This super easy drop dumplings recipe is a delicious way to upgrade our favorite chicken and dumplings recipe. These fluffy dumplings are soft, pillowy, and absorb all the flavors of whatever soup, stew, or casserole you add them to. A beginner-friendly homemade dumpling recipe ready in about 20 minutes!
Why We Love This Drop Dumpling Recipe
Set aside that refrigerated can of biscuits… we’re making drop dumplings today! Listen, we love a good can of biscuits around here, especially in the morning with some butter and jelly. But when it comes to classic Southern chicken and dumplings, sometimes, you’ve just gotta go homemade! This recipe is quick, scrumptious, and the easiest way to elevate your favorite comfort food. If you’re attached to your biscuit dough, check out our crockpot chicken and dumplings recipe!
- Fluffy: You know the saying that everything is better when homemade? Well, in this case, we agree! These drop biscuits are so much fluffier and tastier than canned biscuit dumplings.
- Quick and Easy: These homemade dumplings are super quick, they are ready to go into the pot in just 5 minutes. If you can whisk together ingredients and use a cookie scoop, you will be a pro at this easy recipe.
- Affordable: You can make these extra fluffy dumplings at home for less than the price of a can of biscuits! We bet you already have the ingredients you need on hand.
- Versatile: Drop dumplings are a Southern specialty perfect to add to any soup, stew, or casserole. You can also add seasonings, parmesan cheese, or herbs to give them a unique flavor. For a sweet twist, add 3 tablespoons of sugar and use them as a topping for a fruit cobbler!
Cozy up with more of our favorite comfort food recipes like crockpot pork chops and gravy, instant pot chicken stew, and baked ziti.
Key Ingredients
Below you will find helpful notes for key ingredients used to make this drop dumplings recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact amounts!
- Flour: All-purpose flour works great for this drop-in dumpling dough. If you have self rising flour, you can use it instead, but skip the added baking powder.
- Baking Powder: Always double check the label and make sure it’s not expired!
- Whole Milk: Don’t skimp on the fat here!
How to Make Old Fashioned Drop Dumplings
Our favorite way to use this light and fluffy drop dumplings recipe is in our easy chicken and dumplings, but you can cook these up in any hot soup or stew in exactly the same way. Below is a quick recipe overview, but please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full instructions.
- Dough: Add the dry ingredients into a bowl and mix together. Create a little well in the center and slowly add the milk and butter. Mix until just combined and you have a nice dough.
- Scoop: We use a medium cookie scoop to make this process super easy, but if you don’t have one, you can also use two spoons. Carefully drop the dumplings into the hot broth and lightly stir them until covered.
- Cook: Cover the pot and let them simmer in the soup for about 15 minutes, until cooked through. Serve hot and enjoy!
Cook’s Tips & Variations
- Add Herbs: Adding herbs like thyme or rosemary is an easy customization that adds a LOT of flavor. If using fresh minced herbs, you can add between a 1/2 to a full tablespoon. If using dried herbs, add anywhere from 1/2 to 1 teaspoon.
- Scooping Dumplings: We find it much easier to scoop dumplings with a cookie scoop. However, if you do not have one, you can use two spoons! Scoop a round of dough with one spoon and push it off and into the pot with your second spoon. Try to make sure your dumplings are even in size so they all cook evenly.
- Use A Lid: Make sure you have the lid on the pot, or make one out of foil! This is important step to help trap in the heat to cook the dumplings evenly. If you have the cover on and they still aren’t cooking, make sure you have the heat up just high enough that the soup is simmering (a low bubble).
- Properly Measure Flour: To make fluffy dumplings every time, properly measure your flour! First, fluff up the flour in the bag or canister. Spoon the flour into the measuring cup. Then, scrape a knife across the top of the measuring cup to level the flour. If you scoop directly into a packed bag of flour, you can get too much flour, creating overly dense dumplings.
What to Serve with Drop Dumplings
- Chicken and Dumplings: They work beautifully in classic comfort food dishes like our easy chicken and dumplings and crockpot chicken and dumplings.
- Chicken Pot Pie: You can also use them on top of our crock pot chicken pot pie!
- Casserole: These dumplings are also delicious baked on top of creamy casseroles like this cajun chicken casserole or chicken pot pie casserole. Drop the dumplings on top of your casserole and bake uncovered at 400°F for 15 minutes, until the dumplings are golden brown.
Storing & Reheating
- Storing: While drop dumplings will always be best when fresh, they hold up well in the fridge. We recommend storing them separately from the soup, as they will continue to soak up the extra liquid when stored. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Since drop dumplings soak up any broth they’re in overnight, we recommend adding additional liquid before reheating. Use the kind of broth you originally used in your soup: chicken, beef, veggie, etc. This will give you that lovely “soupiness” you enjoyed the first night!
Yield: 6 servings
Drop Dumplings Recipe
Made in 20 minutes with 5 ingredients, this easy drop dumpling recipe will upgrade any soup, stew, or casserole! These homemade dumplings are so soft, pillowy, and absorb all the yummy flavors of whatever dish you add them to.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Grab a medium size bowl add the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper stir, make a well and pour the milk and butter into the well.
- Stir the flour mixture until it is the consistency of dough.
- Use a medium sized cookie scoop, or a tablespoon to scoop out the dough and form a ball, and add the dumplings carefully into the pot. Make sure to spread the dumplings out through the broth and lightly stir as you go so the dumplings are covered with the broth.
- Cover the pot and let the dumplings cook for 15 to 17 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through.
Notes
Store: While drop dumplings will always be best when fresh, they hold up well in the fridge. We recommend storing them separately from the soup, as they will continue to soak up the extra liquid when stored. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Since drop dumplings soak up any broth they’re in overnight, we recommend adding additional liquid before reheating. Use the kind of broth you originally used in your soup: chicken, beef, veggie, etc. This will give you that lovely “soupiness” you enjoyed the first night!
Properly Measure Flour: To make fluffy dumplings every time, properly measure your flour! First, fluff up the flour in the bag or canister. Spoon the flour into the measuring cup. Then, scrape a knife across the top of the measuring cup to level the flour. If you scoop directly into a packed bag of flour, you can get too much flour, creating overly dense dumplings.
Add Herbs: Adding herbs like thyme or rosemary is an easy customization that adds a LOT of flavor. If using fresh minced herbs, you can add between a 1/2 to a full tablespoon. If using dried herbs, add anywhere from 1/2 to 1 teaspoon.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving, Calories: 239kcal, Carbohydrates: 34g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 24mg, Sodium: 478mg, Potassium: 97mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 285IU, Calcium: 165mg, Iron: 2mg
Just made this and they turned out absolutely delicious, Boyfriend is so picky,and for him to say he loved them is a high compliment.
Just made these for dinner and they were perfect and delicious!