Frozen pierogies are a great way to make dinner quickly. They can be cooked in different ways, depending on your preferences and what you have available. Let’s take a look at the best ways to cook frozen pierogies!
The following blog post will teach you how to cook frozen pierogies with ease. You may choose from five different methods that are all simple and tasty!
What are pierogies
Pierogies are a classic staple in Polish cuisine, and they’re incredibly versatile. They can be fried, boiled, steamed or baked and you can fill them with pretty much anything your heart desires – cheese, meats of all kinds (even vegan ones), fruit jams and more! The possibilities are endless.
Pierogies are like the Polish version of a dumpling, a little pocket of unleavened dough filled with something tasty and then cooked.
You can find fresh pierogies made from scratch at the moment of eating or you can find frozen pierogies sold at gourmet stores. I love frozen pierogies because they last for a really long time in the freezer and make a quick and delicious dinner in no time they also give them same sense of homemade pierogies you would get from the fresh ones without any extra time involved
If you want to cook frozen pierogies for dinner tonight, there are 5 ways that will work perfectly: boiling them on the stove, baking them, cooking them in the microwave, air frying them (air fryer pierogies anyone?) or frying with butter until crispy and golden brown. You can also deep fry them but I prefer the pan fry and air fry methods, they require little oil and less time
While all 5 methods produce a different result all ways are incredibly delicious!
How to cook frozen pierogies
Boil the pierogies in water for 6-8 minutes
This is one of the most traditional methods in this list and it’s definitely an easy way of cooking them.
To cook pierogies this way you want to start with a large pot of water and place over high heat. For a package of 16 pierogies I like to boil 2 1/2 quarts of water. You want them to have enough space to float around and cook evenly.
Once the water is boiling add the frozen pierogies and wait until they are floating. Once they are floating cook for 1 minute and with the help of a slotted spoon remove from the water and set aside.
I like to pat fry them with a paper towel before moving on with any of the next steps.
Bake pierogies in an oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes
The healthier route and the best if you are cooking large batches of pierogies to feed a crowd. Once the pierogies are boiled (following the instructions on the step above) preheat your oven or convection oven to 350 degrees.
Grease a baking sheet and place your pierogies on top in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat evenly with the oil. Then just bake fro around 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Fry them on a pan with butter or oil until they are crispy and golden brown
This is probably the all around favorite way of cooking pierogies. I usually microwave them first (read the step below for the step by step instructions on that) and after they are hot and tender I fry them on a pan with generous butter.
I prefer to use a good quality cast iron pan or a large skillet to cook them but you can also use a non-stick pan. Add a good dollop of butter (I usually use 2 tablespoon for every 6 pierogies) and heat over medium heat until melted.
Once the butter is melted and bubbly add the pierogies and cook for around 3 minutes per side or until done.
Microwave them on high power for 4-5 minutes, depending on the microwave’s wattage
This is the modern way of cooking a traditional dish.
Just place all your frozen pierogies in a microwave-safe bowl and cover completely with enough water
..Then place in the microwave for 4 minutes and check. Your pierogies should be hot and tender. If not place in the microwave for 1 more minute or until done.
Once they are ready drain the water and move with the sauteeing and frying.
Cook in the air fryer
I love this way of cooking pierogies mainly because I’m totally in love with my air fryer. This method also results in crispier pierogies.
After they are boiled I spray with some good quality olive oil spray and place in the air fryer basket at 350 degrees for around 12 to 15 minutes or until they have a deep golden brown color. Halfway trough the cooking time you want to shake air fryer basket so they cook evenly on all sides.
You can also brush perogies with some melted butter before air frying them if you want a more decadent meal.
FAQs about cooking frozen pierogies
What is the best way to cook frozen pierogies?
The best results come with the boiling and pan fry combo. That’s how you create the traditional buttery and golden brown pierogies we all know and love.
How to keep pierogies warm
My favorite way of keeping them warm is placing in pan and covering with tin foil and into the oven on the lowest temperature setting possible.
How to reheat pierogies
If you have some leftovers you can always heat pierogies with your air fryer. That’s my favorite way of bringing yesterday’s pierogies back to life.
What to serve with pierogies?
I love to serve them with some savory side dishes! They are delicious with:
- Mushrooms and sour cream
- Greek cucumber salad
- Roasted tomatoes
- And obviously with some bacon and onions
- Fried onions
- Pork rinds
Honestly the crisp texture of the pierogy works great with your favorite dipping sauce like a sour cream sauce, some traditional polish topping such as fries onions and pork rinds or with pretty much ny other side you like.
So are you ready to make this delicious comfort food?
If you’re a fan of Polish cuisine, or just looking for an easy meal to make after work, try some pierogies.
Frozen pierogi are available in many grocery stores and can be cooked quickly with these 5 different methods! Whether you want to steam them on the stovetop, fry them up in a pan, bake them in the oven or microwave them until they’re warm and gooey on the inside.
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