In this article, I collect some ideas for what to use instead of breadcrumbs, to cover your sweet dumplings. In Austria, Czech Republic, Germany and other European countries, sweet dumplings filled with apricots, plums or strawberries are one of the most popular dishes.
They are usually covered in toasted breadcrumbs which adds an incredible crunchiness. However, if you don't have breadcrumbs at home or want to try a different variation, this article is for you!
The most common sweet dumplings are made from curd cheese dough or potato dough and filled with apricots.
Check out my Granny's traditional recipe for ultra soft Apricot Dumplings made from curd cheese.
Alternatively, I recommend this Apricot Dumplings recipe with potato dough. You can find more sweet dumplings recipe linked in the article below.
For a vegan alternative, see my vegan cream cheese dumplings or my vegan potato dough with just 2 ingredients.
Jump to:
Sweet Dumplings recipes
The most common sweet dumplings are made from curd cheese dough or potato dough and filled with apricots. In my collection of sweet Austrian dumplings recipes, i share the most popular variations.
Probably the most common sweet dumplings are Apricot Dumplings made from curd cheese (check out my Granny's traditional recipe ;).
Equally popular are Apricot Dumplings with potato dough.
Not quite as common, but really easy to make are traditional dumplings from choux pastry dough.
For a vegan alternative, see my vegan cream cheese dumplings or my vegan potato dough with just 2 ingredients.
You can also make curd cheese dumplings without a filling and serve them with compote, fruit stew or jam. (Whatever yu have 😉
How to toast breadcrumbs for sweet dumplings
To toast your breadcrumbs, heat about 2 tablespoons of butter or oil in a pan. Add 1-2 cups of breadcrumbs and 1-2 tablespoons of sugar or vanilla sugar. Toast on medium heat until golden brown. Stir constantly and stay close to the stovetop, as they burn easily.
How to use breadcrumb alternatives for sweet dumplings
If you use ground nuts or seeds to coat your dumplings, toast them like breadcrumbs.
You can also mix the breadcrumbs with ground nuts, seeds, etc. instead of replacing them by 100%.
You don't have to toast the ingredients necessarily. Although I recommend it if you use ground nuts or seeds, the taste is just so much better!
Some of the ingredients below are already toasted or will melt if you heat them, though ;).
For this article, I tested numerous toppings and alternatives to breadcrumbs for sweet European Dumplings. ;D
Video
For more Austrian recipe videos please follow my Youtube Channel!
39 Fun Topping Ideas for Sweet European Dumplings
All kinds of nuts work very well to cover your sweet dumplings. To use them, buy ground nuts or crush them in a blender before using. I recommend to toast them in a pan with some butter and sugar before you cover your dumplings. Instead of sugar, you can also add just a little bit of maple syrup or other sweetener of choice.
- walnuts
- hazelnuts
- caramellized almonds
- cashew nuts
- peanuts
- pistacchios
- macademia nuts
- brazil nuts
All kinds of seeds are also common to use as a topping for sweet dumplings. Most traditional are poppy seeds and pumpkin seeds. You can toast them in a pan with some butter and sugar, or also use them uncooked.
- poppy seeds (very traditional topping in Austria)
- pumpkin seeds
- sunflower seeds
- hemp seeds
- linseeds (toast with sugar, otherwise boring taste)
- sesame
- chia seeds
- pine nuts
You can also use dried and shredded fruits and berries to cover your dumplings. In my opinion, because of the slightly sour taste, most of these toppings pair best with dumplings from curd cheese dough witout a filling. Also, the taste of the dried fruit is more dominant than the nuts and seeds and therefore fits better to more neutral dumplings without a filling.
- shredded coconut
- orange zest
- lemon zest
- strawberries
- raspberries
- black currant
You can also use all kinds of toasted grains and shredded granola mixes as a topping for your dumplings. Granola is usually already toasted and only has to be shredded shortly. Grains or puffed grains taste better when you toast them with some fat and sugar, though.
- granola, shredded
- puffed quinoa
- puffed millet
- oatmeal
- millet flakes
- corn flakes, shredded
You can also use your leftover cookies, biscuits or cake (without frosting etc.) to make sweet breadcrumbs! Leave them to dry for 1-2 weeks in a dry place. Ground in a blender and store in an airtight container. Keeps well for months, if fully dried.
- cookies
- biscuits
- leftover cake
- graham crackers
All kinds of colorful and glittery sprinkles, chocolate flakes and sugar are a fun topping for sweet dumplings. They will melt on the dumpling and don't stick as well, though. Therefore, I recommend to sprinkle them on the dumpling right before serving. You can also just add a handful of them to your toasted breadcrumbs, or sprinkle on a dumpling that is already coated in breadcrumbs!
- vanilla sugar
- caster sugar
- colorful & glittery sprinkles
- chocolate flakes
This might sound a bit odd, but different kinds of salty crackers and biscuits also pair surprisingly well with sweet European dumplings! ;D
You don't have to toast them in a pan, to coat your dumplings, just very shortly shred them in a blender or crush by hand, covered in a bag.
- bread sticks
- salty crackers
- pretzel sticks
I hope you have lots of fun coating your dumplings! If you do, I would love to see your pictures! Please tag @viennasunday on instagram or @viennasundaykitchen on facebook, if you want me to share them 😉
Ich freu mich über deine Rückmeldung zum Rezept in den Kommentaren!