Pan Fried Dumplings Recipe with Syrup

Recipe updated: June 20th, 2024

Pan fried dumplings with syrup are dumplings made with flour, cooked in boiling water, then rinsed under cold water. They are then transferred to the frying pan to be lightly browned in cooking oil.

When the dumplings are done browning, the finished dumplings are placed on a plate and maple syrup is poured on them. These fried dumplings are so delicious, and so very easy to make.

This dumpling recipe was passed down to me by my mother and grandmother. My mom didn’t make them a lot, but when she did, we were very excited. My mom also made us noodles with scrambled eggs, buttered toast and fried bacon. Yum!

🥄 Key Ingredients

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup of cold water
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 2 teaspoons of sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon of salt
• Maple Syrup (for the topping)

👩‍🍳 How to Make Pan Fried Dumplings

These step-by-step instructions are accompanied by detailed photos for enhanced clarity and guidance.

Step 1. Prepare the Flour Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, put 2 cups of flour together with 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1/8 teaspoon of salt, and 2 teaspoons of sugar. Mix the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar until it is all blended, then set aside for now.

Step 2. Beat the Egg

In a small bowl, thoroughly mix the egg by beating it with a fork for about a minute or so.

Step 3. Add the Water to the Egg

Next, add 3/4 of a cup of cold water together with the beaten egg and stir it until thoroughly blended.

Step 4. Combined Egg Mixture with Flour Mixture

To prepare the dumpling dough, slowly add the egg and water mixture to the large bowl together with the flour mixture we set aside earlier to form a ball of dough. I used a spoon to mix it all around. The flour should be thoroughly mixed with the egg mixture when you are done mixing it.

Step 5. Knead the Dough

Spread some flour on a clean work surface such as a cutting board or countertop. I used my countertop. Lay the dough over the flour. Sprinkle a little flour on top of the dough, then knead the dough for a couple of minutes, forming it into a ball of dough.

Step 6. Form the Dumplings

Separate the ball of dough into 4 sections, then, with the palms of your hands, roll the dough into long tube-like shapes.

Note: An easy method would be to put the palms of each hand in the center of one of the sections of dough, then roll the dough back and forth on the countertop with a bit of pressure and outward movement, creating the length and tube-like shape. The result doesn’t have to be perfect.

Step 7. Cut into Noodle Shapes

Cut each long tube-like shape of dumpling dough into small sections. Then, with your clean hands, roll the dough out into 2 to 3-inch long noodle-like shapes. Remember, none of the dumplings have to be perfect or the same size, but as close as possible.

Step 8. Don’t Worry About Perfect Dumplings

Homemade dumplings are usually not perfect when it comes to the size and shape of each other. Your results should look something close to the photo below, but remember that each dumpling doesn’t have to look exactly the same.

For example, the dumplings should look like oblong doughy noodles, and being slightly different in size is okay. But it is advisable to try to keep the dumplings similar in size so they can all cook evenly at the same time.

There is no set number of dumplings you will end up with, it all depends on the size you make each one. Yours may be a bit smaller than mine in size, or a tad bit bigger, but that’s okay.

Step 9. Cook the Dumplings

Fill a large pot with warm water, a little below 3/4 full. Bring to a boil. Add the uncooked dumplings. Stir while you are adding the dumplings so they won’t stick together during the beginning of the cooking process. After you put the last dumpling in the water, stir one more time, then turn the burner down to medium heat and put a lid on the pot. Let the dumplings cook for four minutes. While cooking, make sure to keep checking the pot to make sure the water doesn’t boil out from under the lid onto the stove top. If that happens, turn the heat down a bit.

After cooking the dumplings for 4 minutes, remove the lid, but be very careful, it’s hot under that lid.

Also, when you open the lid, you will notice that the dumplings changed in shape. This is normal. Some may have a flat side, some may be round, and some may be a little weird looking. Each dumpling is unique with its own style.

Step 10. Do a Cold Water Rinse

Rinse the dumplings in cold water. The best way to do that is to pour the cooked dumplings into a colander over the sink, or you can scoop the dumplings out of the hot water with a slotted spoon into a large bowl, then put them in a colander in the sink.

Rinse the cold water over the dumplings for a minute or so, as this will remove any starchy build-up on the dumplings, then shake the colander and let the dumplings sit for a bit in the sink to remove any excess water on them.

Note: If you don’t have a colander, you can place the cooked dumplings in a small bowl of water, just enough water to rinse them with, then use the slotted spoon to remove them from the bowl. The excess water on them will run through the slotted spoon.

Step 11. Fry the Dumplings

Add each tablespoon of oil to a non-stick pan, then turn the heat on high. Wait for a couple of minutes for the frying pan to get hot, then put the cooked dumplings into the hot cooking oil. Turn the burner on medium-high heat and fry the dumplings for about five minutes, flipping them over about halfway through the frying time until they are crispy looking and golden brown.

It’s not mandatory, but try to position the dumplings in a single layer in the nonstick pan. This way they can brown at the same time.

You can take a peek under the bottoms of the dumplings while frying them by slightly turning one halfway over to check the browning process. I like mine with a crispy top and a crispy bottom.

Step 12. Serve with Maple Syrup

After the dumplings are done frying in the skillet, place them on a large plate and set them on the breakfast table. Let everyone put a couple of the dumplings on their plate, and then pour delicious maple syrup on top.

🌟 Recipe Variations

• Fried dumplings taste great without maple syrup.
• Sprinkle a mixture of sugar and cinnamon on top of your dumplings instead of using maple syrup.
• Dip the dumpings in honey instead of pouring maple syrup on them.
• We like Hungry Jack original or log cabin maple syrup, but you can use whatever syrup is your favorite. You can even try different flavors, such as strawberry, cinnamon maple, blackberry, or blueberry, sold at a varitey of grocery stores.

🙋 FAQs

💭 Final Thoughts

Fried homemade dumplings with maple syrup is a delightful treat for breakfast, lunch, or brunch. They are smothered in the sweet taste of maple syrup, plus with the crispiness in each bite, these dumplings make a satisfying comfort food.

The next time you feel like a pancake and syrup treat, try switching it to a tasty dumpling and syrup treat. Usually, each person can only eat about three or four dumplings, since they are quite filling.

📁 Recipe Card

💖 More Dumpling Recipes You Will Love

• Milk Soup with Dumplings – Small flour dough dumplings that are boiled, then added to hot milk and sugar for a delicious creamy anytime treat.
• Polish Potato Dumplings Recipe – Made with simple ingredients you may already have in your kitchen: potatoes, flour, salt, sliced fried bacon, and onion.
• Chicken and Dumpling Soup (Easy Recipe) –  Homemade dumplings with lots of shredded rotisserie chicken in every bite.