Sourdough Dumplings (Quick & Easy Discard Recipe) - Hopewell Heights (2024)

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This quick & easy sourdough dumplings recipe made with sourdough discard is the perfect addition to any dumpling soup, especially bone broth chicken soup which is the ultimate comfort food and a favorite hearty meal in my home!

Sourdough Dumplings (Quick & Easy Discard Recipe) - Hopewell Heights (1)

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When it comes to homemade dumplings, I’m team biscuit dumplings all the way. Noodle dumplings are good, don’t get me wrong. But you just can’t beat fluffy, buttery, biscuit dumplings, in my opinion.

Especially these sourdough discard dumplings which are a great way to use up extra starter or even cold ferment your dumplings for a few days to get some of that tangy sourdough flavor.

These dumplings are so quick and easy, that they’re a staple in wintertime soups around here. A big bowl of soup with pillowy dumplings is such a comforting meal in the cooler months of the year Sometimes I double or triple the batch and freeze the extra for a quick partially prepped meal add-in during busy seasons. As I write this, baby number five’s arrival is getting closer and I need to think about food prepping. Making and freezing a huge batch of these easy sourdough dumplings is definitely on my to-do list.

This is my absolute favorite soup to add these dumplings to – homemade chicken and dumpling soup!

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Why You’ll Love this Sourdough Dumplings Recipe

  • This recipe is just a modification of my favorite biscuit recipe. This biscuit recipe is so versatile, it can be used in a number of recipes. So, if you like these dumplings – try cutting the dough into biscuits and baking them instead!
  • These dumplings are not at all gummy or doughy. They cook so well when added to a large pot of soup and turn out pillowy and buttery every time.
  • This recipe can be used for drop dumplings too. Just mix the dough ingredients in a large mixing bowl and drop a tablespoon of dumpling dough in a large soup pot full of soup that’s boiling at medium-high heat.
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Spend a late fall day cooking from scratch with me in my homestead kitchen. I’ll show you what we eat in a day, which includes chicken dumpling soup made with these easy sourdough dumplings.

What You’ll Need

Dumpling Dough Ingredients

1 1/4 cup flour = 155 grams

1/2 teaspoon sea salt = 3 grams

1 teaspoon sugar = 4 grams

2 teaspoons baking powder = 8 grams

6 tablespoons cold butter, cubed or grated = 85 grams

1/2 cup sourdough starter = 120 grams

1 egg = 50 grams

1/4 cup milk = 60 grams

Tools

Large Mixing Bowl

Rolling Pin

Bench Scraper

Pizza Wheel

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Sourdough Dumplings

Mix the dry ingredients. Add flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder to a large bowl and whisk to combine.

Add cold, grated/cubed butter and cut into the flour mixture with a fork.

Add the egg, sourdough starter, and milk to the bowl and stir with a spoon until the dough is shaggy.

Do not knead. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and fold the dough a few times to work all the flour in.

Roll the dough out into a square so it’s about 1/4” thick. Use a pizza cutter or bench scraper to cut the dumplings to be 1/2” x 1/2”.

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Add to your favorite soup that’s boiling at medium heat to medium-high heat immediately or save for later use.

FAQ

  • What is sourdough?
    • Sourdough is a type of dough made using wild yeast for fermentation and leavening. A sourdough starter is needed to make sourdough recipes. Sourdough discard is inactive sourdough starter. When sourdough discard is used in a recipe, an additional leavening agent such as commercial yeast or baking powder must be used as well.
  • How do I make a sourdough starter?
    • To make a sourdough starter, mix equal parts water and flour in a jar, cover with a loose fitting lid, and allow to ferment at room temp for 24 hours. Discard half of the mixture after the 24 hours is up, “feed” the starter equal parts water and flour, cover with a loose fitting lid, and allow to ferment at room temp for 24 hours. Repeat this process of discarding, feeding, and fermenting for 1-2 weeks and you will have a mature sourdough starter ready to bake with. See my detailed blog posts onhow to make and maintain a sourdough starter.
  • How long does it take to make sourdough dumplings?
    • Since this is a discard recipe, these sourdough dumplings are quick & easy and only take 10 minutes to make plus an additional 15-20 minutes to cook once added to your favorite dumpling soup in a large soup pot.
  • Can I use all-purpose flour to make sourdough dumplings?
    • Yes. This recipe works well with all-purpose flour. Any high-quality flour will work well in this recipe, just adjust and add less flour when using whole grains.
  • Can I long-ferment sourdough dumplings?
    • These dumplings can be cold-proofed in the fridge overnight or for a few days. Just wrap the dough ball in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to roll and cut it into dumplings.
  • Can I freeze sourdough dumplings?
    • Yes, sourdough dumplings can be frozen before cooking. To freeze, toss the dumplings in 2T flour so they are well coated and do not stick together. Spread evenly on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and freeze for 6 hours. After the dumplings are frozen, seal them in an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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Tips for making homemade dumplings

