Oktoberfest Food: 20+ delicious recipes to create a traditional German menu (2024)

Oktoberfest Food: 20+ delicious recipes to create a traditional German menu (1)

Oktoberfest is a traditional Bavarian feast full of beer and food that has played a part in spreading German food around the world. Although the name includes the word October, this festival is held every year from mid-September until the very first days of October in Munich in honor of crown prince of Bavaria's wedding. In fact, the dates of the festivities were brought forward over the years due to weather issues, making sure that everyone enjoyed the last warm days of the season.

Therefore, every year lovers of beer and good food gather at the fairs in order to dance, sing and enjoy tasty recipes served in the beer tents and stalls around Theresienwiese.

On the other hand, if you can't fly all the way to Germany to take part in the festivities, you can always throw an Oktoberfest-themed party at home with family and friends by creating your own Oktoberfest menu. We have come up with 20+ traditional German recipes thatare easy to make, and be sure to get sauerkraut, brats, roasted pork and lager. Remember to always serve tasty snacks, main dishes that transport you to Bavaria, typical desserts and lots of German beer.

  • 1.Easy Oktoberfest Recipes for your Menu
    • 1.1Oktoberfest Appetizer and Snack Ideas
    • 1.2Traditional Oktoberfest Main Dishes
    • 1.3Oktoberfest Desserts

Easy Oktoberfest Recipes for your Menu

Oktoberfest Appetizer and Snack Ideas

1. Homemade Pretzel: the fantastic recipe for traditional Bavarian-style pretzels

A pretzel is a baked Bavarian-style bread-like pastry shaped into a knot and flavored with salt. With crispy edges and a soft, chewy inside, it's salty yet sweet and buttery.

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2. Obatzda: the mouthwatering recipe for Bavarian beer cheese dip to serve at parties

Obatzda is a Bavarian beer cheese dip served as appetizer at German beer gardens. It's made of white aged soft cheese mixed with butter, beer, onion, and paprika.

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3. Potato Pancakes: the easy recipe for a crispy, potato comfort food dish

Potato pancakes are an easy, tasty recipe to serve as appetizer or side dish. It's made from potato, onion, flour, and egg then pan-fried to golden brown perfection.

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4. Soft Pretzel Bites: the best recipe for buttery pretzels

Homemade soft pretzel bites are an amazing easy-to-make snack that the whole family will love. These bite-sized treats are easier to make, since there's no fussing around trying to form that classic pretzel shape, and there's very little active cooking time. So, what are you waiting for? Try out our tasty recipe!

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5. Spicy Bavarian Beer Mustard: a very delicious German recipe

This traditional mustard is great with sausages, or for dipping pretzels into.

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Traditional Oktoberfest Main Dishes

6. Beer Brats: the ultimate recipe for juicy, smoky, flavorful sausages

Beer brats are a succulent main dish recipe perfect for summer or Oktoberfest parties. Simmer bratwurst with sliced onions and beer, then grill to give them that smoky char.

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7. Sauerbraten: the best recipe for one of the tastiest traditional German dishes

Sauerbraten is one of German's most delicious national dishes. It's made from rump roast or bottom round roast marinated in a sweet-tangy marinade and cooked to perfection.

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8. Currywurst: the effortless recipe for a popular German street food

Currywurst is a popular German street food you can enjoy at Imbissbuden or beer gardens. It's made of juicy, thick-sliced bratwurst smothered in seasoned curry ketchup.

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9. Sauerkraut Balls: a must-have appetizer for your Oktoberfest party

Sauerkraut balls are a classic German beer garden appetizers. These bite-sized balls have a crispy golden brown exterior surrounding a savory, soft filling.

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10. Roast Chicken: the flavorful main dish recipe for a juicy, tender whole roast chicken

Roast chicken is a classic, tasty main dish recipe. With a crispy skin, whole roast chicken is juicy, tender and flavorful thanks to butter and aromatic herbs.

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11. German Potato Salad: an amazing side dish for your summer parties

German potato salad is an easy side dish recipe for your summer. It's packed with tender, thick-cut potatoes and crispy bacon tossed in a tangy, sweet dressing.

