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Halušky is the incredibly soft variety of potato dumplings, usually associated with Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The dough is created with grated raw potatoes and flour. They are typically cooked so the batter is spread on the wooden board, and small pieces of dough are cut and dropped directly into the boiling water.
Another, more modern approach, employs a special halušky strainer through which the batter is gently pressed and dropped in water, creating tiny dumplings in the process. Both techniques result in irregularly shaped dumplings which have a soft texture and pale color.
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Germknödel is a famous Austrian steamed yeast dumpling. It consists of soft dough which is filled with rum-spiced plum jam. Before serving, the dumpling is generously doused with melted butter or vanilla-based sauce and sprinkled with a considerable amount of poppy seeds.
Believed to have originated in the eastern or southern parts of Austria, this unique dessert is nowadays associated with the famous Austrian ski resorts, where it has become an irreplaceable winter staple. Even though germknödel is nowadays consumed as a dessert, this was not the case when it first appeared in Austrian cuisine.
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These sweet, fruit-filled Czech dumplings appear in numerous varieties throughout the country. They are made with either leavened or potato dough, or the combination of wheat flour and fresh quark cheese. The fillings, which are completely enclosed in the dumplings, might include various fruits, but the most common options are lightly sweetened apricots, strawberries, blueberries, or plums.
Knedlíky are shortly cooked in boiling water and usually served hot, doused in melted butter, and sprinkled with sugar and crumbled quark cheese. Although they are traditionally enjoyed as a dessert, ovocné knedlíky also make an excellent sweet snack.
VARIATIONS OF Ovocné knedlíky
MOST ICONIC Ovocné knedlíky
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These soft dumplings consist of whole apricots that are wrapped in a thin layer of leavened, potato, or fresh cheese dough. Always served warm, the dumplings are usually complemented with melted butter, cinnamon sugar, poppy seeds, or sweetened cheese.
Although they can be enjoyed as the main course, these dumplings also make an excellent and nutritious dessert.
MOST ICONIC Meruňkové knedlíky
Semmelknödel are popular German bread dumplings–nutritious and convenient, they are one of the most versatile side dishes in traditional German cuisine. Even though there are numerous semmelknödel varieties, which come in various sizes, they all have a recognizable round form and employ bread as the base ingredient.
Sliced or diced bread pieces, which can be fried in oil, are usually soaked in plain milk to soften, then mixed with eggs to form a pliable, soft base. Since they are incredibly neutral on their own, bread dumplings are usually mixed with different spices and additional ingredients to form a myriad of flavorful varieties.
VARIATIONS OF Houskové knedlíky
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These traditional Czech dumplings consist of a pliable, soft dough that is wrapped around whole strawberries. Whether they are made with leavened, potato, or quark cheese dough, the end result is always a delectable, visually appealing treat. Just like other types of knedlíky, jahodové are enjoyed as the main course or a filling dessert, and usually come served doused in melted butter and sprinkled with various toppings such as crumbled cheese, cinnamon sugar, or poppy seeds.
MOST ICONIC Jahodové knedlíky
Czech knedlíky are traditional savory and sweet dumplings created with various ingredients. The main savory varieties include houskový, made with soaked bread, bramborové, made with mashed potatoes, syrove, made with cheese, and the plain yeast dumplings.
While the sweet variations are filled with fruit and served as a dessert, the savory dumplings are usually formed in a roll, boiled or steamed, and served sliced. They can also be enriched with smoked meat, different herbs, or diced onions. Regardless of the type, knedlíky should always be fragrant and succulent.
VARIATIONS OF Knedlíky
MOST ICONIC Knedlíky
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One of the classics of traditional Czech cuisine are these sweet, succulent plum dumplings known as švestkové knedlíky. They are prepared with leavened, potato, or fresh cheese dough that is wrapped around whole pitted plums.
When cooked, the result is a soft, juicy treat that is usually enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet main course, usually complemented with melted butter, cinnamon sugar, poppy seeds, or grated tvaroh cheese.
MOST ICONIC Švestkové knedlíky
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This flavorful Czech dish consists of potato dumplings that are traditionally dusted with sweetened, vanilla-flavored poppy seeds. Characterized by their cylindrical shape and delicate texture, the dumplings are shortly boiled, then served while still warm.
The whole dish is occasionally doused in melted butter, complemented with jams, and enjoyed as the main course or a nutritious dessert.
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 9 Czech Dumplings” list until February 14, 2025, 1,020 ratings were recorded, of which 829 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.