20 Oktoberfest Food Ideas
Easy Oktoberfest food ideas to help you plan a fun celebration with your family and friends this fall. If you can't get to Germany, enjoy the next best thing: traditional German recipes made right at home including pretzels, sausages, and the best sauerbraten with spaetzle ever!
While I've been blessed enough to visit Germany in person twice in my life, both times I missed the chance to celebrate Oktoberfest in Munich.
The next best thing is to plan a night to make some of my favorite German recipes right at home for my family to enjoy.
Last year we had our very own Oktoberfest dinner party on a Sunday night in Oktober, just because. It was so much fun, I think we'll be making it an annual tradition!
So I suggest you invite some friends, bake some pretzels, and enjoy a little Oktoberfest party fun right in your own back yard.
Oktoberfest Music for the Party
Be sure to get in the mood for your Oktoberfest dinner party with a little musical ambiance:
Oktoberfest Appetizers
Hosting an Oktoberfest party can be just as easy as serving some German beer and yummy munchies.
Grab yourself a traditional Hofbrauhaus glass boot, fill it with your favorite German lager, and serve up these easy and delicious Oktoberfest appetizers.
German Pretzels
Bake a big batch of these easy soft baked pretzels, they are just the right size for a true Oktoberfest party.
You can even hang them on lanyards for your friends to wear around their neck while they nibble.
Seasoned Pretzels
If you're looking for an easier way to incorporate pretzels without needing to roll them by hand, you'll love my easy seasoned pretzels recipe. There are 16 different flavor combos to choose from!
Raspberry Mustard
Set up a mustard sampling station for everyone to dunk their pretzels in. Just head to the store and get a few different bottles of mustard. You'll also want to make my favorite raspberry mustard dip for the buffet.
Oktoberfest Menu
If you want to serve a heartier meal for your Oktoberfest party, you'll find that traditional German foods are so cozy and delicious.
Simple roasted sausages and potatoes would be an obvious choice but don't miss my favorite German sauerbraten with side dishes.
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Roasted Sausages
Pile up these roasted sausages next to platters of roasted potatoes and apples with the jars of mustard and pretzels. This is such a perfect Oktoberfest dinner idea.
German Sauerbraten
This tender and flavorful German sauerbraten marinates for up to two weeks which makes it the perfect make ahead dinner idea! All the fussy work is done in advance and then you just pop it into the oven or slowcooker.
German Spaetzle
If you've never made buttered spaetzle before, my easy recipe will walk you through each step and explain how to get the perfect chewy dumpling noodles.
You can serve them as a side dish or enjoy them like I did in Switzerland, as an entree with melted Swiss cheese over the top!
Potato Pancakes with Applesauce
Any excuse to eat my make ahead potato latkes (or potato pancakes) is a good one in my opinion. Be sure to serve it up with homemade microwave applesauce and sour cream with fresh chives.
German Red Cabbage
You can make my German red cabbage in advance and get the work out of the way. Then just warm it through before serving as an easy side dish.
Fried Cabbage with Caraway Seeds
My dad and I both love this fried cabbage with caraway seeds because the edges get so nice and crispy in the melted butter. Serve this with your favorite pork recipe any time during fall, it's a must-try.
Cabbage Soup
Whether you serve it as a first course or as a side dish or as a cozy entree, this sweet and sour cabbage soup is definitely an Oktoberfest must have. Why not enjoy it along with those homemade pretzels instead of a dinner roll?
German Desserts
Oktoberfest parties are much more about the beer and sausages than they are dessert, but I think there are some incredible German desserts to be had.
Since making a homemade apple strudel might take a bit of time, I recommend you stick with my easier apple desserts.
Apple Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream
This freezer friendly apple crisp can be made ahead and then just baked before serving. Don't forget a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!
Apple Crisp Bars
Want a single-serving style dessert bar for your treat? How about my easy apple crisp bars instead? They have a delicious secret ingredient -- butterscotch chips. YUM.
Apple Crumble Bars
If you prefer a buttery, flaky crust to your apple desserts, you should definitely try these easy apple crumble bars. They are so good just on their own, but even better with a drizzle of salted caramel sauce over the top.
Apple Cake with Browned Butter Frosting
If you want to make a classic German apple kuchen, you could try my fresh apple cake. I love the brown butter frosting it has with chopped pecans on top, but you could also serve it plain with a drizzle of honey if you prefer.
More Fall Party Inspiration
There are so many fun ways to celebrate with your family and friends this fall.
Invite everyone over for some football party food and to watch the game together.
Get the best family-friendly Halloween ideas or all the Thanksgiving recipes you need for the feast.
Or keep it casual and start up a monthly book club dinner with your book worm friends.
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