Lithuanian Boiled Flour Dumplings (Miltiniai Ežiukai)

Miltiniai Ežiukai, or Lithuanian flour dumplings, is a humble but heartfelt dish that speaks of tradition, ingenuity, and family love for generations. 🍽️ In Lithuania, this peasant recipe has stood the test of time, passing through kitchens that valued simplicity over sophistication. Made with just flour, salt, oil and water, these spicy little dumplings (shaped like hedgehogs!) are the perfect comfort food - cozy, nostalgic and deeply satisfying.

🇱🇹 What are Miltiniai Ežiukai?

Translated as “flour hedgehogs,” Miltiniai Ežiukai are tiny dumplings made from a basic wheat flour dough, grated and shaped like spicy hedgehogs. They are then boiled until tender and served with sour cream and crispy bacon. Despite their simplicity, they carry the soul of Lithuanian home cooking - hearty, affordable and designed to feed a crowd. Whether served as a main course, side dish or even as a sweet treat with jam, these dumplings prove that you don't need extravagant ingredients to make something truly special. ❤️

📝 Ingredients (only 4 main ones!)

This recipe uses basic ingredients that most housewives already have on hand:

• 1½ cups (190 g) whole wheat flour - use white flour for a better texture.
• ½ teaspoon of salt - table salt, sea salt, or rock salt will do.
• ½ cup (120 ml) boiling water
• 2 tablespoons neutral oil - sunflower, canola, or rapeseed oil is ideal.
• For serving (optional, but highly recommended):
• 2 tablespoons of sour cream
• 100 g of pancetta or diced bacon, fried until crispy

🥣 How to make Lithuanian gnocchi - step by step

1️⃣ Preparing the dough In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and carefully pour in the hot water and oil. Stir with a spoon until the dough begins to stick together, then knead with your hands (or use a stand mixer with a dough hook) until the dough is soft, elastic and smooth - about 5-7 minutes.

Tip: The dough should look like pasta dough - not sticky, but elastic and smooth.

2️⃣ Form ejukai (hedgehogs 🦔) Pinch off grape-sized pieces of dough. Gently roll each one on the inside of a star-shaped grater (or similar textured surface) to create tiny spikes, mimicking the back of a hedgehog. This is a fun step that gives these dumplings a signature look! Place the shaped dumplings on a lightly floured surface or tray as you mold. 3️⃣ Cook the dumplings Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully drop the dumplings in and shake the pot lightly to prevent sticking. Cook over medium heat until the dumplings float to the surface, then continue cooking for another 5 minutes to make sure they are cooked through.

⏱️ Note: Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size of the dumplings.

4️⃣ Serve and enjoy Using a slotted spoon, remove the dumplings from the pan and transfer them to serving plates. Top with

• A generous spoonful of sour cream
• Crispy fried bacon or pancetta slices

Alternatively, you can make a quick sauce by melting a tablespoon of butter with 2 tablespoons of sour cream in the pan where you fried the bacon. Add a tablespoon of water to thin it out if needed - this will give the dumplings a rich flavor. 😋

🍽️ How to serve Miltiniai Ežiukai

These versatile dumplings are traditionally served for lunch or dinner. Here are some delicious ways to enjoy them: With sour cream and crispy bacon (classic! 🥓) With a buttery sour cream sauce and sautéed onions With wild garlic, spinach or herbs for extra nutrition As a side dish instead of pasta, gnocchi or spetzle As a sweet option with sour cream and your favorite jam or berry compote 🍓 ❄️ Storage and freezing tips Miltiniai Ežukai keep well in the freezer and are great for batch cooking. Freeze (before cooking):

1. Place raw dumplings on a floured baking sheet in a single layer.
2. Freeze for 30-60 minutes until firm.
3. Transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 2-3 months.
4. Cook from frozen - no need to defrost!

Store the cooked dumplings:

• Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 48 hours.
• Reheat by frying in butter until golden brown. (This makes them taste even better! 🧈)

❤️ Final thoughts

Miltiniai Ežiukai is more than just dumplings, it's a delicious connection to the past, a reminder of how soothing and flavorful simplicity can be. Whether you're making them for the first time or reliving childhood memories, this traditional Lithuanian dish is sure to warm your heart and fill your belly. Try them and bring a piece of Lithuania to your table! 🇱🇹