Golden Fried Cheddar Potato Pierogi with Bacon and Caramelised Onion

how to make pierogi from scratch

If you love dumplings in any form, then pierogi are going to steal your heart. Pierogi are filled dumplings that originate from Poland and are traditionally boiled before sometimes being pan-fried for a crispy finish. They are often served with toppings like fried onion, crispy bacon and butter.

This homemade version includes a tender Greek yogurt dough, a creamy potato and cheddar filling, and a buttery finish with caramelised onions and crisp bacon. They are cosy, indulgent and surprisingly simple to make.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The dough uses Greek yogurt and egg, making it soft and easy to shape.

The pierogi are boiled then pan-fried for the perfect texture.

Freezer-friendly — great for meal prep.

A guaranteed crowd-pleaser and comfort-food classic.

Use Up Leftover Pantry Ingredients

If you’ve ever wondered what to do with leftover rice bubbles, extra Maltesers, or those last pieces of chocolate from Easter, this recipe has your name on it.

It’s a one‑bowl, no‑bake dessert with marshmallows and puffed rice — just melt, mix, and chill. Ideal if you’re searching for:

This slice is great for:

Leftover rice bubbles from breakfast boxes

Random chocolates from the pantry or gift hampers

Leftover marshmallows from s’mores night

best pierogi dough recipe with yogurt and egg

Ingredients You’ll Need

FOR THE DOUGH

250 g plain flour

1 teaspoon fine salt

240 g full-fat Greek yogurt

1 large egg

FOR THE FILLING

600 g floury potatoes, peeled and chopped

100 g sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional: 2–3 tablespoons milk or sour cream

FOR THE TOPPING

100 g bacon, finely chopped

1 large onion, thinly sliced

40 g salted butter

2 tbsp yoghurt or sour cream

Optional: chopped chives and extra cheddar to serve

METHOD

Make the dough

Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl.
Add the yogurt and egg and mix until a rough dough forms.
Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 2–3 minutes until smooth.
Cover and rest for 20 minutes to relax the gluten.

Make the filling

Boil potatoes in salted water until tender.
Drain well and mash until smooth.
Stir through the grated cheddar and season with salt and pepper.
Allow to cool completely before filling.

Shape the pierogi

Divide the rested dough into 2–3 portions to make it easier to roll.
Roll one portion at a time to about 3 mm thickness.
Cut into 7.5 cm circles.
Place 2 teaspoons of potato filling in the centre of each circle.
Lightly moisten the edge with water, then fold and seal, pressing out any air.

At this stage, the pierogi can be frozen on a tray and cooked later.

Cook the pierogi

Bring a pot of salted water to a gentle boil.
Add the pierogi in batches and cook for 2–3 minutes or until they float.
Remove with a slotted spoon and drain well.

Crisp and finish

Cook the bacon in a large frying pan until crispy. Remove and set aside.
Add the onions to the rendered fat and cook until deeply caramelised (8–12 minutes).
Remove onions and wipe pan if needed.
Add the butter to the pan, then fry the boiled pierogi for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and crisp.

Serve

Serve hot topped with bacon, fried onions, chopped chives, a dollop of yoghurt and extra cheddar if desired.

Polish dumplings

Storage and Reheating

Uncooked pierogi can be frozen for up to three months and boiled straight from frozen with a longer cook time. Cooked pierogi can be kept in the fridge for up to three days and reheated in a pan with a little butter.

FAQ: All About Pierogi

What are pierogi?

Pierogi are dumplings from Poland made of unleavened dough filled with sweet or savoury ingredients before boiling and optionally pan-frying.

How are pierogi traditionally served?

They are often topped with fried onions, bacon, sour cream or melted butter.

What fillings are traditional?

Classic options include potato and cheese, sauerkraut, mushrooms, meat, or fruit for sweet versions.

Where do pierogi come from?

Pierogi are strongly connected to Polish cuisine and have been documented since at least the 17th century.

Can I freeze pierogi?

Yes. Freeze shaped pierogi on a tray, then store in a bag for up to three months. Cook from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to boiling time.

Why boil and then fry pierogi?

Boiling cooks the dough through, while pan-frying helps create a golden, crispy exterior.

boil and fry pierogi

Tips for Perfect Slices

Chill before slicing — and use a hot knife for clean edges.

Use dark chocolate on top if you want it less sweet.

Drizzle the white chocolate just before topping with Maltesers so they stick well.

Press the mixture firmly so it holds together once chilled.

Use dark chocolate if you prefer it less sweet.

Add a pinch of sea salt flakes for balance.

For extra chew, mix in a handful of mini marshmallows before pressing into the tin.

Did you search for…

“what to do with leftover rice bubbles”“easy Malteser slice”, or “no‑bake chocolate marshmallow slice”?

You’re in exactly the right place — and your fridge is about to get a lot happier.

how to make pierogi from scratch

Golden Fried Cheddar Potato Pierogi with Bacon and Caramelised Onion

Tender Greek-yogurt pierogi dough wrapped around a creamy potato and cheddar filling, boiled, then fried in butter and finished with crispy bacon and caramelised onion. Serves 6–8. Freezer-friendly.
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: Polish

Ingredients
  

Dough
  • 250 g plain flour
  • 1 teaspoon fine salt
  • 240 g full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 1 large egg
Filling
  • 600 g floury potatoes peeled and chopped
  • 100 g sharp cheddar cheese grated
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons milk or sour cream optional
Topping
  • 100 g bacon finely chopped
  • 1 large onion thinly sliced
  • 40 g salted butter
  • Chives yoghurt and extra cheddar to serve, optional

Method
 

  1. Make the dough. Combine the flour and salt in a bowl. Add the yogurt and egg and mix until a rough dough forms. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth. Cover and rest for 20 minutes.
  2. Make the filling. Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain well and mash until smooth. Stir in the cheddar and season with salt and pepper. Let cool completely.
  3. Roll and fill. Divide the dough into two or three portions. Roll to about 3 mm thickness and cut 7.5 cm rounds. Place 2 teaspoons of filling in the centre, moisten the edge with water, fold into a half-moon and press to seal, pushing out any air.
  4. Boil. Bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle boil. Cook the pierogi in batches for 2 to 3 minutes or until they float. Lift out with a slotted spoon and drain well.
  5. Bacon and onions. Cook the bacon in a large frying pan until crisp; remove. Add the onion to the rendered fat and cook over medium-low heat until deeply caramelised, 8 to 12 minutes; remove.
  6. Fry and finish. Add the butter to the pan, then fry the boiled pierogi for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Return the bacon and onions to the pan and toss gently.
  7. Serve. Top with chives and extra cheddar if desired.
  8. Notes

Notes

Dough texture: If it feels sticky, dust in a little extra flour. If it feels stiff or crumbly, add a teaspoon or two of yogurt. Aim for soft, smooth and slightly tacky.
Freezer tip: Freeze shaped, uncooked pierogi on a tray, then bag for up to 3 months. Boil from frozen, adding 1 minute.
Reheat: Chill cooked pierogi up to 3 days and re-crisp in a pan with butter.

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Mon Mack Food is my little space to share my passion for food. It is also a place to document the recipes I’ve created while cooking for friends and family! While it is now just a hobby, my absolute dream is to build this project into something I can one day call my job 🙂

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