You might have come across them on menus of global restaurants – pierogis, the traditional Polish dish.
But if you’ve ever wondered about the origins of these tasty dumplings, who invented them, and what they taste like, then keep reading to find out more.
Where are pierogies from?
Pierogi is a Polish word which means “small round thing.”
The name comes from the shape of the dumplings that are traditionally filled with ground beef, but can be made with other ingredients such as cheese, sausage, mushrooms, or even potato.
They’re typically served in broth, although some restaurants serve them dry (or with butter).
The first mention of pierogi in written history was in an 11th century manuscript called “The Deeds of the Poles.”
It described a battle between two noble families over land near the Baltic Sea.
One family had been given land by the king for their service during a previous war, while the other family claimed ownership of the same land because it was part of their inheritance.
In the midst of the battle, one of the men, named Piorun, ordered his servant to go into the woods and cut down some trees.
When he returned, Piorun asked him how many trees he had cut.
His servant said he had cut 12 trees, to which Piorun replied, “That is not enough! Cut another 12 trees!”
This story has led historians to believe that the origin of the term pierogi – or “little round things” – came from the fact that they were originally made from dough that was shaped into little balls before being cooked.
It wasn’t until the 17th century that pierogi became popular throughout Poland.
At the time, there wasn’t a tradition of making dumplings, so the recipe for pierogi was passed down through generations of Polish cooks.
By the mid-19th century, pierogi were served in bakeries all over Poland, and by the 20th century, they were a common food at weddings and holidays.
While most Americans associate pierogi with Christmas, they actually originated on May 9, which is St. John Baptist Day.
In Poland, it’s one of the biggest celebrations of the year, and children dress up and eat pierogi for breakfast.
This practice continues today, and the day is also celebrated in Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia.
What is the history of pierogies?
Pierogis are a traditional Polish dish that originated in Poland during the early Middle Ages.
They are typically filled with either minced pork, beef, or veal, but also include ground beef, chicken, turkey, sausage, and even fish.
The word “pierogi” refers to the cylindrical shape of the dumpling.
The shape was created by rolling up a thin dough into a tube and then pinching off the ends to form a circle.
This process is called pleating.
These dumplings were originally made with cabbage leaves, but today we use flour-based dough instead.
There are many different types of pierogi, including stuffed cabbage rolls, potato pierogis, and poppy seed pierogis.
You can buy pierogi frozen or canned for easy preparation.
If you want to make your own from scratch, here’s how to do it.
Stuffed cabbage rolls
This type of pierogi is very popular because it can be prepared ahead of time.
It takes just 15 minutes to prepare using a recipe from the Food Network website.
To start, mix all of the ingredients together except for the butter.
Then roll each piece of dough into a ball and place on a baking sheet covered with wax paper.
Bake them for 12 to 14 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Next, melt the butter and add it to the pan along with the onions.
Cook until softened and set aside.
Add the remaining ingredients to a large bowl and combine well.
Roll each dough ball into a cylinder and fill with the mixture.
Roll the cylinders back onto themselves and tie them closed with string.
Sausage pierogies
These are similar to stuffed cabbage rolls, but the filling comes from ground meat.
To make them, follow the instructions above, but replace the onion mixture with ground beef.
Use the same amount of flour as before, and increase the cooking time to 20 minutes.
You can also add a bit of paprika to the ground beef mixture if you wish.
When done, cut the strings and serve immediately.
Potato pierogis
If you prefer something lighter, try making potato pierogis.
First, boil some water and drop in some potatoes.
Once the potatoes are soft, drain them and peel them.
Next, mash them with a fork.
Mix in the eggs, milk, flour, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
Combine everything together and knead until smooth.
Now, take a small portion of the dough and roll it into a cylinder.
Place a heaping tablespoon of mashed potatoes inside the cylinder and pinch the two sides together to seal.
Repeat this step until you have used up all of the dough.
Then fry the pierogis in hot oil until golden brown.
Once you’re done frying, sprinkle them with powdered sugar and enjoy!
Who invented pierogies?
Pierogi was originally a traditional Polish dish made of dumplings stuffed with meat, potatoes or cheese.
The word “pierogi” itself is derived from the Polish words for “pocket” and “dumpling.”
However, today, the word “pierogi” can also refer to any kind of small, filled dumpling, including ravioli, tortellini, empanadas, and phyllo dough pockets.
The earliest written references to pierogi date back to 18th century Poland, when they were called “pierogi kielbasa.”
However, there isn’t an exact origin story for these dumplings.
Some say that Polish Jews brought the first version of pierogi to Poland from Ukraine in the 16th century, while others claim that the Jewish community created the dish in the late 1700s.
Regardless, the modern-day version of pierogi is most popularly associated with the city of Kraków, which has hosted the annual International Gourmet Festival since the 1930s.
In fact, Kraków is now one of the largest producers of pierogi in Europe, making up roughly 90% of all pierogi sold in Poland.
Many believe that the Kraków gourmets developed their own unique style of pierogi, which includes the use of poppy seeds, raisins, almonds, and other ingredients not typically found in other pierogi recipes.
