24 Traditional Amish Recipes (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style Comfort Food

24 Traditional Amish Recipes (1)Grace MannonUpdated: Jul. 20, 2023

    These Amish recipes are made with basic ingredients and tried-and-true techniques.

    Amish Sugar Cookies

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    These easy-to-make, old-fashioned sugar cookies simply melt in your mouth! I’ve passed this recipe around to many friends. After I gave it to my sister, she entered the cookies in a local fair and won best of show. —Sylvia Ford, Kennett, Missouri

    Enjoy more Amish cookie recipes.

    Amish Friendship Bread

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    24 Traditional Amish Recipes (2)

    LAUREN HABERMEHL FOR TASTE OF HOME

    Not only will the fun tradition of sharing friendship bread keep you steadily supplied with a delicious snack, but it will also help you build a sense of community with everyone who gives and receives a starter of their own! That’s what we call a win-win.

    Here’s what you need to know about Amish butter.

    Shoofly Pie

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    My grandmother made the best shoofly pie in the tradition of the Pennsylvania Dutch. Shoofly pie is to the Pennsylvania Dutch as pecan pie is to a Southerner. —Mark Morgan, Waterford, Wisconsin

    For more hearty meals, take a look at our Pennsylvania Dutch recipes.

    Amish Breakfast Casserole

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    We enjoyed hearty breakfast casseroles during a visit to an Amish inn. When I asked for a recipe, one of the women told me the ingredients right off the top of her head. I modified it a bit to create this version that my family loves. —Beth Notaro, Kokomo, Indiana

    Find the best cooking ideas from Amish kitchens.

    Pennsylvania Dutch Apple Butter

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    You can spread this apple butter on thick and still enjoy a breakfast that's thin on calories. For a smoother texture, use tender varieties such as McIntosh or Cortland apples. —Diane Widmer, Blue Island, Illinois

    Amish Chicken Corn Soup

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    Creamed corn and butter make my chicken corn soup homey and rich. This recipe makes a big batch, but the soup freezes well for future meals—one reason why soups are my favorite thing to make. —Beverly Hoffman, Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania

    The Amish don’t shy away from soup for breakfast!

    Classic Cabbage Rolls

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    I've always enjoyed cabbage rolls but didn't make them since most methods were too complicated. This recipe is fairly simple and results in the best cabbage rolls. My husband, Sid, requests them often. They're terrific to share at gatherings with our children and grandchildren. —Beverly Zehner, McMinnville, Oregon

    How many of these tried-and-true Amish kitchen tools do you own?

    Pickled Eggs with Beets and Hot Cherry Peppers

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    Taste of Home

    Because my grandmother didn't measure anything when she cooked, I had to guess when I decided to duplicate her recipe for pickled eggs. The color becomes more intense the longer they marinate. —Judie Thurstenson, Colcord, OK

    Amish Potato Pancakes

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    I have always been fascinated with Amish culture, especially the cooking! I came across this old recipe years ago, and it's my husband's very favorite side dish. —Barbara Braatz, Greendale, Wisconsin

    Old-Fashioned Whoopie Pies

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    Who can resist soft chocolate sandwich cookies filled with a layer of fluffy white frosting? Mom has made these for years. They're a treat that never lasts very long with my two brothers and me around. —Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina

    Find more Amish baked goods to add to your repertoire.

    Amish Potato Bread

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    A tasty mix of whole wheat and all-purpose flour, plus a small amount of mashed potatoes, give this golden bread its wonderful texture. The loaf is very moist and stays that way even days after making it. —Sue Violette, Neillsville, Wisconsin

    Don’t miss our collection of Amish bread recipes.

    Amish Noodles

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    These are the best buttered noodles ever! They are easy to make and kid-friendly, and they pair nicely with lots of main dishes. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas

    Pennsylvania Dutch Funny Cake

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    I can still remember my grandma serving this delicious cake on the big wooden table in her farm kitchen. Every time I bake this unusual cake, it takes me back to those special days at Grandma's. —Diane Ganssle, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

    If desserts are what you crave, here are the best Amish baking tips.

    Apple Dumplings with Sauce

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    This warm and comforting apple dumplings recipe is incredible by itself or served with ice cream. You can decorate each dumpling by cutting 1-inch leaves and a 1/2-inch stem from the leftover dough. —Robin Lendon, Cincinnati, Ohio

    Amish Onion Cake

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    This rich, moist bread with an onion-poppy seed topping is a wonderful break from your everyday bread routine. You can serve it with any meat, and it's a nice accompaniment to soup or salad. I've made it many times and have often been asked to share the recipe. —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland

    Spaetzle Dumplings

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    Taste of Home

    These tender homemade spaetzle noodles take only minutes to make and are a natural accompaniment to chicken. You can serve them with chicken gravy, or simply butter them and sprinkle with parsley. —Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio

    Oatmeal Molasses Crisps

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    Taste of Home

    When I found this recipe in an Amish cookbook, I had to try it. It’s traditional in regions with Amish populations—Pennsylvania, Ohio and the Upper Midwest. Now it’s a staple for our family and the folks at our church fellowship, too. —Jori Schellenberger, Everett, Washington

    Amish Macaroni Salad

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    This Amish macaroni salad is a crowd favorite. It’s supposed to be sweet, but you can lessen the sugar to suit your taste. Garnish with sliced hard-boiled eggs and paprika, if desired. —Mishelle Johnson, Wyoming, Michigan

    Amish Apple Goodie

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    MOLLY ALLEN FOR TASTE OF HOME

