Learn how to make gnocchi without egg and they will become your best dinner go-to! Not intimidating to make and very versatile. The perfect pasta to make for someone who is just getting started with Italian cooking.

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How to make gnocchi without egg

I first learnt how to make potato gnocchi from my Italian Mother-in-Law. She’s a great cook even though she rarely admits it! She showed me how simple Italian gnocchi can be and from then on, I wanted to try for myself.

Before this post, I’d made it a handful of times but using egg like I’d been shown. This recipe however, doesn’t contain egg yolk. I’ve made mine the Piedmont way unlike the Veneto way, which has egg added. Apparently adding egg is not the traditional way but if my Italian Mother-in-Law adds it, who am I to argue?

Gnocchi without egg (essentially is vegan gnocchi) is really, very simple. Let’s get started…

Why should I make vegan gnocchi?

Learning a new skill
Gnocchi is a versatile dish which will eventually transform your mid-week meals
Simple ingredients
Potato gnocchi are super soft and tasty
Naturally vegan and meat-free!

GNOCCHI INGREDIENTS

Potatoes – Look for a potato with a floury texture like the Russet variety

Plain flour – helps bind the mixture

Ground nutmeg – for flavour!

WHAT EQUIPMENT WILL I NEED?

Potato ricer – so handy for mashing quickly and easily, not just for gnocchi but for mashed potato too!

Peeler – if you intend to peel your potatoes

Small knife

Saucepan

Slotted spoon – great for scooping out the gnocchi without catching the water too

INGREDIENT ALTERNATIVES

Can I make gnocchi without potato?

Yes, it’s quite normal in Italy to use vegetables like pumpkin and squash as these easily mould into gnocchi. You could also use polenta and ricotta cheese – anything that will easily mould. The Guardian have a great post on how to make the perfect gnocchi (it’s where I found this fact too).

Can I use a different flour for gnocchi?

I can’t see why not. Dancing through Sunday has a recipe for gnocchi using wholemeal flour. I don’t think I’d recommend self-raising though as it seems after doing some research, they all fall apart. Gluten-free flour is fine (see below) as is other whole flours such as spelt, like in Naturally Ella’s recipe for Spelt Gnocchi with Fava Beans and Walnut Sauce. Yum!

The best thing to so is try it and see what happens!

vertical image of pre-cooked gnocchi on a tray

Are gnocchi suitable for vegetarians?

Gnocchi are naturally meat-free, so yes!

Are gnocchi suitable for vegans?

Yes, no meat here.

Are gnocchi gluten free?

This recipe is not gluten-free but you can follow the recipe and use gluten-free flour instead. Or try Gluten-Free Baking’s recipe for gluten-free gnocchi.

Can I reheat gnocchi?

It’s safe to reheat gnocchi. You can reheat by frying in a little oil or oven-baking with some grated cheese for a quick, tasty meal. I wouldn’t recommend using the microwave as the other two options will create much more flavourful results!

Can I freeze gnocchi?

Yes – on a floured tray in a single layer – once frozen, tip into a ziplock freezer bag.

How do you pronounce Gnocchi?

Gnocchi is pronounced NYOK-E

It uses the Italian silent ‘g’ and ‘ch’ is always pronounced like a ‘k’.

Do I have to peel my potatoes?

No, it’s actually better not too. I only peeled mine as they were fresh from the ground and were super dirty. Instead of washing them, I peeled and washed after! I would recommend not peeling them. The peel will end up staying inside the potato ricer anyway, and you’ll get so much more flavour from the peel.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

My favourite way to serve gnocchi is by frying in brown butter and sage. It’s the most authentic way and SO good (recipe coming soon!)

You could also bake your potato gnocchi in a tomato sauce with mozzarella. There are so many different ways to serve gnocci. See below for my collection from fellow food bloggers!

GNOCCHI WITH BROCCOLI AND VEGGIE SAUSAGES

A blue patterned bowl with gnocchi, beans and basil leaves

TOMATO SOUP WITH GNOCCHI AND AUBERGINE CROUTONS

A white bowl full of tomato soup and gnocchi, topped with a basil leaf

SLOW COOKED BEEF WITH GNOCCHI

a white bowl with tomato sauce and gnocchi and bread on the side

EASY BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND CHORIZO GNOCCHI

one serving bowl and two bowls full of butternut squash and gnocchi

PUMPKIN GNOCCHI

A bowl shaped like a cabbage leaf with gnocchi and pumpkin pieces. A pumpkin is also in the background

A TIP FOR MAKING GNOCCHI

Do not overwork the dough or else your gnocchi will become tough
Don’t worry if they are not all even when you cut and roll. I like my gnocchi to look a little rustic!

The Recipe