Oktoberfest Homemade Treats

Potato pancakes are a classic German side dish and a real treat during Oktoberfest. Fry them fresh for the crispiest results and serve with applesauce and sour cream.

An Oktoberfest celebration wouldn't be complete without laugenbrezeln (or simply brezen), also known as soft pretzels. Soft on the inside with a lightly crispy exterior, the salty snack pairs perfectly with beer.

Schweinebraten, or roasted pork, is traditionally cooked with beer an onions. This version is equally delicious and goes perfectly with sauerkraut, potato salad, and all of the other traditional fixings.

Mushrooms with a savory garlic sauce are a delicious side dish or topping for roasts, bratwursts, and more. Any mushrooms will do, and a mix of foraged mushrooms is especially nice.

Cook up some German sausages like bratwursts with onions and beer for an easy but delicious main dish. Add apples for extra seasonal flavor. Serve your sausages with plenty of sauerkraut and whole-grain mustard.

Plan ahead for your Oktoberfest celebration and make your own sauerkraut. You can adjust the flavors and let it reach your preferred level of tartness. Serve alongside any German main dish like pork, sausages, or roast chicken.

Spit-roasted chicken is another traditional Bavarian food that's popular during gatherings like Oktoberfest. If you don't have a rotisserie, a roast chicken is almost just as delicious.

Homemade spätzle (a traditional egg noddle) are easier to make than you might think, and the taste and texture are superior to store-bought varieties. A classic Gruyère cheese sauce makes käsespätzle extra special.

This German potato salad is studded with bacon, onion, bell pepper, and egg, and is tossed in a tangy vinegar dressing. It pairs perfectly with the hearty meat dishes served at Oktoberfest.

Schweinshaxe is a traditional Bavarian dish of slow-roasted ham hock and root vegetables. A creamy gravy is made from the pan drippings, sour cream, and white wine.

Obatzda, a German cheese spread made of funky soft cheeses, butter, and spices, is delicious smeared onto bread, sausage, pickles, and fresh radishes. Serve it as part of a spread.

The Germans are potato masters, and these potato noodles are a perfect example. They're a lovely use for leftover mashed potatoes, but also worth boiling a few spuds. Brown in a pan of butter and serve warm.

For an extra special celebration, make your very own German pickles. This flavorful snack can be made as late as the day before, but the flavors will be better if you prep them a week or two beforehand.

End your Oktoberfest feast with a classic apple strudel. With cinnamon, raisins, and lemon, it's especially good with a scoop of ice cream.

A popular dessert from the Black Forest region in Germany, this elegant chocolate and cherry cake is sure to be a hit. The richness of the cake and cherry filling is complemented by a light and airy whipped cream frosting.