    Use those freshly picked apples for this version of an old-fashioned apple crisp. With tender apples and a hint of cinnamon flavor, this recipe will easily become your favorite go-to dessert. —Molly Allen

    Amish Chicken and Noodles

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    TMB STUDIO

    Similar in nature to a noodle casserole, this 7-ingredient recipe will make a meal that will stick to your ribs on those cold nights. We recommend serving this on top of creamy mashed potatoes. —Jill Schildhouse

    Amish Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Pie

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    NANCY MOCK FOR TASTE OF HOME

    Oatmeal pie takes away the cost of pecans but leaves all the taste. The filling of sugar, eggs, corn syrup, vanilla and quick oats makes a flavor and texture that’s almost exactly like a pecan pie. —Nancy Mock

    Amish Broccoli Salad

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    This pretty Amish broccoli salad always gets rave reviews when Mom serves it. She fixes it the night before so that the creamy sweet dressing marinates the vegetables.

    Amish Vanilla Pie

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    We live in rural northern Indiana where we have several Amish communities. I found this recipe in our local paper a few years back, and after making a few adjustments, I came up with a fabulous pie! It reminds me of the many cream pies my grandma made for holidays. Be sure to allow the Amish vanilla pie to set and cool completely before cutting and serving. —Shelly Brubacher, Nappanee, Indiana

    Amish Yum-Yum Salad

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    I received the recipe for Amish yum-yum salad from a friend of my mother’s years ago. I always have the ingredients on hand in case I need a quick dessert. Any flavor of gelatin works well, and sometimes I spoon it into individual parfait glasses instead of serving it in one big bowl. Everyone enjoys it. —Yvonne Bellomo, Ebensburg, Pennsylvania

    Originally Published: January 06, 2021

    24 Traditional Amish Recipes (25)

    Grace Mannon

    Grace learned a ton about the nitty-gritty of food and nutrition while earning her master’s degree in food science. She worked for a well-known baby food company and a company responsible for many favorite snack foods before transitioning to being a stay-at-home mom. She loves writing about complicated food science concepts in an understandable way and as a Taste of Home contributor, Grace covers a little bit of everything, from vintage recipes to must-have holiday foods and treats.

    24 Traditional Amish Recipes (2024)

    FAQs

    What do Amish eat for breakfast? ›

    In fact, they eat lots of things in soup form—even breakfast! A typical Amish breakfast includes coffee soup, a bowl of creamed coffee served with freshly baked bread for dunking.

    What is the Amish diet? ›

    Although modern Amish people occasionally enjoy regular meals such as tacos or lasagne, most of their foods comprise fresh farm-grown vegetables with a high focus on dairy, meat, and eggs, too.

    Why do Amish cook so good? ›

    The beauty of Amish dishes lies in their simplicity. There are no long lists of exotic ingredients and no intricate culinary techniques. Instead, there's a focus on freshness and quality. Butter is churned at home, bread is baked fresh every morning, and vegetables are plucked straight from the garden.

    Can Amish eat cheese? ›

    Dairy is also an integral part of the Amish diet, with items like milk and cheese being common. Homegrown produce is often a staple and features vegetables such as corn, beets, peas, and more.

    Do Amish eat fried chicken? ›

    "When I visited Amish country in Penn. I fell in love with the Fried Chicken they made. Here is one of their recipes. Very tasty!"

    What foods do Amish not eat? ›

    The Amish Have No Dietary Restrictions

    Having no dietary restrictions means they can eat whatever their heart desires. While many Amish stick to a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch diet, we've seen Amish dine at Olive Garden and take their buggies through the Burger King drive thru line.

    Do Amish eat potatoes? ›

    Traditional Amish food includes dishes like tasty roasted chicken, creamy mashed potatoes & gravy, seasoned vegetables, fresh bread, and homemade jam. The Amish are also known for excellent baked goods, especially pies, cookies, breads, cakes, and fry pies.

    Can Amish eat pizza? ›

    According to the Amish 365 website, pizza is a favorite for Amish families. “The Amish have had a long love affair with pizza,” the site, which focuses on Amish and Mennonite recipes and culture, states.

    Do the Amish breast feed? ›

    After giving birth, Amish mothers breastfeed their babies for as long as possible. It's believed that this helps strengthen the bond between mother and child, which is important in this close-knit culture. It also gives them the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy.

    What do Amish drink? ›

    An Amish meal is usually served with water to drink. If you're from a different culture you may be used to having a variety of things to drink with your meal from ice tea to milk to coffee. Its water for the Amish. But don't forget to have a cup of coffee after dessert while you sit around to chat.

    Do Amish drink caffeine? ›

    Conclusion. So the Amish do indeed drink coffee, and it's an important part of their culture. Coffee is as Amish as horse and buggies and wicker basket weaving.

    Do Amish like spicy food? ›

    While you might like to add a dash of cinnamon to bread or a sprinkle of cocoa to cookies, the Amish are known to use hot peppers to add spice to their foods. Adding a bit of hot pepper can make any boring dish exciting. A common example is hot pepper butter, which adds a thrill to even the most basic bread loaves.

    What is a typical Amish lunch? ›

    Amish main meals are usually built around hearty meat dishes, such as pork chops, ham, roast beef, or meatloaf. Dairy products, especially eggs and cheese, are also important dietary staples. The Amish are known throughout the country for the quality of the cheese they produce and market.

    What are old order Amish traditions? ›

    The Amish believe in a conservative interpretation of the Bible, remaining separated from the perceived sin and decadence of “the outside world.” In line with these beliefs, most Amish rely on horse drawn buggies for transportation, dress in plain clothes, and do not use modern technology (Hostetler, 1993).

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