  • Use very cold butter and work quickly when mixing, rolling, and cutting the biscuit dough so the butter doesn’t melt. This will result in more pillowy dumplings.
  • Add some herbs and black pepper to your dumpling dough when mixing the dry ingredients for extra flavor.
  • Add these easy sourdough dumplings to homemade chicken soup made from a whole chicken for a rich, flavorful, hearty meal.

Storage

These sourdough discard dumplings can be stored in the fridge for 5-7 days in an airtight container. They can also be frozen. To freeze, toss the dumplings in 2T flour so they are well coated and do not stick together. Spread evenly on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and freeze for 6 hours. After the dumplings are frozen, seal them in an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Sourdough Dumplings (Quick & Easy Discard Recipe) - Hopewell Heights (6)

Sourdough Dumplings (Quick & Easy Discard Recipe)

Yield: 4 cups sourdough dumplings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

sourdough dumplings made with sourdough discard are a quick & easy way to make your favorite soup the ultimate comfort food!

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cup flour = 155 grams
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt = 3 grams
  • 1 teaspoon sugar = 4 grams
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder = 8 grams
  • 6 tablespoons cold butter, cubed or grated = 85 grams
  • 1/2 cup sourdough starter discard = 120 grams
  • 1 egg = 50 grams
  • 1/4 cup milk = 60 grams

Instructions

  1. Combine flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
  1. Add cold, grated/cubed butter and cut into the flour mixture with a fork.
  2. Add the egg, sourdough starter, and milk to the bowl and stir with a spoon until the dough ball is shaggy.
  3. Do not knead. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and fold the dough a few times to work all the flour in.
  4. Roll the dough out into a square so it’s about 1/4” thick. Use a pizza cutter or bench scraper to cut the dumplings to be 1/2” x 1/2”.
  5. Add to a large pot of boiling soup immediately on medium heat to medium-high heat or save for later use. 15 minutes after you add the dumplings to the soup, use a soup spoon to lift a couple of dumplings out of the pot and test them with a fork to make sure they are done. If not, turn the dumpling soup down to low heat, wait 5 minutes, and check again.

Notes

These sourdough discard dumplings can be frozen. To freeze, toss the dumplings in 2T flour in a medium bowl so they are well coated and do not stick together. Spread evenly on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and freeze for 6 hours. After the dumplings are frozen, seal them in an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 189Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 333mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 4g

Did you make this recipe?

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Sourdough Dumplings (Quick & Easy Discard Recipe) - Hopewell Heights (2024)

FAQs

Why are my drop dumplings tough? ›

Don't Overwork the Dumpling Dough

Stir everything together until the wet and dry ingredients are combined and you don't see any more dry flour. The dough might look a little lumpy, but that's okay! Overworking the dough is one of the easiest ways to end up with tough dumplings.

How to keep dumplings from disintegrating in chicken and dumplings? ›

Keep the pot at a gentle simmer when cooking the dumplings. An aggressive simmer or boiling will break them apart. Keep the heat low and cover the pot so that they steam.

How do I steam dumplings? ›

Fill your pan or pot with water that is about 1 inch deep and bring to a boil. Place the steaming vessel over the boiling water, cover, and steam for about 10–15 minutes (this depends upon what you have inside—if you have raw ingredients like meat, steam for longer, whereas cooked ingredients will take less time).

Can you cook dumplings in the microwave? ›

For dumplings

Add frozen dumplings and water to the Anyday Dish. Cover with lid (knob lifted) and cook in the microwave for 3-4 minutes, or until the dumplings are warmed through and the dough is slightly transparent and shiny. Strain out the cooking water. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces.

How to cook dumplings in a pan? ›

In a large, non-stick pan, heat 1-2 tbsp. of oil over medium heat. Place the dumplings in the pan and fry on both sides until golden brown (you will need to do this in batches). Once golden brown, add a few tablespoons of water and cover with a lid to steam for about 3-5 minutes until the pork is cooked through.

