It’s that special time of year in Munich, where the city is packed with party goers from all corners of the globe heading for the biggest beer festival in the world. That’s right, the Munich Oktoberfest! 16 days of beer, food, sweets, carnival rides and a lot of fun.
While many people think that the Oktoberfest is only about beer, us locals will tell you that the food at the Wiesn is equally important!
If you’re looking to create the perfect Oktoberfest celebration at home and planning your own Oktoberfest party, check out these traditional recipes below. Of course, be sure to wash them down with plenty of delicious Bavarian beer!
The famous Oktoberfest is not just about drinking beer, it's all about delicious Bavarian and German food as well! In this list you'll find some of the most popular dishes served at the festival, like roast chicken and German potato salad as well as other delicious German and Bavarian treats.
Oktoberfest Roast Chicken 'Wiesnhendl'
Oktoberfest isn’t just about the beer! No meal is more important to Munich’s famous festival than the Oktoberfest Roast Chicken ‘Halbes Hendl’, half a beautifully seasoned, succulent chicken cooked rotisserie style. Roasting the chicken at a low heat for longer ensures perfectly juicy, delicious meat every time.
Bavarian Pretzels
There's nothing quite like a traditional Bavarian pretzel with a golden-brown, salt-studded crust and a chewy, perfect texture. My recipe for homemade pretzels with step-by-step instructions and photos is simple to make at home.
Obatzda (Bavarian Cheese Spread)
Obaztda is a delicious Bavarian Beer and Cheese Spread, perfect for picnics, the beer garden, or for lining your stomach before you start on that litre of beer - and it is super easy to make at home!
Bavarian Potato Salad 'Kartoffelsalat'
At nearly every Bavarian table you will find a big bowl of ‘Kartoffelsalat’ or Bavarian Potato Salad. This beloved side dish is dressed with a hot vinaigrette which means the potatoes to soak up all the delicious dressing. Serve with any Bavarian meal like schnitzel, or Oktoberfest Roast Chicken.
Zigeuner Schnitzel (Paprika Schnitzel)
One of the most popular schnitzel recipes in all of Germany! Zigeuner Schnitzel or Gypsy Schnitzel is a delicious combination of crumbed pork cutlets and a lightly spiced sauce made from tomatoes and fresh peppers.
Bavarian Roast Pork - Krustenbraten
The ultimate Bavarian Sunday roast: Krustenbraten with Dunkelbiersoße. My classic recipe for crispy, juicy Bavarian roast pork with a lip-smackingly good dark beer sauce is always a winner and perfect all year roundr.
Bavarian Pork Schnitzel
Possibly the most famous of all Germanic foods, Bavarian Pork Schnitzel is always a winner. Thinly beaten pork, generously coated in fresh breadcrumbs and fried to golden-brown perfection. Yum!
Real German Sauerbraten
One of the most delicious and traditional ways to serve beef roast, my authentic German Sauerbraten recipe is made from beef that has been marinated in wine, vinegar and spices, then slow-roasted to fork-tender perfection.
Serve with red cabbage and potato dumplings for a proper German feast!
Flammkuchen (German Pizza)
Flammkuchen are deliciously light flatbreads topped with sour cream, onions and bacon. They're super popular at outdoor events and festivals as they are so easy to eat!
Spinach and Ricotta Dumplings
It's not just meat being served in Bavaria! Bright green, pillowy soft Spinach and Ricotta Dumplings or Gnocchi Verdi are a fabulous dish to serve as a vegetarian main.
Gingerbread Hearts 'Lebkuchenherzen'
Anyone who has ever visited the Oktoberfest has seen the many stalls selling Lebkuchenherzen or Gingerbread Hearts.
Ranging in size from tiny to absolutely enormous, these brightly decorated hearts are meant to be hung around the neck of your sweetheart - the bigger the heart, the bigger the love, or so the story goes.
Classic German Apple Strudel
With a tender, flaky crust, crisp apples, and rum-soaked raisins, my easy recipe for homemade apple strudel is sure to become one of your 'favourite things' too!
Possibly the most famous German dessert of all, strudel is perfect for fall baking with orchard fresh apples.
Zwetschgendatschi - Bavarian Plum Tart
Zwetschgendatschi, sometimes known as Plaumenkuchen or Zwetschgenkuchen is a deliciously fruity German plum slice with origins in the Bavarian town of Augsburg. With sweet prune plums on a tender pastry base, topped with cinnamon sugar, this Bavarian speciality is a wonderful late summer treat.
Buchteln (German Sweet Dumplings)
Buchteln or German Sweet Dumplings are pillowy soft rolls made from a buttery yeast dough and filled with fresh fruit or jam. Sometimes known as Rohrnudeln, my Buchteln recipe is a family favourite. Serve these sweet yeast rolls with plenty of vanilla custard sauce. Yum!
Black Forest Cherry Cake
A retro classic, Black Forest Cherry Cake or Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte is as delicious today as ever. A tower of chocolate, cream, cherries… what could be better?
Easy German Apple Cake
My easy German Apple Cake recipe is a tried and tested favourite. Known as Versunkener Apfelkuchen (sunken apple cake) around these parts, this simple cake is ever popular and totally delicious.
Beeramisu (Tiramisu with Dark Beer)
Hold on a minute, beer-a-mi-what? You heard right, a Beeramisu is a traditional Italian Tiramisu with a generous helping of dark and fruity stout or porter beer. Perfect for the beer lovers in your life!
It might sound strange at first, but this light and flavoursome Italian dessert is delicious with beer added.
The Hugo Spritz co*cktail
Wildly popular across Europe, the Hugo Spritz co*cktail is a refreshing mixture of lime, mint, elderflower and sparkling wine. Served over ice in a large wine glass, this is the perfect drink on a sunny day.
