Fluffy Drop Dumplings Recipe: Comfort Food Made Simple

Nestled in the heart of comfort food, drop dumplings offer a warm embrace of homestyle cooking that sparks memories of grandmother’s kitchen.

Soft clouds of dough float gently in rich, savory broth, promising pure culinary satisfaction.

Southern kitchens have long treasured this simple yet magical dish that turns basic ingredients into something extraordinary.

Crafting these pillowy morsels requires minimal skill but delivers maximum flavor and satisfaction.

Dense yet tender, each dumpling carries a rustic charm that connects you to traditional cooking methods.

Hearty and filling, this recipe invites you to create a meal that feels like a loving hug from the kitchen.

Drop Dumplings Recipe Overview

• Transform Any Meal: These drop dumplings instantly elevate simple soups and stews, adding a comforting, hearty touch that makes ordinary dishes feel special and homemade.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Soft, fluffy dumplings appeal to all ages, making it an ideal recipe for family dinners, potlucks, or cozy gatherings where everyone craves warm, satisfying food.
• Versatile Kitchen Hack: Easy to customize with herbs or cheese, these dumplings work with countless soup and stew recipes, giving you flexibility to match your taste preferences.

Ingredients Needed for Drop Dumplings

• All-Purpose Flour: A key base that provides structure and thickness for the dumplings.
• Baking Powder: Helps the dumplings rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dumplings.

• Milk: Adds moisture and helps bind the dumpling ingredients together.
• Butter (Melted): Provides richness and a smooth texture to the dumpling dough.

How to Prepare Drop Dumplings Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Dry Mix

Grab a roomy mixing bowl and combine flour, baking powder, and salt.

Whisk these ingredients together until they’re evenly distributed, creating a light and airy base for your dumplings.

Step 2: Create the Dumpling Batter

Pour in milk and melted butter into the dry ingredients.

Gently stir the mixture, being careful not to overmix.

The goal is to create a soft, slightly lumpy batter that will transform into tender dumplings.

Step 3: Drop Dumplings into Simmering Liquid

Carefully spoon dollops of the dumpling batter directly into a gently simmering soup or stew.

Use a tablespoon or small ice cream scoop to create uniform dumpling sizes.

Step 4: Steam and Cook the Dumplings

Place a tight-fitting lid over your pot and let the dumplings steam and cook.

Allow them to simmer for 10-15 minutes.

The dumplings are ready when they’ve puffed up, look fluffy, and have absorbed some of the delicious liquid from your soup or stew.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the lid and serve the dumplings immediately while they’re hot and at their most tender.

Scoop them directly from the pot into individual serving bowls, making sure each portion gets plenty of the surrounding soup or stew.

Tips for Perfect Drop Dumplings

• Stir the dough gently until just combined to keep dumplings light and tender.
• Use rich, flavorful soups or stews with enough liquid to steam dumplings properly.
• Insert a toothpick into the center of a dumpling; it should come out clean when fully cooked.
• Keep liquid at a gentle simmer to ensure even cooking without breaking delicate dumplings.
• Enjoy dumplings right after cooking to experience their best texture and warmth.

Variations for Drop Dumplings Recipe

• Gluten-Free Dumplings: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
• Herb-Infused Dumplings: Add chopped fresh parsley, thyme, or chives to the dry ingredients for an aromatic herbal flavor profile.
• Whole Wheat Dumplings: Substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrition and nutty taste.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk instead of regular milk, and replace butter with olive oil for a lactose-free version.

Serving Ideas for Drop Dumplings

• Hearty Comfort Combo: Pair these dumplings with a rich beef stew or creamy chicken soup for a classic, warming meal that hugs your taste buds.
• Veggie Lovers' Delight: Serve alongside a vegetable-packed minestrone or butternut squash soup to add a comforting, fluffy texture to your vegetarian dish.
• Protein Power Plate: Top the dumplings with shredded roasted chicken or tender pot roast for a protein-packed meal that satisfies hunger and warms the soul.
• Garnish Glow-Up: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chives over the dumplings to add a pop of color and a fresh herbal note that brightens the entire dish.

Storage Guidelines for Drop Dumplings

• Store leftover dumplings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Carefully place cooled dumplings in a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Gently warm dumplings in a covered pot with a splash of broth or water. Stir occasionally to prevent burning and maintain moisture.
• Reheat dumplings in short 30-second intervals, adding a tablespoon of broth to keep them soft. Stir between intervals to distribute heat evenly.

FAQs

• What are drop dumplings?

Drop dumplings are soft, pillowy pieces of dough dropped directly into simmering liquid like soup or stew, creating a quick and easy side that cooks right in the dish.

• How do I know when drop dumplings are fully cooked?

The dumplings are done when they look fluffy, have expanded slightly, and no longer look raw or doughy in the center, which typically takes 10-15 minutes of simmering.

• Can I make drop dumpling dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dumpling dough up to 2 hours in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to drop it into your simmering liquid.

Drop Dumplings Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Southern drop dumplings float gracefully in rich chicken broth, creating comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen. Creamy, tender morsels melt into savory goodness, delivering pure culinary satisfaction you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (480 milliliters) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) baking powder
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) salt

Fat:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) butter, melted

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Instructions

1. Whisk together dry ingredients in a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring even distribution of flour, leavening agent, and seasoning.
2. Gently incorporate liquid components, stirring until the mixture forms a soft, slightly lumpy consistency without excessive manipulation.
3. Using a spoon, delicately release dollops of the dough into a gently bubbling liquid base, allowing each dumpling to float independently.
4. Secure the cooking vessel with a tight-fitting lid, maintaining a low simmer around 200°F for approximately 12-14 minutes.
5. Verify doneness by checking the dumplings’ interior – they should appear light, airy, and fully cooked through without raw dough centers.
6. Promptly transfer the pillowy dumplings directly into serving bowls, ensuring they remain nestled in the warm, flavorful surrounding liquid.

Notes

• Prevent dense dumplings by mixing ingredients gently and minimally to keep the texture light and tender.
• Ensure simmering liquid is not boiling vigorously, which can make dumplings tough and break apart during cooking.
• Create gluten-free variation by substituting all-purpose flour with a blend of almond flour and gluten-free baking mix for similar texture.
• Enhance flavor by adding herbs like chopped parsley, thyme, or chives directly into the dumpling batter for extra aromatic complexity.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 255 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg