Air-Fried Fleischkuechle: A Tasty, Crunchy Twist

Fleischkuechle (Flesh-Keek-Luh) is a German dish that consists of deep-fried dumplings with seasoned ground beef. It is a favorite in Germany and has also gained popularity in other parts of the world, especially in North Dakota, USA. Traditionally, Fleischkuechle is prepared by deep-frying the dumplings in oil. However, with the growing popularity of air fryers, a natural question arises: can you make Fleischkuechle in an air fryer? Air fryers have become a go-to kitchen appliance for many due to their convenience, ease of use, and ability to produce crispy and crunchy textures without the mess and cleanup associated with traditional deep frying.

Fleischkuechle dough and meat mixture

Fleischkuechle is a German meat pastry or dumpling that is popular in Germany, Russia, and North Dakota. The dough is typically made with flour, eggs, and milk, and the meat mixture usually consists of ground beef, onion, and seasonings.

To make the dough, mix together flour and cream or milk until a kneadable dough is formed. You can add more flour or liquid to achieve the desired consistency. Let the dough rest for about 20 minutes before rolling it out.

For the meat mixture, combine ground beef with diced onion, salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings. You can also add shredded carrot and sauerkraut to the mixture for extra flavour and texture. Form the meat mixture into small balls, about the size of a golf ball.

Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until it is about 1/4 inch thick. Cut the dough into circles, or fold it over the meat mixture like a calzone. Place the meat mixture onto one half of the dough circle, then fold the other half over and seal the edges. The Fleischkuechle can then be frozen or fried immediately.

To fry the Fleischkuechle, heat a large amount of oil in a deep fryer or kettle to around 365-385°F. Carefully place the Fleischkuechle into the hot oil and cook until golden brown, turning once. This should take about 10 minutes per batch. Serve with ketchup, ranch, or your favourite dip.

How to roll out and cut the dough

Fleischkuechle, or "Flesh-Keek-Luh", is a German dish of seasoned ground beef wrapped in dough and deep-fried. To make the dish in an air fryer instead of a deep fryer, you can follow the same recipe and simply use an air fryer instead of a deep fryer to cook the beef-filled dough pockets.

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Before you start rolling, it's important to shape your dough into a block or disk. Turn the dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap and use your hands to press and pat it into the desired shape. If you're making Fleischkuechle, you'll likely want a round disk shape.

Let the dough rest for a while. This will allow the gluten to relax, making it less susceptible to shrinking when you roll, cut, and bake it. For pie dough, you can chill the disk in the fridge for about an hour. If you're making cookies or Fleischkuechle, you can use the dough right away.

Step 2: Choose Your Tools

Now, it's time to select the right tools for rolling. You can use a French tapered-style rolling pin, a rolling pin with handles, or an adjustable rolling pin with interchangeable rings. The adjustable option is the best choice if you want to achieve a precise thickness without guesswork. If you don't have an adjustable rolling pin, you can use pastry rulers or dowels to guide your rolling and ensure you don't roll the dough too thin.

Step 3: Roll Out the Dough

Unwrap the dough and place it on a countertop between two large sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap. This technique helps prevent over-flouring, which can affect the texture of your final product. If you decide to use flour, use a pastry brush to remove any excess.

If the dough feels too soft to work with, return it to the fridge for a few minutes to firm up. Conversely, if it's too stiff, let it rest at room temperature until it becomes more pliable.

Start rolling from the centre of the dough, applying even pressure and rolling away from yourself. Then, rotate the dough 90 degrees and repeat the process until it reaches the desired thickness.

Step 4: Cut the Dough

If you're making Fleischkuechle, you'll want to cut the dough into round circles. You can use a lid, a cookie cutter, or a saucer as your cutter. Cut the dough in half and roll it out on a lightly floured surface before cutting your circles.

If you're making cookies, flour your cookie cutter and cut out the desired shapes as efficiently as possible. Re-rolling the dough scraps can toughen the cookies, so try to minimise the number of times you re-roll. Transfer your cut cookies to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

For a pie crust, you can choose to trim the dough now or wait until after you've transferred it to the pie dish. Gently roll the dough onto a well-floured rolling pin, then unfold it onto the centre of the pie dish for trimming, crimping, and filling.

