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GermanAuthentic Cuisine

Semmelknödel

Serves 4 to 6 Side vegetarian, Sides

Semmelknödel

Semmelknödel, a staple of Bavarian kitchens, finds its place at the table during family meals and festive gatherings alike. This comforting dish, made from humble day-old Kaiser rolls, reflects the frugal yet flavorful approach of regional home cooking. Butter or clarified butter is used without fuss, and a pinch of salt is always measured by a seasoned hand, never by a scale.

When you bite into a Semmelknödel, the outside is firm while the inside remains soft and yielding. The warmth of milk and the subtle richness of eggs create a tender texture, punctuated by the brightness of fresh parsley and the depth of sautéed onions. Seasoned with just the right amount of salt and pepper, these dumplings stand proudly beside a hearty roast or a rich mushroom sauce.

Ingredients

  • 6day-old Kaiser rolls — cubed
  • 250 mlwarm milk
  • 2eggs
  • 1onion — finely chopped and sweated
  • 2 tbspfresh parsley
  • 2 tbspbutter
  • to tastefine sea salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Begin by cutting the onion into small, even dice. This ensures they cook evenly and blend seamlessly into the dumplings. Finely chop 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley and set aside for later use.
  2. In a medium-sized skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions become translucent and sweetly fragrant, about 5 to 7 minutes. They should be soft and just starting to caramelize at the edges.
  3. While the onions are cooking, tear 6 day-old Kaiser rolls into small, bite-sized pieces and place them in a large mixing bowl. Pour 250 ml of warm milk over the bread pieces, allowing them to soak and soften. Gently mix with your hands to ensure all pieces absorb the milk.
  4. Once the onions are ready, add them along with the melted butter to the milk-soaked bread. Crack 2 eggs into the mixture, then add the chopped parsley. Season with fine sea salt and black pepper to taste. Mix everything thoroughly with your hands until the ingredients are well combined and the mixture holds together when pressed.
  5. Form the mixture into balls about the size of a small apple, pressing firmly to ensure they hold their shape. You should have about 6 to 8 dumplings.
  6. Bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Carefully place the dumplings into the water, ensuring they do not touch each other. Cook for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the dumplings float to the surface and feel firm yet springy to the touch.
  7. Remove the dumplings with a slotted spoon and let them drain briefly. Serve warm, seasoned with a little extra salt if desired, alongside your main course. Enjoy the comforting, hearty flavors of this traditional Bavarian dish.
Cover of Authentic German Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic German Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic German Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the German volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.