Authentic Gluten-Free Pierogi: Just Like Babcia’s

Oh, the taste of pierogi. It’s one of those things that instantly transports you back to your childhood kitchen, isn’t it? The warm, comforting smell of the dough, the chatter of the family gathered around the table, the love you could taste in every single bite. For so many of us, pierogi aren’t just a meal; they are the flavor of home, passed down from our mothers and babcias.

But what if you can’t have gluten? The thought of missing out on this precious piece of our heritage can feel heartbreaking. That’s why I worked so hard to create a gluten-free pierogi dough that is just as tender, soft, and delicious as the one you remember. It was a challenge, but seeing my family enjoy them and knowing that this tradition can continue is a joy that fills my heart.

Here is the secret to a gluten-free pierogi recipe that tastes like it came straight from Poland!

How To Make Gluten-Free Pierogi Step By Step?

The printable recipe is available at the end of this article. Ensure all ingredients are gluten-free. Check all the labels before using the ingredients. To make the pierogi gluten-free, all ingredients need to be gluten-free.

Here’s a video where I am showing how to make gluten-free pierogi step by step:

Step 1 – Make The Filling

You can do it a day before. Peel and cook potatoes until soft. In the meantime, fry the onion in butter. Mix warm potatoes with farmer’s cheese, fried onion, salt, and pepper.

Step 2 – Make The Dough

Knead the dough using your hands or a food processor.

Step 3 – Prepare The Circles

Divide the dough into 2 pieces. Thinly roll each piece out onto a floured surface to just under 1/16 thickness.

Use a round cookie cutter or a glass to cut the circles from the dough.

Step 4 – Make Pierogi

Put the filling (1/2-3 teaspoons) in the centre of each circle. The more filling the better; however, you need to be sure it stays inside pierogi. When the filling gets between the dough when sealing, the pierogi may fall apart during cooking.

Pull the edges of each circle together to form pierogi. Make sure the seal is continuous and intact. You can’t leave any free space, as pierogi will fall apart during cooking. Pinch tightly.

Step 5 – Repeat

Collect the remaining dough scraps and put them with the other piece of dough. Repeat the process until the entire filling and dough are used.

Step 6 – Cook Pierogi

Gently throw pierogi, one by one, into the boiling salty water.

When they start floating, wait for a minute and take them out with the slotted spoon.

Serve warm with melted butter on top.

Tips For Making Perfect Gluten-Free Pierogi

Remember to follow the tips below to ensure your pierogi are perfect:

• Cook pierogi in boiling hot water
• Don’t overcrowd them (if you put too many pierogi in the pot, pierogi will stick to each other)
• Make the dough a bit thicker than standard pierogi (gluten-free dough is less stretchable, so a thicker dough will make sealing easier)

How To Freeze Gluten-Free Pierogi?

Freezing pierogi is easy; however, there are a few important things you need to remember.

Freezing Cooked Pierogi

The most important rule when preparing cooked pierogi for storing is to lay them separately until they cool off.

 When the steam is no longer coming out of them, pierogi are ready to be greased with melted butter. Butter not only adds a delicious flavor to the dish but also helps with storing it for a longer period. Now, when covered with grease, pierogi can be stored in a bowl without risking having them stacked together. However, if the space in your fridge allows, leave them on the tray.

When the pierogi are finally cold, transfer the whole tray to the freezer. Allow it to stay in the freezer for 3-4 hours. Once you see they are hard and frozen, transfer them to a food container suitable for the freezer.

Freezing Uncooked Pierogi

Pierogi can be successfully frozen even without boiling them beforehand. Place freshly made pierogi onto a tray or cutting board, dust with flour, and transfer the whole batch straight to the freezer. When frozen, transfer pierogi to a food container suitable for freezer. 

Gluten-Free Pierogi Recipe