Prepare to step into the world of Pennsylvania Dutch cooking, where “food is abundant and appetites are hearty.” In this list, you’ll find our favorite traditional recipes from breakfast to dessert and everything in between.
Before we dive in, let’s explore what makes the Pennsylvania Dutch diet so unique.
Pillars of Pennsylvania Dutch Cooking
The cuisine of the PA Dutch people is built on a few common themes. In general, most dishes can be described as:
- Hearty and comforting: meals are designed to be rich, fulfilling, and satisfying to the tastebuds.
- Local: ingredients are fresh and locally sourced or come directly from their farms’ harvests.
- Simple: meals are generational and have been passed down for decades, so most recipes can be achieved using easy ingredients and preparation methods.
- Zero-waste: keeping food waste to a minimum is so important in Pennsylvania Dutch cooking. Through methods like Amish canning and pickling, they can preserve much of their harvests and stock their pantry for the Winter months.
Appetizers, Side Dishes, & Snacks
1. Red Beet Eggs
Pickled red beet eggs are a common PA Dutch snack served before, during, or after meals. They’re best known for their distinct pinkish-red color and sweet, yet slightly tangy taste. Using a quick pickling method, these can come together in about 20 minutes (though, it’s recommended to let them marinate in the brine for at least 2 days for the flavors to sink in).
2. Corn Pudding
PA Dutch corn pudding is a staple on the holiday dinner table, but it’s also a great dish to serve with lunch or at a family barbeque. It’s an indulgent dish that tastes exactly how it sounds — it offers the flavors of sweet corn baked in a creamy, custard-like casserole. It’s best served warm.
3. Corn Fritters
Seasonality is another important part of Pennsylvania Dutch cooking. When they can, the Amish take advantage of using the produce that’s in season. Fritters are a classic example.
A fritter is a word that describes food that has been battered and pan-fried in some oil. Throughout the year, they make potato fritters, zucchini fritters, apple fritters, tomato fritters, and more, depending on the harvest season. Sweet corn fritters are a delicious Summertime snack that is incredibly simple to make.
4. German Pretzels
The Amish and PA Dutch people emigrated to the States from Germany, so many of their recipes are inspired by German cuisines. Amish pretzels are a prime example. Unlike the Americanized recipes, authentic PA Dutch soft pretzels borrow a key step from the Germans: the lye bath.
This step is key to creating that thick, dense interior and slightly crispy exterior that Amish pretzels are known for.
5. Lebanon Bologna
If you like the taste of salami, chances are you’ll enjoy Lebanon bologna. It’s smokey and slightly tangy with a subtle sweetness. Unlike regular bologna, this cured “chub” is made from just beef.
There are many ways to enjoy Lebanon bologna: in a sandwich, salad, or cream cheese roll-up! We recommend visiting a local PA Dutch market or deli to find the most authentic bologna. If you can’t, here are some trusted brands you can probably find at your supermarket:
- Seltzer’s Lebanon Bologna
- Kunzler Lebanon Bologna
- Weaver’s Lebanon Bologna
Learn More About Lebanon Bologna
Breakfast Foods
6. Apple Dutch Baby
If you haven’t heard of an apple Dutch baby, it’s essentially a mix between a baked pancake and an apple pie. It’s made by melting some butter in a cast iron pan, adding some thinly sliced apples, and topping with a batter of egg, flour, milk, and a few other ingredients. Pop it into the oven for about 25 minutes or until the apples are soft.
It’s a delicious Fall breakfast idea to use up those apples when they’re in peak season.
7. Baked Oatmeal
Simple, hearty, and filling — that’s what Pennsylvania Dutch cooking is all about! And it’s exactly what you’ll find in this Amish baked oatmeal recipe. This classic dish uses oats, milk, eggs, sugar, and spices to create an indulgent, cake-like interior with a soft, golden brown crust.
Top it with your favorite fruit or some maple syrup and enjoy!
8. Breakfast Casserole
The Pennsylvania Dutch diet is all about simple, and it doesn’t get easier than this hearty breakfast casserole! Amish breakfast casserole combines the flavors of all your favorite breakfast mixings — eggs, bacon, hash browns, cheese, and more — into a warm, savory dish.
And it’s easy to customize! Swap out the bacon for sausage or ham, use cheddar instead of Swiss, or even throw in some leftover veggies.
Amish Breakfast Casserole Recipe
9. Scrapple
PA Dutch scrapple is a great example of a recipe created to avoid food waste. This breakfast meat includes trimmings from the parts of the pig that are considered less appetizing — the head, shoulder, liver, kidneys, etc.
But don’t let that scare you! When these items are ground together, seasoned, and pan-fried, the taste is actually quite similar to breakfast sausage.
10. Fasnachts
Fasnachts are Amish deep-fried donuts made from yeast and potatoes. Though they’re categorized as a type of donut, their ingredient list yields a denser texture and slightly less sweet flavor than regular donuts. It’s a common tradition to enjoy fasnachts on Fat Tuesday before the start of Lent.
Soups
11. Chicken Corn Soup (With or Without Rivels)
If you’ve been following our blog for a while, you know that PA Dutch chicken corn soup is one of our favorite recipes for Fall and Winter. It’s warm, comforting, and extremely easy to make. Our recipe can be made with or without rivels.
12. Chicken Pot Pie
Most of us are familiar with chicken pot pie, but not everyone is familiar with the Pennsylvania Dutch way of cooking it. The Pennsylvania Dutch way is made without the crust and it’s more “soupy” than an actual pie.
All of the ingredients are simply tossed in a large stock pot to simmer until the vegetables are soft. It’s often finished by adding some doughy, homemade egg noodle squares to enjoy in the pot pie.
13. Potato Soup
Nothing says comfort like some old-fashioned potato soup. Unlike most modern recipes, the PA Dutch version isn’t super thick and creamy. The broth is actually quite milky and thin.
For some added protein, it can be served with some chopped hard-boiled eggs or ham/bacon crumbled on top.
14. Split Pea Soup
If you’re looking for a healthy Amish soup, try out this basic recipe for split pea soup. It might not look like the most appealing dish, but don’t let that keep you from giving it a try. It has a very unique earthy and nutty flavor profile that can be modified to fit your flavor preferences with some herbs and spices.
15. Beef Vegetable Soup
It doesn’t get much easier than Amish beef and vegetable soup. This fulfilling meal is packed with vegetables, beef, and tons of flavor. And in the spirit of Pennsylvania Dutch cooking, it can easily be modified to use the vegetables or cuts of beef you have on hand.
Beef and Vegetable Soup Recipe
Salads
16. Fruit Salad
In many Amish communities, fruit salad is actually considered a dessert. That’s because this version is a super sweet combination of fresh and canned fruits covered in a thick, jelly-like dressing. It can be found at pretty much any picnic, potluck, or family gathering.
17. Potato Salad
Even if you don’t know much about the Pennsylvania Dutch diet, you’ve probably heard of Amish potato salad or macaroni salad. These mayonnaise-based dishes are creamy, tangy, and refreshing on a warm Summer evening.
This potato salad recipe comes together quickly with only a few simple ingredients. It’s best served cooled after it’s had a few hours to marinate in the dressing and soak up some of the flavor.
18. Dandelion Salad
Here’s a salad recipe you’ve probably never heard of: dandelion salad. This classic dish is made from blanched dandelion greens tossed in a sweet vinaigrette. The dressing helps balance the otherwise bitter dandelion taste.
Many of the recipes we found also include bacon for some extra flavor!
19. Three-Bean Salad
There’s no salad quite as easy as this Amish three-bean salad. Just toss together some green beans, kidney beans, and wax beans along with some chopped bell pepper and onion. Top it off with an easy dressing made from olive oil and vinegar.
Place it in the fridge to marinate overnight for the fullest flavor.
20. Creamed Cucumber Salad
PA Dutch creamed cucumber salad is a refreshing, minimal-effort side dish. It’s made with sliced cucumbers and red onion that’s marinated in a tangy sour cream and vinegar dressing. You can find it served at Amish potlucks, barbeques, or as a cool, crunchy snack.
Jams, Relish, and Dressings
21. Amish Apple Butter
Jams and jellies are a common part of the PA Dutch diet. They are a resourceful way to use up the abundance of fruits from the season’s harvest. Amish apple butter is a rich spread made from slow-cooked caramelized apples and a blend of spices.
22. Hot Bacon Dressing
Everything is better with bacon, right? The Amish sure think so. Try this savory hot bacon dressing, made from cooked bacon and its drippings, vinegar, and egg. It can be served hot or cold over your favorite greens.
23. Coleslaw
Who doesn’t love a creamy coleslaw? There are so many recipe variations available online, but if you haven’t had the PA Dutch version, we recommend giving it a try! In this version, the secret is in the sauce — mayo, apple cider vinegar, and some sugar blend together to create a delicious balance of sweetness and tang.
24. Pepper Cabbage
Pepper cabbage is a colorful, crunchy combination of cabbage and bell peppers tossed in a tangy dressing. You might also find it referred to as “pepper slaw” because it’s similar to coleslaw, but it’s made with a vinegar-based dressing instead of a mayo-based dressing.
25. Corn Relish
Amish corn relish has the flavor profile of most pickled or canned vegetables: tangy and sweet, and in some cases, slightly spicy. This recipe is made by soaking fresh corn kernels, tomatoes, peppers, and onions in a vinegary brine and some spices. It’s a delish condiment that can add a burst of flavor to sandwiches, hot dogs, or other barbeque foods.
Main Meals
26. Ham Loaf
Meatloaf is a beloved American dish that grew in popularity during the Great Depression. Ham loaf is the traditional PA Dutch version of the dish. As you can probably guess, the main difference between the 2 is what it’s made from. Meatloaf uses beef; ham loaf uses ham and pork.
Ham loaf and ham balls are popular among the Amish community because they’re a simple way to repurpose leftover ham.
27. Brown Butter Noodles
This brown butter noodle recipe is another classic dish that embodies the ease of Pennsylvania Dutch cooking. It’s made from 4 simple ingredients: egg noodles, chicken broth or stock, cream of chicken soup, and butter.
Traditional versions call for homemade egg noodles, but to simplify things even more, you can pick up a bag from the store.
28. Ham and Noodle Casserole
Creamy and comfort usually go hand in hand. This ham & noodle casserole is a rich and savory mixture of ham, cheese, egg noodles, and vegetables held together by a silky, gooey sauce.
29. Pork & Sauerkraut
Pork and Sauerkraut is a traditional PA Dutch recipe that’s enjoyed throughout the year, but most importantly on New Year’s Day. Those who consume it on the first day of the year are believed to have good luck and fortune in the year ahead.
It’s another savory dish that pairs great with mashed potatoes and some seasonal vegetables.
30. Potato Filling
If you love mashed potatoes and you love bread filling, you’re guaranteed to love this PA Dutch potato filling recipe. It combines both holiday dishes into a single casserole that is buttery and rich. You can find it on the table during most Amish holidays, but it’s also served at potlucks, Sunday dinners, and other picnics.
Desserts
31. Whoopie Pies
When it comes to desserts, Amish whoopie pies are a favorite in Pennsylvania Dutch country. These delicious treats are small, cream-filled sandwiches. The rich icing is sandwiched between two moist shells of cake.
The best part is there are so many different flavor variations to enjoy: classic chocolate and vanilla, red velvet, pumpkin, peanut butter, etc!
32. Shoofly Pie
Don’t let the name scare you away. Shoofly pie is a classic PA Dutch dessert that is made with a unique molasses-based filling and flakey, buttery crust. Its flavor profile is rich, with almost a subtle bitterness.
33. Apple Dumplings
Apple dumplings are a fulfilling PA Dutch dessert made with apples and a flaky dough. They can be baked or steamed until the apples are soft and the crust is golden brown. Serve them up with some vanilla cream sauce or some ice cream!
34. Sand Tarts
There’s no true comfort like biting into a Sand Tart cookie during Christmastime. These are thin, buttery, and crispy cookies that melt away in your mouth. It’s a Pennsylvania Dutch tradition to bake and enjoy these exclusively during the holiday season.
35. Sticky Buns
Sticky buns are indulgent treats that are reminiscent of traditional cinnamon rolls. They are fluffy, doughy buns baked in a gooey caramel sauce. After they’re baked, the pan is inverted so the sticky sauce can drizzle over and coat the rolls.