Step 5: Chill Before Baking

If your recipe contains butter, it's essential to chill your cut-out dough before baking. Place your Fleischkuechle dough circles, cut cookies, or pie crust in the fridge for 20-30 minutes before proceeding. This step helps solidify the butter, resulting in flakier dough and better-shaped final products.

Now you have your rolled and cut dough, you can continue with the Fleischkuechle recipe by spooning the meat mixture onto the dough circles, folding them over, and sealing the edges before placing them in your air fryer. Enjoy your Fleischkuechle!

Filling and sealing the Fleischkuechle

Fleischkuechle, or "Flesh-Keek-Luh", is a German dish of deep-fried dumplings with seasoned ground beef. The process of filling and sealing the Fleischkuechle is a crucial step in its preparation. Here is a detailed guide:

Preparing the Filling:

Start by mixing the ground beef with finely chopped onions, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder or meat tenderizer, depending on your preference. Mix the ingredients until they are well blended and set the bowl aside.

Rolling the Dough:

For the dough, you will typically need flour, eggs, and milk, and possibly butter. Mix these ingredients together until you achieve a soft dough consistency. Let the dough rest for a while, and then divide it into smaller portions. Roll out each portion into circles of about 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface.

Filling and Sealing:

Take a golf ball-sized amount of the prepared beef filling and place it onto one half of a dough circle. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling, enclosing it completely. To seal the Fleischkuechle, you can use one of two methods:

• Press the edges together firmly with your fingers, ensuring that they are securely closed.
• Use a saucer to press or roll over the edges, creating a more uniform seal.

By following these steps, you will have successfully filled and sealed your Fleischkuechle, ready for the next step—cooking!

Note: While the traditional method involves deep-frying, some people have experimented with using an air fryer for a healthier alternative.

Air fryer temperature and timing

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep frying, offering a healthier, quicker, and less messy option for cooking. Fleischkuechle, a German dish of seasoned ground beef dumplings, can be cooked in an air fryer with some adjustments to the traditional recipe.

Firstly, prepare the Fleischkuechle dough and meat mixture as you usually would. The dough should be a soft, kneadable consistency, and the meat should be seasoned and mixed well. Roll out the dough into thin, golf ball-sized circles, fill with the meat, and seal the edges well.

Preheat your air fryer to around 350°F (177°C). This temperature will ensure the Fleischkuechle cooks through without burning the outside. Place the Fleischkuechle in the air fryer in a single layer, leaving space around each one to ensure even cooking.

The cooking time will depend on the size of your Fleischkuechle and the power of your air fryer, but it should take approximately 8-10 minutes. For smaller batches, cook for closer to 8 minutes, checking regularly to ensure they do not burn. For larger batches, you may need the full 10 minutes, or even a little longer.

Halfway through the cooking time, use tongs to carefully flip each Fleischkuechle. This will ensure even browning and cooking on both sides.

Once the Fleischkuechle are golden brown and cooked through, remove them from the air fryer and drain any excess oil. Allow them to cool slightly before serving.

You can also cook frozen Fleischkuechle in the air fryer. Simply pop them into the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for around 12 minutes, or until golden and heated through.

Serving suggestions and storage

Fleischkuechle is a versatile dish that can be served as a snack, side, or main course. Traditionally, it is served as a deep-fried dumpling with seasoned ground beef, but it can also be baked in the oven as a "meat cookie".

For serving suggestions, Fleischkuechle can be served with a variety of dips and sides. Ketchup, ranch dressing, and dill pickles are popular choices. It can also be served as a sandwich or with a salad, such as a cucumber salad.

When it comes to storage, Fleischkuechle can be frozen either cooked or raw. If you're looking to freeze them, it's recommended to put them in the freezer before frying, as this makes it easier to place them in the hot oil. They can be stored in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.

To reheat, simply place them in the air fryer or oven and heat until warmed through. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but they may lose their crispiness.

Fleischkuechle is best served fresh, but if you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Frequently asked questions