How to Make Dumplings with Flour and Milk (Easy 5-Ingredients)
Looking for an easy homemade dumplings recipe with flour and milk? These simple drop dumplings use just 5 pantry ingredients and are soft, fluffy, and perfect for adding to soup, stew, or chili. If you’ve never made homemade dumplings before, don’t worry—this beginner-friendly recipe comes together in just minutes and turns an ordinary meal into cozy comfort food.
With only 5 ingredients in these homemade flour dumplings, chances are you already have them sitting in your pantry. These little dumplings are so filling, cost pennies to make, and are one of my favorite ways to stretch a simple meal at the end of the month.
How Do You Make Dumplings?
Homemade dumplings are made by mixing flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and oil into a simple dough. Spoonfuls of dough are then dropped into simmering soup, stew, or chili and cooked until light and fluffy. This easy dumpling recipe uses just 5 simple ingredients and is perfect for beginners.
I already had my chicken stock and soup along with my other ingredients almost done…I just added this simple dumpling recipe to make it a wonderful hearty comfort food dinner. Super cheap, easy, and delicious!
I started looking through my pantry to see what I could substitute for bread. It was the end of the month and the pantry was looking a little bare. I just needed to put together a Budget Friendly Meal.
What you’ll love about this recipe:
How to Make Dumplings with Flour and Milk
This dumpling recipe doesn’t include the chicken soup…just the dumplings. See below for different soup recipes that you can turn into a dumpling soup! You can do it with any soup to make the ultimate comfort food.
Some tips for How to Make Dumplings with flour-
- You’ll need a Large Pot that has a snug-fitting lid.
- While making these fluffy drop-style dumplings is super easy…don’t over-stir the flour and milk mixture, see full instructions.
- Don’t worry about how these dumplings look when dropping them into your simmering soup. They will fluff up nicely!
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
Ingredients:
- Flour
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Milk
- Oil (I use Coconut Oil)
- Optional Thyme or any other herbs you enjoy
Make sure you have that large pot. This will make your life sooo much easier when making soups, stews, chili, and of course…dumplings!
What kind of flour is used for Drop Dumplings?
You can use any kind of flour for this easy recipe. I use Unbleached All Purpose Flour. Some of the different kinds of flour you might use are:
- White All Purpose Flour, is what my recipe uses.
- Wheat Flour (only use half wheat and half white),
- Self-rising flour (if using self-rising take away 1 tsp. baking powder)
- You could experiment with other flours like Oat Flour or Almond Flour…but I’ve never made dumplings with them so I’m not sure how they would turn out.
Directions:
In a medium bowl mix together the dry ingredients: Flour, Baking Powder, and salt. Then slowly pour milk and oil into the flour. Use a large spoon to combine flour, milk and oil.
Don’t over-stir. Over stirring can cause the gluten to activate in the flour and make your dumplings very dense instead of having nice tender dumplings. Just stir well enough to mix flour and milk mixture…then stop.
The mixture will be a little bit sticky…but not too sticky. Don’t worry though…this simple recipe is practically no fail!
Now drop about 2-3 Tablespoon mounds of the dough into your simmering liquid of Chicken Soup, Beef Soup, Beef Stew or Vegetable Soup…whatever you are cooking! Don’t be perfectionistic here. Just plop it in and forget about it! Does mine look perfect? Nope…but they will be yummy!
How long do you boil Dumplings?
Cook for 10 minutes on a low simmer with the lid off then 10 minutes on a low simmer with the lid on. Take one out to test it! Remember…these will be light and fluffy but doughy.
That’s it! These fluffy homemade dumplings are a super easy recipe and Yummy!
Below is a picture of the Dumplings before they cooked in the soup I made. The first picture in this post above is of the Dumplings after they were cooked.
Ways to Customize Homemade Dumplings
These simple dumplings are delicious just as they are, BUT they’re also easy to customize. Try adding fresh herbs like thyme, chives, parsley, or basil. Finely chopped onions can add extra flavor, and a little shredded cheese is delicious when serving dumplings in a creamy soup.
Storage Tips
Store leftover dumplings in an airtight container. SEPARATE from the soup, chili, or stew, otherwise they will become gooey and it will ruin your leftover soup.
Tough dumplings are usually caused by overmixing the dough. Stir just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing activates the gluten in the flour, which can make dumplings dense and chewy instead of light and fluffy.
Yes! If using self-rising flour, simply omit the baking powder from the recipe since it is already included in the flour.
More Cheap Chilly Day Recipes:
It’s always good to have an arsenal of recipes for a delicious meal plan or a simple everyday family dinner if you’re not into meal planning right now.
How to Make Simple Dumplings
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 Cup Flour
- 2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 2/3 Cup Milk
- 2 Tbsp Oil I use Coconut Oil
- 1/8 – 1/4 Tsp Thyme or any other herbs you enjoy This is optional
Instructions
- Mix together Flour, Baking Powder and salt. Then pour milk and oil in.
- Stir up and make a dough..don’t over stir. Just enough to mix it up good.
- Now drop about 2-3 Tbsp. mounds of the dough onto Soup, Stew or vegetables! Don’t be perfectionistic here. Just blop it in and forget about it!
- Cook for 10 minutes with the lid off then 10 minutes with the lid on.
Hi, can I use water instead of milk
Hi Vickie! You could use water BUT you wouldn’t get the fluffy texture a dumpling should have. That being said, if you want to try it, just know that the dough will be more dense.
Will the cook properly if I’m making soup in my crockpot?
Hi Nancy! Yes! The dumplings work well in the crockpot also. Don’t add them until the end though, just like the recipe calls for. Thanks for stopping by!
Yum!! These sound delicious! I’ve been looking for a good dumpling recipe and this could be it – can’t wait to try it!
Yum! I love dumplings, and an easy recipe is great anytime! I found this yummy recipe on Recipe Sharing Mondays and I’m hoping you’ll bring it over to my recipe link party The Yuck Stops Here. You can find us this week anytime after tomorrow evening (Tuesday) at 8pm ET at https://mommasangelbaby.com/?p=2628. Hope to see you there! HUGS
Hi Shari, I’m such a big an of homemade dumplings. I don’t make them as often as I used to, but they are my favorite. Thanks for sharing your recipe with Foodie Friends Friday party this week. I’ve pinned and shared.
We look forward to seeing you again soon.
A FFF co-host,
Joanne
Hi Joanne! I don’t make them that often either..I just don’t think about it. It’s such a great way to fill tummies with such little effort and food though isn’t it! Thank you for taking time to stop by. Have a blessed week!
Hi Sharri Lyne,
I make mine with bisquick and do it the same way, and they are awesome. I like light and fluffy dumplings cause some are just so dense and doughy, and I don’t care for them myself. Yours looks awesome, and nothing like chicken and
dumplings…………
Nice to meet you here in blogland………I ask the Lord what can I make too especailly when I have no appetite and can’t think of anything or when I am out of everything like you!! ……….and I always get an idea that just all of a sudden pops
into my head………….He is so good!!
Have a lovely weekend,
Nellie
I love simple dumplings! I must admit, I have never used coconut oil in cooking. I use it for beauty things, but not in cooking. I must give it a try. Thanks for sharing!
Oh it’s so yummy Elizabeth! I use Tropical Traditions and oh my the flavor is AMAZING! 🙂 Love it in beauty things too! Thanks for stopping by..blessings to you!