Can potato dumplings be frozen?

Soft and Fluffy Potato Dumplings - A comfort food classic!

You might get so excited about these delicious snacks that you end up making too many and keeping leftovers.

So you’re wondering, “can potato dumplings be frozen?”  The answer is yes. Freezing potato dumplings will prevent them from getting too wet from condensation that can build up in the fridge.

How to freeze potato dumplings

Meatballs are simple but satisfying dishes. You can make them on their own, or choose to fill them with whatever your stomach desires. Potatoes, in general, are such a versatile food that any combination of vegetables, meats, and seasonings will result in a fluffy, steaming dumpling.

Potato dumplings are popular in most cultural cuisines, such as Japan, China, Germany, and many European countries. You’d be hard-pressed to find a country that doesn’t have a recipe for potato dumplings.

How to freeze potato dumplings without cooking

• Grab a clean tray or large plate
• Dust the large tray or plate with flour or cornstarch.
• Place a clean cookie sheet/waxed paper on the tray
• Place the fresh potato balls on the tray individually
• Make sure they don’t touch each other as they stick together and form a lump
• Place the large tray or plate in the freezer (uncovered) until completely frozen
• Once the expected time has elapsed, carefully take them out and put them in a zip-lock bag
• Don’t forget to label and date them.

To prevent the potato dumplings from getting freezer burned, be very careful to wrap them in a zip-top freezer bag. Do not use a regular ziplock sandwich bag, as most ziplock bags are not completely airtight, and over time, air molecules will seep into the bag and ruin sensitive foods.

Packed in a freezer-safe ziplock bag, the potato dumplings can last up to four months and will still look fresh when cooked.

If you buy already frozen potato dumplings, you can put them directly in the freezer in their original packaging. It won’t be until you take them out of the container and cook them that you have to use the freezer bag trick.

Frozen Potato Dumplings Get Stuck In The Pan - What To Do

That is why the cookie sheet is important, since it works as a barrier between the tray and the potato dumpling.  It’s much easier to peel the meatball off the wax paper than it is from the tray. Just gently pull on the meatball, and it should come right off.

If you use a glass dish or tray, when cooking the fresh, wet batter in the pan it can be quite stubborn and refuse to come out. Trying to rip it off would ruin the shape and structure of the meatball, so carefully place a spatula under it to free the meatball from its position.

How to cook frozen potato dumplings

Cooking a fresh or frozen potato dumpling is actually quite similar, however there are certain things to be careful about.

In general, there are four ways to cook a potato dumpling: boil, steam, steam-fry, or microwave.

How to Steam Potato Dumplings - Our Favorite Way

Healthy tip: It is said that nutrients can be released from food when boiling, and that steaming helps food retain more of its nutritional content. We don’t know exactly what this means for potato dumplings, but we think it’s worth mentioning.

The easiest and most traditional way is to steam them in a bamboo steamer, which requires some time and patience. It is faster than boiling and requires less water.

If you like the idea of steaming more food, consider investing in a bamboo steamer (did you know you can even reheat rice dishes like paella in a bamboo steamer?) It’s almost amazing to see the slight difference between kitchen steamers. The elastic and soft texture that the steamer helps to create is incomparable.

How to cook steamed potato dumplings

• Heat water in your steamer. Don’t fill it too full that the water touches any of the meatballs. You just want the water to create enough steam to cook the meatballs.
• Place the potato balls in the steamer.
• Steam for about 15-20 minutes.
• serve them.

How to boil potato dumplings

The boiling method is similar to steaming, but potentially less nutritious.

• You just have to take a pot, fill it with water and bring it to a boil.
• Add the meatballs and cook them for a few minutes until they start to float.
• At first, being frozen, they will suffocate, but they will start to rise as they cook on the inside.
• Once done, remove them with a strainer and serve them hot.

How To Steam Potato Dumplings - To Make Them Very Crispy

How to make potato dumplings, but with some crunch?

• Lightly fry the frozen potato dumplings in oil.
• Add a little water in the pan and cover it to trap the steam.
• Wait for the water to evaporate.
• Fry the same potato dumplings again. The last frying gives them the extra factor of flavor and strength, since the interior is soft and fluffy from the steam.

This is a non-traditional way to cook potato dumplings, but for those of us who love a little more texture, this method will definitely leave you salivating for more.

How to Cook Potato Dumplings in the Microwave - The Quick Way

The fastest method to cook frozen potato dumplings:

• Take frozen potato dumplings and place them individually in one layer on a microwave-safe tray.
• Add water so that the potato balls are half submerged.
• Cover the dish with another microwave-safe plate.
• Microwave the dish over high heat until the potato dumplings are cooked through, this will be about three minutes.
• Take the tray of potato dumplings and drain the remaining water.
• Next, place the potato balls in a skillet or griddle over medium heat.
• Flip them a couple of times so they brown a little and get coloured.
• Put them on a plate and serve hot.

Related questions

Can I refrigerate uncooked potato dumplings?

They become mushy, appear undercooked, and are sad to look at.

Whatever you do, don’t refrigerate uncooked potato dumplings. Since the filling is also raw and moist, the refrigeration process adds more moisture to the meatballs, resulting in a soggy mess after the refrigerated meatballs have been cooked.

Should I wait for the potato dumplings to come to room temperature before cooking them?

There’s no need. As the potato dumpling begins to reach room temperature, it will begin to lose its shape. This is due to condensation starting to seep into the folds of the dumplings. It is best to take them out of the freezer and toss them into whatever cookware you want to use and cook them immediately.

How to reheat already cooked potato dumplings?

Cooked potato dumplings can be reheated in a skillet or in the microwave. Just give them a couple of turns in the pan or turn them once or twice in the microwave and they’re done.

How long can frozen potato dumplings be kept without spoiling or losing freshness?

Potato dumplings can last a long time in the freezer. Potato dumplings can survive for up to two months.

Can cooked meatballs be frozen?

Yes. Use the same method described to freeze the uncooked meatballs, but wait for them to cool before placing them in a freezer-safe container to limit condensation (which will turn into freezer burn—spicy!)