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The Recipe · No.293 · Pierogi

Pierogi, and where to source it

Pierogi — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Pierogi Polish 5best2buy.com

A pierogi is dough plus filling, so both need to be right: a soft, rollable dough and a filling seasoned harder than you think it needs. Boil them just until they float, then finish in butter with onions for the browned edges that make them.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep45 min
Cook20 min
Makes6 servings
CuisinePolish
Cost$
Vegetarian
Contains  dairy · eggs · gluten
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 6 servings
Flour
All-purpose makes a soft, elastic dough; a warm egg dough rolls thin without tearing.
3 cups
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Farmer cheese
Dry curd farmer cheese is the classic; it keeps the filling tangy, not gluey.
1 cup
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Potatoes
Riced russets keep the filling light instead of pasty.
1.5 lb
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Butter
Both in the dough and to fry the boiled dumplings brown at the end.
6 tbsp
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Onion
Fried soft, half goes in the filling and half over the top.
2
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Egg
Binds the dough and helps seal the edges.
1
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The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Getting greedy
Rich enough that Mom might raise an eyebrow.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Air fryer
The Method
  1. Make doughKnead flour, egg, warm water, and butter into a soft dough; rest covered 30 minutes.
  2. FillRoll thin, cut rounds, and fill with the mashed potato-cheese-onion mix; seal edges tight with no air pockets.
  3. BoilBoil in batches; they are done about a minute after they float, roughly 3 minutes total.
  4. FryFinish the boiled pierogi in butter with onions until the edges brown and crisp.
The Toolkit

Rolling pin · Round cutter · Potato ricer · Large pot · Slotted spoon

Straight Answers
Can you make Pierogi in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — this is exactly what an air fryer does well. Work in a single layer so the air can move, and shake or flip halfway for even crisping. It runs a touch faster than the oven, so check early.

Can you freeze Pierogi? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Pierogi ahead of time? — Prep ahead

Best fried to order — the crunch fades if it sits. Do the breading or shaping ahead and cook it fresh when you serve.

Is Pierogi gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

Is Pierogi vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy and egg. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.293

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