In addition, many of the world’s best chefs have praised the quality of Kraków pierogi, including Chef Gordon Ramsay, who once said that he would rather eat a plate of pierogi than a meal at McDonald’s.
Today, the popularity of pierogi around the globe means that the international market is worth billions of dollars annually.
What are the ingredients in pierogies?
Pierogis are filled with a variety of different ingredients, depending on which region of Poland you’re eating them in.
The most common filling is usually minced beef, but you might also find sauerkraut or cottage cheese in a classic pierogi recipe.
You can even buy frozen pierogi in supermarkets across Europe, although they’ll always be labelled “Polish-style” rather than “traditional”.
The potato dough used to make pierogie fillings is similar to that found in other European countries, including Germany and France.
It consists mostly of flour, salt, eggs, yeast, water and sometimes sugar.
However, the method of preparation differs slightly in each country.
For example, while Germans use lard to fry their pierogies, Poles prefer oil instead.
To get a feel for what goes into making a traditional Russian pierogi, you should read about the ingredients in our guide to Russian cuisine.
To learn more about how to cook pierogis, check out our article on how to make pierogis.
How are pierogies made?
Pierogis are popular all over Poland and in many other countries too, including Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the United States.
They can be eaten as an appetizer, snack or main course.
They are usually deep fried and served warm with sour cream and chives.
Some people enjoy them plain, while others prefer them smothered in sauce, such as garlic butter or mushroom gravy.
The filling for pierogis is typically made up of ground meat, but they can also contain ingredients like rice, sauerkraut, spinach, cabbage, mushrooms, onions, eggs or even fish.
There are different types of pierogi fillings available, depending on which region of Poland you’re visiting.
The most common fillings are potato and meat, but some varieties include cheese, vegetables and even fruit.
Pierogi are traditionally cooked in a large pot filled with water until the liquid reduces by half.
Then the liquid is drained off and the dough is rolled out into thin sheets before being cut into circles using a cutter.
The circles are then boiled again, this time in salted water, until they float to the surface.
Once the pierogi are ready, they are placed in a basket and fried in hot oil.
They are then placed on paper towels to drain before being served piping hot with sour cream, chopped fresh parsley and chives.
What is the traditional way to eat pierogies?
Pierogis are similar to ravioli in that they are filled with a savory filling.
They are also called “dumplings” because they are shaped into a bag-like shape.
The filling is usually cheese, but sometimes it’s meat such as ground beef or pork.
These dumplings are typically boiled or steamed before being served.
There is no set recipe for making pierogis, but they tend to be very simple and easy to prepare.
You simply boil the dough until it puffs up and forms a ball.
Once formed, the filled dough is dropped into boiling water and cooked until the filling is hot.
It’s important not to over cook the dumplings, or else they will become tough.
If you want to learn how to make pierogis by hand, this video shows an easy step-by-step guide:
If you want to buy frozen pierogis, you should look for ones that are made with all natural ingredients.
This ensures that they don’t contain any artificial flavorings or coloring agents.
What are some popular pierogi recipes?
Pierogis are one of the most famous dishes in Poland and other Eastern European countries.
They’re usually served with sour cream and either applesauce or caramelized onions.
You can also eat them with butter or honey.
Although there are many different types of pierogi, the most common ones are filled with sausages, potato, cheese, or ground beef.
The filling can be combined with vegetables, herbs, spices, and even garlic.
While they’re traditionally eaten for breakfast on Shrove Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday), you can enjoy them anytime of the year.
Here are some of the most popular pierogi recipes.
1. Cheese pierogi
These dumplings are perfect for dipping into melted butter or honey.
Simply choose your favorite cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or Gouda.
Mix together 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 cup water until a dough forms.
Roll the dough into a ball and cover with saran wrap.
Let rest for 20 minutes.
2. Sausage pierogi
Sausage pierogi are often made with pork, but you can use any kind of meat that you prefer.
To make them, mix together 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 cup water until a dough forms.
Wrap the dough in foil and let rest for 30 minutes.
3. Potato pierogi
You can fill these dumplings with anything you want.
Try adding sliced mushrooms, peas, spinach, or even bacon bits.
Combine 3 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 cup water until a dough forms.
Roll the dough into a ball and cover with saran wrap.
Let rest for 30 minutes.
4. Apple-filled pierogi
This recipe includes two steps: first, making an apple sauce using an apple, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Then, combine the apple mixture with 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 cup water until a dough forms.
Roll the dough into a ball and cover with saran wrap.
Let rest for 30 minutes.
5. Chicken pie pierogi
Chicken and rice are a great combination, so why not create a tasty chicken pie pierogi?
This recipe calls for 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 cup water.
After mixing together the ingredients, roll the dough into a ball and cover with saran wrap.
Let rest for 45 minutes.
6. Mushroom-filled pierogi
Add some flavor to your pierogi by stuffing them full of sautéed mushrooms.
This recipe uses 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 cup water.
Once mixed together, roll the dough into a ball and cover with saran wrap.
Let rest for 30 minutes.
7. Zucchini-filled pierogi
Zucchini has a milder flavor than mushrooms, so why not try it instead?
Use 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 cup water to make the dough.
Form it into a ball and fold it over itself several times.
Cover with saran wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.
When ready to cook, cut off a small piece of dough and form it into a disk.
Fill with zucchini and seal the edges tightly.
Place the pierogi in boiling water and boil for 10-15 minutes.
8. Vegetable-filled pierogi
Use any type of vegetable you like!
This recipe uses 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 cup water.
Once mixed together, roll the dough into a ball and cover with saran wrap.
Let rest for 30 minutes.
When ready to cook, cut off a small piece of dough and form it into a disk.
Fill with vegetables and seal the edges tightly.
Place the pierogi in boiling water and boil for 10-15 minutes.
Are there any health benefits to eating pierogies?
Pierogis originated in Poland, although their popularity has spread throughout the world.
The name comes from the word “pie” which means “dumpling” and “giers,” which translates into “cheese” in English.
They are generally filled with either potato or meat, but some variations also include cheese or vegetables.
The filling can be made of any combination of ingredients that your family likes, including chicken, pork, beef, lamb, turkey, or even kielbasa sausage.
The dough for the dumplings is usually made from flour, eggs, water, salt, and sometimes butter or margarine.
Some recipes call for adding a little sugar to sweeten it up.
Pierogis are typically served with sour cream or creme fraiche (which is similar to crème fraîche).
However, many people enjoy them without any sauce.
There are different ways to cook them too.
You can bake them in the oven, boil them in salted water, or fry them in oil.
In addition to being an excellent source of protein, vitamins B1 and B6, iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, and folate, pierogis are also rich in fiber, vitamin A, B12, riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, phosphorus, copper, manganese, and selenium.
Pierogi-making instructions
There are two main methods for making pierogi.
One involves rolling out the dough into small balls, dipping them in flour, and frying them in hot oil until golden brown.
The other method is similar except the dough is rolled into long ropes before it is fried.
If you want to use the first method, you will need to roll out the dough by hand or using a rolling pin.
Then dip the balls in the flour and shake off the excess.
You should heat the oil in a large pot over high heat until it begins to smoke.
Once it reaches smoking point, drop the ball of dough into the hot oil one at a time.
Cook each ball for about 30 seconds on each side or until golden brown.
Remove the cooked pierogi from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
If you prefer to use the second method, follow these steps to make your own homemade pierogi recipe:
Mix together all the ingredients in a bowl until well blended.
Divide the dough mixture between two bowls.
Add 1/4 cup of the filling to one bowl and 1/4 cup of the filling to the other bowl.
Take half of the dough mixture and roll it out into a rope about 2 inches wide and 12 inches long.
Cut into equal lengths and shape into disks.
Roll each disk into a circle about 1/8 inch thick and place them on a plate covered with waxed paper.
Add 1/4 cup of the filling to the center of the circle and fold over to form a pouch.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
Heat a skillet on medium high heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil.
When the oil is hot, remove the plastic wrap and carefully place the pierogi in the pan.
Cook the pierogi for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until golden brown.
Are pierogies easy to make at home?
Pierogi are a simple dumpling that can be prepared in minutes.
You will need just five ingredients to get started: flour, eggs, milk, salt, and your filling of choice.
The dough can also be rolled into balls and fried, but there’s nothing quite like making them fresh in the kitchen.
If you’re looking for an easy recipe, try our homemade homemade pierogi recipe here!
Where can I buy pierogies?
Pierogis are typically served as an appetizer or snack, but there are many ways to enjoy them.
You can stuff them with anything you fancy (meat, vegetables, or even fruit) and serve them hot or cold.
They can also be baked, fried, deep-fried, grilled, or boiled.
The best way to eat them is fresh, however.
If you want to enjoy your pierogis piping hot, they need to be eaten within 24 hours of being cooked.
Otherwise, they will start to lose their shape and become mushy.
The same goes for freezing pierogis.
Frozen pierogis should be eaten within one month of being frozen.
There are plenty of places where you can get your hands on some delicious pierogis.
Here are some of our favorite spots to get your fill of this delicacy:
Pierogi Place – This restaurant has been serving up its unique version of the popular Polish dish since 1996.
Krakowska – This eatery serves traditional Polish dishes, including pierogis, kielbasa, and other delicious items.
Polish Food Store – This shop sells dishes like pierogis, pierogi chmieli, and potato pancakes.
Mama’s Polish Kitchen – Mama’s Polish Kitchen has been serving authentic Polish cuisine for over 35 years.
Olsztyn – This restaurant specializes in pierogis, and you can order them by phone or online.
Mrs T’s Frozen Pierogies In Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 bag Pierogies
- 1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Instructions
- Remove frozen pierogies from the packaging.
- Toss your frozen pierogies in extra virgin olive oil.
- Place as many in the air fryer that will fit without overlapping.
- Cook for 10–12 minutes at 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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