Oktoberfest is a time for beer, cheer, and, of course, outstanding cuisine!
Get ready to immerse yourself in German flavors with these 19 sensational recipes.
From savory sensations to sweet indulgences, I have rounded up the ultimate list of must-try dishes to celebrate Oktoberfest in style!
1. Sauerkraut & Bratwurst Balls
If you adore bratwurst and sauerkraut and seek a different way of savoring this iconic pairing, give these sauerkraut and bratwurst balls a whirl.
They capture everything you cherish about the traditional German flavors, all neatly tucked within a flawlessly crisp, golden sphere of delight.
I would say that is quite yummy.
2. Oktoberfest Dessert “Beer Mug”
With these delightful “beer mug” Jell-O creations, you can prolong the Oktoberfest revelry right into the dessert course. To achieve this, blend your preferred yellow Jell-O with gelatine, lemon juice, and sugar.
Then, crown each glass with a harmonious blend of yogurt and whipped cream. The outcome? Tart Jell-O treats that are alcohol-free, boasting luscious, creamy toppings reminiscent of a well-poured German beer.
3. Bratkartoffeln
Bratkartoffeln literally means “fried potatoes,” but a lot of people just call it German cottage fries. They’re incredibly straightforward, clocking in at just 35 minutes and calling for a mere six components: potatoes, onions, bacon, cooking oil, salt, and pepper.
Toss in your favorite fresh herb for good measure. They bear a resemblance to American fried potatoes, but the smoky essence truly elevates them.
4. Oktoberfest Casserole
This casserole has all the wonderful parts of Oktoberfest mixed into one tasty casserole. There’s lots of cheese and hash browns, plus some bratwursts and sauerkraut, some chicken broth, and a tasty mix of pretzels and beer cheese.
I find that it’s cheesy, creamy, and really crunchy. Preparing this will take only 15 minutes.
5. Homemade German Pretzels
German soft pretzels, also known as laugenbrezel, are a must at Oktoberfest and nearly every German holiday.
They have light and crispy exteriors with warm insides and an ample amount of pretzel salt and brown sugar to make for a perfectly balanced sweet and salty snack. I love that they can be paired with mustard, beer cheese, or just about anything!
6. German Cucumber Salad
Even though it’s well-liked at Oktoberfest, this is a refreshing, tangy, and sour salad is a well-known summer dish. This simple salad features really thin cucumbers, sour cream, white vinegar, dill, salt, pepper, and a bit of sugar to take away some of the sour flavor.
While it only takes 15 minutes to prep, you’ll need to let it chill for four hours before serving. It also goes well with brats and schnitzel.
7. Bratwurst and Sauerkraut with Apples and Onions
It really doesn’t get more German than juicy bratwursts sitting on top of a bed of sauerkraut.
I am obsessed with the buttery and brown bratwursts and sour sauerkraut, plus the addition of apple juice, apples, onions, and potatoes for a hint of sweetness and a filling meal. You won’t be hungry after eating this!
8. Black Forest Cake
Cherries and chocolate make a great pairing. If you feel the same, you’ll feel like you’ve gone to heaven after just one taste of this fluffy, decadent black forest cake.
It has two chocolate cake layers, a tasty cherry filling, whipped cream icing, chocolate shavings and syrup, and a cherry on top. It’s truly a chocolate lover’s dream.
9. Potato Pancakes (German Kartoffelpuffer)
Whip up eight of these thin, crispy potato pancakes in less than 30 minutes! Since these have a fairly mild taste, you can serve them with various toppings for a sweet or savory dish.
If you want breakfast, top with syrup, applesauce, or sugar. For something more savory, pair with yogurt, cream cheese, or gravy instead.
10. Spaetzle
This 15-minute side is German cooking at its finest. While this buttery spaetzle isn’t as famous as brats or schnitzel, anyone from Germany knows what it is.
You only need four ingredients – flour, salt, eggs, and milk – and it will make you think of delicious macaroni and cheese, minus the cheese. I’d say that is a winner.
11. Traditional German Rotkohl (Sweet/Sour Red Cabbage)
If you’re not a fan of cabbage, then this one isn’t for you. However, I think that there’s nothing better to pair with a juicy brat than sweet and sour cabbage.
It takes 15 minutes to prepare and needs to cook for about 2 hours. It’s sour and a bit bitter, like most cabbage, but it also has a sweetness that’s hard to resist.
12. Flammkuchen
People use fancy words to describe flammkuchen, like tarte flambée or creme fraiche-topped flatbread. It’s delicious, thin-crust pizza topped with onions, smoked bacon, and creme fraiche.
You won’t use tomato paste and cheese like on American pizzas, but this German version is still really tasty. I know that I could eat this all day!
13. Radler
There is no way I would close an article on Oktoberfest recipes and not add at least one beer. Known in Bavaria, this drink is half light lager, half sparkling lemonade. It’s a refreshing citrus ale flavor.
To make this, you’ll need chilled German lager and sparkling lemonade. For extra flavor, add ice cubes and garnish the glass with lemon slices and rosemary.
14. Bavarian Apple-Sausage Hash
After a long night of Oktoberfest beer drinking, you’re going to need something greasy and comforting. Bavarian apple-sausage hash is great for taking care of any hangover.
You can use almost anything to make it such as onions, chicken sausages, Brussels sprouts, apples, caraway seeds, walnuts, brown sugar, and mustard! Nothing can help soak up all that beer in your stomach better than Bavarian hash.
15. Soft Pretzel Bites with Spicy Mustard Dip
These are soft pretzels, but smaller! The spicy mustard dip is what makes it. It’s tangy, a little sweet, and full of heat.
I am really tempted to make these right now, because my mouth is watering. Who doesn’t love a delicious pretzel?
16. German Potato Salad
I think I’m a potato salad expert, so when I say a potato salad recipe is great, believe me. This recipe for German potato salad is totally great. This has tender potatoes (both red and gold), crispy bacon, onions, garlic, and more.
You could enjoy it with nothing else on your plate, and not be disappointed. It also pairs really well with almost any meat.
17. Schnitzel
If you’ve never had them, pork schnitzels are breaded pork chops seasoned with garlic, paprika, and pepper. The breading is crispy and perfectly seasoned, and the chops are tender and flavorful.
Be sure to serve these with lemon wedges for some extra zest. I am sure that this dish is great.
18. Oktoberfest Roast Chicken
A lot of people associate German food with sausages, brats, liver, and other proteins that use beef or pork. However, roast chicken is also quite common throughout Germany. Known as wiesn hendl, it’s commonly eaten in homes and restaurants when Oktoberfest rolls around.
And even though it only has five ingredients (chicken, Italian parsley, butter, salt, and pepper) it’s still really tasty. I think it’s juicy and so tender, and every bite is seasoned well.
19. Obatzda Recipe (German Beer Cheese Dip)
When it comes to beer cheese, this recipe for Obatzda is truly one of the best I’ve ever tasted. With this, you’ll blend your favorite spreadable cheese with brie (or Camembert), butter, and wheat beer.
Then, you’ll add caraway, paprika, salt, and pepper, and then fluff the mixture until it’s velvety smooth. After chilling overnight and adding chives and onions, the result is a creamy dip with an ale-and-cheese taste that’s great on pretty much everything.