  4. With wet hands, shape into 6–8 large dumplings.
  5. Bring a wide pot of salted water to a gentle simmer. Slide in the dumplings and simmer 15–20 minutes, turning once, until puffed and cooked through.
  6. Drain and serve with roast pork, sauerbraten or any gravy-rich dish.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Stale bread is essential — fresh bread turns the dumplings gummy. Keep the water at a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil, or the dumplings fall apart.

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Recipe details

Prep20 min
Cook25 min
Servings4
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →