There are lots of recipes for dumplings. You can try the flat or drop method but they all taste pretty much alike. It is really just a matter of preference. True Southern dumplings are flat but many people in the South will argue this point and like the drop ones better. I say just do your thing. I make them both ways depending on how I want my recipe to look. The recipe below can be used either way. You might also like our recipe for cream cheese ranch chicken.
This is a basic recipe and works for me every time. You can use milk instead of water and some people even sweeten with a little sugar if adding dumplings to fruit. I always use this recipe for my family. This makes around 35 dumplings depending on size you make yours.
Many people will comment they use canned biscuits or tortillas. I am sure that works too, but we believe homemade dumplings are always better!
Tips for How to Make Dumplings:
- Do not over work your dough. This will lead to tough dumplings.
- Do not over cook your dumplings, they cook quickly and if you over cook them they will be hard.
- Stirring the dumplings can make them break apart, its best to use a wooden spoon to push them under the liquid.
Here is our recipe for Homemade Chicken and Dumplings!
How to make dumplings
Learn to make drop dumplings and flat dumplings. Great for chicken and dumplings!
Servings: 30 dumplings
- 2 cups self-rising flour
- 1/4 cup shortening or lard
- 3/4 cup boiling water
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Put self-rising flour in a bowl, cut in shortening with a pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the boiling water a little at a time until you can shape the mixture into a ball. Roll out to about 1/8 inch thickness on a floured board.
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For flat dumplings cut into strips, then squares. I use a pizza cutter to do this as it is much quicker.
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If you want drop dumplings do not roll out. Just pinch off pieces of the dough the size you want.
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Drop either kind of dumplings, a few at a time, into boiling soup, fruit or broth, cover with top on pot, let cook for a few minutes and add more dumplings.
This is a basic dumpling recipe and works for me every time. You can use milk instead of water and some people even sweeten with a little sugar if adding dumplings to fruit. I always use this recipe when making chicken and dumplings. This makes around 35 dumplings depending on size you make yours.
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