Some Awesome Oktoberfest Recipes To Bring The Celebration To You!
Looking for great recipes to celebrate Oktoberfest? Lisa is from Bavaria, so she knows a thing or two about this epic Volksfest! Beer, bands, and Tracht (Lederhosn and Dirndl) might be important – but without the food, you’ll go hungry!
If you’re not going to Munich to celebrate Oktoberfest in person, having an Oktoberfest party at home is a great chance to get together with friends and enjoy lots of delicious food and drink.
With so many authentic Oktoberfest recipes to try, it can be tough to choose which ones to make.
So here’s our list of recipes for Oktoberfest – from German fried potatoes (Bratkartoffeln) to sweet Bavarian Cream – to give you (and your taste buds) a little taste of Bavaria!
There are some classic Oktoberfest dishes you won’t find on this list – think Backhendl (roast chicken), Weißwurst, or Schweinebraten (pork roast) – because we don’t have recipes for them (yet).
We’ll add them over time and then update this post accordingly. But the following recipes are definitely enough to get you started planning an Oktoberfest party with authentic recipes. Enjoy!
German Fried Potatoes (Bratkartoffeln)
These German fried potatoes are crispy little medallions of goodness. Known as Bratkartoffeln, they can be served with sauerkraut or as a classic side with meat dishes such as Leberkäse.
Get The Fried Potato Recipe
Obatzda (German Beer Cheese Spread)
Obatzda – a German Cheese Spread – is a delectable orange Bavarian creation. Made from various cheeses, onion, spices like paprika, and a dash of wheat beer – this simple spread is the perfect dip for German pretzels!
Get The Obatzda Recipe
German Pretzels (Laugenbrezeln)
German Pretzels – commonly known as Laugenbrezeln or Brezn in Munich – are a classic baked good at Oktoberfest. This version is made with a simple dough and dipped in baking soda (instead of lye). These pretzels are soft on the inside, golden on the outside, and sprinkled with coarse salt!
Get The German Pretzel Recipe
Homemade Radler Beer
Of course, beer served in large beer mugs called Maßkrüge is the drink of choice for many Oktoberfest visitors. But if you don't like the taste of beer that much, you can try mixing it with a soda such as Sprite or 7UP. Known as a Radler in the south of Germany, it's easy to make and quite refreshing.
Get The Radler Recipe
German Potato Pancakes
These hearty, crispy fried potato pancakes are simple to make and delicious to eat! Served best hot, these pancakes are best eaten with a sweet apple sauce, a savory garlic sauce, or even a creamy quark!
Get The Reibekuchen Recipe
German Meatballs (Frikadellen)
These authentic German meatballs – also known as Frikadellen or Fleischpflanzerl in parts of Bavaria – are easy to make with minced meat, egg, breadcrumbs, and a little bit of onion. These meatballs can be served as a side dish or as a quick meal on a bun with some lettuce, pickles, and sauce!
Get The Fleischpflanzerl Recipe
Apfelküchle (German Fried Apple Rings)
Apfelküchle – or fried apple rings – are a delicious apple-filled treat that you'll find at Oktoberfest. These fried apple rings are often sprinkled with a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture, but you can also serve them with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream!
Get The Apfelküchle Recipe
Flammkuchen
Flammkuchen is a classic recipe found at many German Volksfeste, including Oktoberfest. Technically a tart (but often called a pizza), our Flammkuchen is topped with a creamy base, onion, and bacon. This thin-crust delight makes a great dinner option!
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German Potato Salad (Kartoffelsalat)
Potato salad is a popular side to Oktoberfest classics such as Backhendl (roast chicken). This creamy version is made with potatoes, meat salad, and egg, making it a filling side dish for your Oktoberfest celebration.
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Krautsalat
This authentic German cabbage salad is made with fresh green cabbage, onion, and a touch of white wine vinegar and caraway. It's a light salad that works well as a side to hearty dishes.
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German Red Cabbage (Rotkraut)
Our traditional and delicious German red cabbage recipe is made with apples, onion, and a few key spices. This colorful side dish pairs well with heavy meat dishes like Schweinebraten (pork roast), an Oktoberfest classic, and looks beautiful on any table!
Get The Red Cabbage Recipe
Käsespätzle (German Cheese Spaetzle)
Known as Käsespätzle, these cheese spaetzle, are the perfect hearty vegetarian dish you'll find on many Oktoberfest menus. Made with homemade egg noodles and shredded Emmental cheese, this not-too-healthy-but-oh-so-yummy dish is topped with fried onions for added crunch and flavor!
Get The Käsespätzle Recipe
Semmelknödel (German Bread Dumplings)
If you order a meat dish with gravy at Oktoberfest, there's a good chance it'll be served with German bread dumplings called Semmelknödel. They are easy to make, a great use for old bread, and pair perfectly with meat dishes with gravy or a creamy mushroom sauce.
Get The Semmelknödel Recipe
Easy Sauerkraut Soup
If you want to serve soup for your Oktoberfest celebration at home, try this easy sauerkraut soup! Made with lots of sauerkraut, potatoes, onions, bits of pancetta bacon, and a few spices, it's a warm and hearty soup! For a fun twist, you could even serve it in small bread bowls.
Get The Sauerkraut Soup Recipe
Wurstsalat (Sausage Salad)
Wurstsalat – or Sausage Salad – is something you'll also likely see on Oktoberfest menus. Serve it for "Brotzeit" with some bread or German pretzels for a filling meal. For a classic Bavarian Wurstsalat, skip the cheese – but it also tastes delicious as a Swiss Wurstsalat with cheese!
Get The Wurstsalat Recipe
Bavarian Cream
Bavarian Cream makes the perfect dessert. Creamy like a custard with a light, whipped texture, this classic dessert recipe is served with a berry puree. Bavarian Cream looks fancy but is actually not tough to make!
Get The Bavarian Cream Recipe
German Candied Almonds (Gebrannte Mandeln)
Sweet and cinnamony, German candied almonds are a delicious sweet treat that can be smelled from far away. They are a Volksfest staple and you'll definitely find them sold in paper cones at Oktoberfest. Made with fresh almonds coated in a blend of sugar and spices, these almonds are a great snack addition to your Oktoberfest celebration!
Get The Gebrannte Mandeln Recipe
Apple Strudel
Apple Strudel – or Apfelstrudel in German – is a classic Austrian dessert that's also very popular in Bavaria. Made from thinly rolled dough filled with sweetened apples and rum-soaked raisins, it's best enjoyed with vanilla sauce or vanilla ice cream!
Get The Apple Strudel Recipe
Kaiserschmarrn
Sweet and doughy, Kaiserschmarrn (literally "Emperor's Mess") is a delicious dessert that can also be considered an Oktoberfest classic. Easy to prepare with eggs, flour, milk, and sugar, this messy-looking pancake tastes great served with a sweet plum jam, apple sauce, or powdered sugar!
Get The Kaiserschmarrn Recipe