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12. German Spaetzle: comforting dumplings to replace weeknight pasta

German Spaetzle are doughy little dumplings made with flour, eggs, yogurt, and milk. They’re shaped and boiled like pasta but have a soft, pillowy texture. Spaetzle originates in Swabia, Germany, and they’re still proudly made and enjoyed there today.It's a delicious recipe that substitutes regular pasta or rice.

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13. Sauerkraut Strudel (Krautstrudel): an easy German recipe

Sauerkraut strudel, or Krautstrudel, is a German main dish recipe. It's made with phyllo dough stuffed with sauerkraut, bacon, onions, peppers and spices.

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14. German potato dumplings: the delicious dumpling recipe

These are not very high on salt and flavors. But, only a true foodie will relish the subtle flavor, lovely texture, and delicious combination of this preparation!

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15. Rotkohl: the sweet, tangy recipe for German red cabbage side dish

Rotkohl is a classic German side dish made of red cabbage, apples, onions simmered in apple cider and spices until tender. Sweet and sour, serve it with sausages and roasts.

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16. Flammkuchen: a tasty recipe for German pizza that you can make in no time

Flammkuchen (also called German pizza) is a tasty main dish similar to a flatbread. Topped with bacon, onion and crème fraiche, It's savory, smoky and has a crispy thin crust.

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17. Sauerkraut Soup: a delicious, healthy German soup recipe for Sauerkrautsuppe

Sauerkaut soup (Sauerkrautsuppe in German) is a tasty, healthy recipe perfect for fall. Tangy thanks to the sauerkraut, it's favored with savory bacon pieces and smoky paprika.

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18. Oktoberfest Strudels: the beautiful and tasty savory version

Because it’s made with ready-made puff pastry and cooked bratwurst sausages, this recipe is easy to make, even for beginner cooks.

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19. Cucumber Salad: the refreshing, healthy recipe for a classic German salad

This cucumber salad is a healthy, quick summery recipe. Refreshing and easy to make, it's made with cucumber and onions tossed in a lightly sweet yet tart vinaigrette.

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Oktoberfest Desserts

20. Krapfen: the amazing recipe for easy German jam doughnuts

Krapfen are an easy recipe to make German jam-filled doughnuts. Usually enjoyed during Carnival in Europe, they're soft, airy and golden brown with a white ring around the center.

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21. Bavarian Cream: the classic dessert recipe from Germany

Authentic Bavarian Cream is made of a thick egg custard flavored with vanilla, and lightened with whipped cream before being chilled. It will set while in the fridge, and you can set and serve it in little glass dishes with some fruit compote on the side.

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22. Apple Strudel: the original recipe of the traditional Austrian dessert

Apple strudel is a traditional Austrian dessert with a very thin, flaky crust made with strudel dough. Then it's rolled and filled with apples, raisins, pine nuts and spices.

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23. Donauwelle: the easy, decadent recipe for a German dessert

Donauwelle cake (Snow White Cake) is a German dessert with a marbled, wavy look. It consists of layers of sponge cake, vanilla pudding, chocolate ganache, cherries.

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24. Black Forest Truffles: The most decadent chocolate dessert ever!

The only problem is that these truffles (like all other) take too long to chill and set. So, stay patient to enjoy a delicious treat in the end!

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25. German apple cake: a must try apple and walnut cake recipe

To top it all, you will be delighted to marry the soft and delicious slice of cake with the lovely and creamy frosting.

Read the recipe

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Fall How-to

Oktoberfest Food: 20+ delicious recipes to create a traditional German menu (2024)

FAQs

What are 3 major food dishes in Germany list and describe? ›

Currywurst: Ketchup mixed with curry powder made this sausage a street food classic. Döner kebab: Germans have Turkish immigrants to thank for this popular sandwich. Schnitzel: The German version is made with tenderized pork or turkey and can be ordered in most traditional restaurants.

What is the traditional German Oktoberfest? ›

The current iteration of Oktoberfest is a celebration of German culture, food, and (of course) beer. The only beer served at the event comes from the original 6 breweries in Munich, and the celebration gets kicked off with the mayor tapping the keg in as few swings of the hammer as possible.

What do kids eat at Oktoberfest? ›

A bratwurst (like a hotdog) or schnitzel (pounded, breaded and fried meat) is a great place to start. For slightly less picky eaters, try a spaetzle (potato noodles - usually with onions and cheese), konigsberger klopse (German meatballs), or a German potato salad or marinated cucumber salad!

What is ate at Oktoberfest? ›

At the booths

They sell cold sausages, fish rolls (Fischsemmel), cheese, Bavarian meatloaf (Leberkas), and Schnitzel rolls. Additionally, all the small tents sell some of their foods at their counters.

What are German foods tradition? ›

The Best Traditional Food of Germany
  • Bratwurst. You'll find these delectable German sausages everywhere in the country and they come in the biggest variety of flavours you can imagine. ...
  • Sauerbraten. ...
  • Spätzle. ...
  • Maultaschen. ...
  • Prinzeregententorten. ...
  • Kartoffelpuffer. ...
  • Stolen.
Jun 5, 2019

What is a typical German menu? ›

More often than not, classic dishes like Wiener Schnitzel, Würstchen mit Sauerkraut, and, of course, potato-based dishes in various forms, like in Bratkartoffeln (Roasted Potatoes), Pommes Frites (French Fries), or Kartoffelauflauf (potato cassseroles).

What is Germany's most eaten food? ›

What are the most popular German foods?
  • Pretzels. ...
  • Sauerkraut. ...
  • Wiener Schnitzel. ...
  • Rouladen. ...
  • Currywurst. ...
  • Eisbein. ...
  • Kartoffelpuffer. ...
  • Black Forest Gateau.
Mar 13, 2024

What do Germans yell at Oktoberfest? ›

O'zapft is, in particular, is the most iconic of Oktoberfest sayings. This is the cry you will here once the Mayor of Munich has tapped the ceremonial keg, thus kicking off the entire two-week-long event.

What do German locals call Oktoberfest? ›

Locally, it is called d'Wiesn, after the colloquial name for the fairgrounds, Theresienwiese. Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture, having been held since the year 1810. Other cities across the world also hold Oktoberfest celebrations that are modeled after the original Munich event.

What is the most important thing on Oktoberfest? ›

The most important thing is to choose good dates. Due to the huge crowds, the slower days are more enjoyable, which is why avoiding Saturdays is the most important piece of advice we can give. If you want to visit the Oktoberfest on a weekend, Sundays are preferable.

What is a good Oktoberfest menu? ›

Other German main dishes suited to Oktoberfest include Chicken Schnitzel, Rouladen, Beer Brats, and Stuffed Cabbage Rolls.
  • Pork Schnitzel. ...
  • Rouladen. ...
  • Spaetzle. ...
  • German Potato Salad. ...
  • Homemade Soft Pretzels. ...
  • Lebkuchen. ...
  • Lemon Spezi.
Sep 18, 2022

What do German kids eat for lunch? ›

Lunch (Mittagessen)

A typical lunch plate might consist of Kartoffelsalat mit Würstchen or Frikadellen. This is potato salad with sausage or meat balls for the first part.

What food goes with Oktoberfest beer? ›

Things like cheesy noodles or Käsespätzle, currywurst, a more spiced sausage often served next to a pile of fries, or German potato salad. Wesseloh says the key to him is something “with character but nothing too big or bold.” He suggests Camembert or beer cheese but has a favorite dish in mind, too.

What is a traditional Oktoberfest breakfast? ›

The Oktoberfest secret tip is the breakfast: scrambled eggs, honey-roast ham, fruit salad, fresh yogurt, a fluffy croissant and a glass of orange juice or even prosecco. If you prefer something savory, you might opt for the famous flammkuchen or a soup.

What do Germans drink during Oktoberfest? ›

Beer, of course. All the beer that is served at the Oktoberfest comes from famous Munich breweries, such as Paulaner and Augustiner. If you don't like one of Germany's favorite beverages, you can also get all kinds of other drinks, including non-alcoholic beverages, wine and cider.

What is the most important meal of the day in Germany? ›

Breakfast is one the most important meal in German households. Start off with a warm beverage such as coffee, tea or hot cocoa. Next follow slices of fresh, crusty or toasted bread (Brot) or bread rolls (Brötchen) with various spreads and toppings.

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