This super easy drop dumplings recipe is a delicious way to upgrade any soup, stew, or casserole you can think of. These fluffy dumplings are soft, pillowy, and absorb all the yummy flavors of whatever dish you add them to. A beginner-friendly homemade dumpling recipe ready in about 20 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Drop Dumpling Recipe
Made with pantry staple ingredients, you won’t believe how easy these are to make! Here’s why we love making our own dumplings:
- 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!
What You’ll Need
Our favorite recipes are those that only need a few ingredients, and these drop dumplings don’t disappoint! Check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for 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
- Salt and Pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper will give you the best flavor.
- Whole Milk: Don’t skimp on the fat here!
- Butter: We recommend unsalted butter so you can control the amount of salt. However, if you use salted butter, only add an additional 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
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.
- 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!
Tips for Success
For the tastiest, lightest, and most fluffy dumplings possible, be sure to check out these tips:
- 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
You can use drop style dumplings in any soup, stew, or casserole you’d like! They work beautifully in classic comfort food dishes like our easy chicken and dumplings and crockpot chicken and dumplings. You can also use them on top of our crock pot chicken pot pie!
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.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Drop dumplings in soups and stews make an excellent lunch or dinner the next day. Here is how you can store and reheat leftovers:
- Store in the Fridge: 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!
- Freezer: We don’t recommend you freeze this drop dumpling recipe. Cooked dumplings will soak up all the broth in a dish, and the texture won’t be the same once thawed.
More Easy Breads and Side Dishes
- Homemade Garlic Bread
- Coconut Rice
- Easy Beer Bread Recipe
- Roasted Root Vegetables
- Broccoli Mac and Cheese
- Classic Cornbread
Yield: 6 servings
Drop Dumplings Recipe
This super easy drop dumplings recipe is a delicious way to upgrade any soup, stew, or casserole. These homemade dumplings are soft, pillowy, and absorb all the yummy flavors of whatever dish you add them to. Beginner-friendly and ready in about 20 minutes!
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!
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.
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.
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).
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