How to make dumplings more juicy? ›

Hand-mincing meat and adding more pork belly results in the juiciest dumplings. Traditionally, some Chinese cuisine uses hand minced meat for their dishes. For example, lots of dim sum items like siu mai, pork buns, beef meatball, and more use hand minced meat to control the texture and fat content of the dish!

Why aren't my dumplings light and fluffy? ›

The trickiest part of the dumplings remaining fluffy lies with the cooking time. If the dumplings are cooked for too long, then they will become hard. If they are cooked and allowed to remain in the heated environment – in the hot liquid or covered in the hot pot, then the dumpling will contract and get hard.

Do you cook dumplings covered or uncovered? ›

Cover and simmer until dumplings are cooked through, about 15 minutes. Once you have covered the pan, do not uncover and peek while the dumplings are cooking! In order for the dumplings to be light and fluffy, they must steam, not boil. Uncovering the pan releases the steam.

How to thicken up chicken and dumplings without cornstarch? ›

You can make a slurry out of flour and cold water, add to the chicken mixture and cook until thickened (you need to cook this to cook the raw taste out of the flour).

How do you keep dumplings soft? ›

As you fold your dumplings, keep them covered with a slightly damp kitchen towel. This prevents the dumplings from drying out (dry skins can split when cooked). Making fresh dumpling wrappers isn't hard when you have Hetty McKinnon to guide you. (But we won't tell if you use store-bought.)

Is it better to steam or boil dumplings? ›

Steaming and boiling dumplings are cooking methods that involve water. Steaming uses hot water vapors to cook the dumplings. To boil dumplings, submerge them in a hot liquid, such as hot water or soup, to cook. Boiling dumplings yields a softer texture than steaming.

What do you put under dumplings when steaming? ›

To prevent sticking, you can line the bottom of the steamer basket with parchment paper or cabbage leave. Also, make sure that the dumplings are not overcrowded in the steamer, leaving enough space between them for steam to circulate evenly.

What are steamed dumplings called? ›

The name jiaozi refers to this type of dumpling generically, although jiaozi might be referred to as shui jiao, if boiled; zheng jiao, if steamed; and guo tie or jian jiao, if pan-fried.

Can you cook dumplings in an air fryer? ›

I recommend cooking dumplings at 360°F (180°C) in the air fryer. I find this temperature helps crisp them up well.

Can you just boil dumplings? ›

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook dumplings in batches of about eight until they are cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the dumplings to a serving platter. Serve warm with the dipping sauce.

Do frozen dumplings need to be thawed before cooking? ›

Do you need to defrost frozen dumplings? No, you do not need to defrost frozen dumplings before cooking, you can take them straight from the freezer to the pan. If you wanted a faster cooking time, let the dumplings partially thaw for 10 minutes before cooking.

How to make frozen dumplings taste homemade? ›

5 Ways Food Editors Turn Frozen Dumplings Into the Best Dinner
  1. Make a Stir-Fry. ...
  2. Drop Them Into Soups and Stews. ...
  3. Bulk Up a Salad. ...
  4. Just Add Eggs. ...
  5. Simply Eat Them As-Is With Your Favorite Dipping Sauce.
Mar 1, 2024

Can you buy ready made dumplings? ›

Want to take your dinner to the next level? Then try the Aunt Bessie's Dumplings. These vegetable suet dumplings really do hit the spot, so what are you waiting for? These suet dumplings are made just the way you'd do it, with flour and vegetable suet and a touch of seasoning.

What are the 6 ways to cook 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.

How to cook frozen dumplings on the stove? ›

How to pan-fry frozen dumplings. In a nonstick pan over medium-high heat, add ½ cup of water and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Place the frozen potstickers flat side-down and cover the pan with a lid for 8 to 12 minutes, until all the water has evaporated and the flat side of each potsticker is golden.

What is the traditional way of cooking dumplings? ›

Dumplings are traditionally boiled or steamed, but another fun way to prepare dumplings is to pan-fry them so they are super crispy on the bottom.

What causes dumplings to be chewy? ›

To achieve the desired chewiness, the main ingredient at play is gluten—the protein responsible for creating elasticity in dough. In Northern Chinese dumplings, the predominant use of wheat flour ensures a higher gluten content, imparting a hearty and chewy texture to the wrappers.

How do you know when drop 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 do you keep dumplings from getting gummy? ›

Why Are My Bisquick Dumplings Gooey? To make biscuit dumplings that are fluffy it's important to not over-mix the dough. Stop mixing once a soft dough forms. If you mix the dough too long, it will create dense and chewy dumplings that will take too long to cook all the way through.

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