5 Ingredient Spaetzle Recipe (2024)

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ByKimberly

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A homemade spaetzle recipe based on a Grandmother’s recipe that was handed down through two generations of children. It’s perfect for Chicken Paprikash!

John grew up eating Hungarian and German dishes. His Grandma Betty often cooked large family meals consisting of bean soup, chicken paprikash, stuffed cabbage, and of course, her own spaetzle recipe.

As an adult, he tried to recreate some of his favorites but never could make them the same.After I had become more skilled in the kitchen, I decided to try my luck at some of John’s favorites.

I remember looking through several recipes on the internet and comparing them with Grandma Betty’s notes and recipes. All in all, things were similar, but it seemed John was not following the directions properly.

He’s an efficient cook, but that can lead to mistakes. Over the last few years, he’s learned to slow down and all of recipes have improved as result.

Enough about all that, how about we get to the reason you’re here; the easy spaetzle recipe!

How to Make Spaetzle:

First, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. I like to add a tablespoon of salt to mine for flavor.

Next, while youwait for the water to boil, make the batter. In a medium bowl, combine flour, eggs, milk, salt, and nutmeg. The mixture will be very sticky.

How to Cook Spaetzle:

After that, place the spaetzle maker over the pot of boiling water. Carefully fill the open compartment on the top with a few spoons of batter, but don’t overfill the pot.

Then, slowly push the chamber back and forth across the grate to press the mixture into the holes.As the mixture falls into the boiling water, it will sink.

Once the batter floats to the top of the water, it is cooked. It will appear puffy and larger in size. This process takes less than 30 seconds.

Afterward, remove the spaetzle maker from the pot and using a slotted spoon, scoop the cooked spaetzle out of the water.

Last, place cooked spaetzle in a large bowl. Repeat the process until batter is gone. After all the spaetzle is cooked, toss with butter.

That’s it! You have a simple, easy to make, comfort food. It can be eaten alone, with chicken, beef, or even as a side for a hearty beer and brats dinner.

Chicken paprikash was the first recipe of Grandma Betty’s that I attempted to make.

To my amazement, John and Kale both loved it. It’s one of their favorite recipes using spaetzle noodles.

Homemade Spaetzle Tips:

  • If you don’t have a spaetzle maker, you can use the back side of a cheese grater and push the batter through with a wooden spoon. This method tends to take a little longer and is a bit messier but is still effective. That’s how John’s Grandmother made it for him.
  • I’ve since purchased a Danesco Stainless Steel Spaetzle Maker. Now I can make an entire batch of these awesome little dumplings in less than 15 minutes and with minimal mess.
  • You can toss the spaetzle with margarine or another butter replacement for that extra kick of flavor.

If you like this spaetzle recipe, please leave us a comment and rate the recipe card. You can also find us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram searching for Berly’s Kitchen!

5 Ingredient Spaetzle Recipe (6)

Spaetzle Recipe

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Author: Kimberly

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 Servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • cup milk
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl until well combined. The batter will be very sticky.

    2 cups all-purpose flour

    4 large eggs

    ⅓ cup milk

    1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt

    ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • Using a spaetzle maker, slowly drop batter into a pot of boiling water.

  • The mixture will initially sink to the bottom, but when it floats it is thoroughly cooked.

  • Using a slotted spoon, remove the cooked spaetzle from the pot.

  • Place cooked spaetzle in a large bowl.

  • Repeat process until all the batter is used.

  • Add butter to taste to the cooked spaetzle.

  • Enjoy!

Suggested Equipment

Nutrition

Serving: 0.75cup | Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 629mg | Potassium: 106mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 180IU | Vitamin C: 0.002mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2mg

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5 Ingredient Spaetzle Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What do Germans eat with spaetzle? ›

Spaetzle—also spelled spätzle—originates from Swabia, a region of southwest Germany, and served with hearty dishes like schnitzel and goulash.

What is the best flour for spaetzle? ›

wheat flour. Type 405 wheat flour is probably the most widely used today for spätzle. Type 405 indicates how high the degree of milling and the content of minerals such as magnesium or potassium.

What to put on top of spaetzle? ›

I've served the dumplings plain with melted butter and chopped chives. I've crisped them in a pan of brown butter and almonds. I've topped them with hearty beef stew. But layered with cheese and caramelized onions is still my favorite variation.

How to make spaetzle without a spaetzle maker? ›

If you don't have a spaetzle maker, the batter can be pressed through the holes of a colander with a spatula (just make sure to lift the colander above the boiling water so it doesn't get clogged with cooked dough). I've heard a potato ricer works well, too.

What does spaetzle mean in German? ›

German Spätzle, from German dialect, diminutive of Spatz sparrow, dumpling.

What are the 3 most popular foods in Germany? ›

Of all these regional and national dishes, Germany is most famous for Currywurst, sausages, pretzels and Black Forest Gateau, but as you can see, there is plenty more to German cuisine than just these.

How far ahead can you make spaetzle? ›

Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:

To Make Ahead: Cooked German Spaetzle reheats very well and will keep for several days, stored in a container in the refrigerator. To Freeze: Homemade spaetzle freezes well for 3 or 4 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rewarming.

How is spaetzle different from pasta? ›

Usually when you make pasta, you form a dense dough from flour and eggs, which you knead, rest, roll, and cut until your arms feel like they're on the verge of falling off. To make spaetzle, you just mix flour, egg, and a bit of milk into a pancake batter-like consistency.

What is the nickname for spaetzle? ›

Spätzle is the Swabian and Alsacian diminutive of Spatz, thus literally "little sparrow". They are also known as Knöpfle (diminutive of button). In Switzerland they are called Spätzli or Chnöpfli, in Hungarian Nokedli or Csipetke, in Slovenian Vaseršpacli or vodni žličniki and in Ladin Fierfuli.

How thick should spaetzle batter be? ›

The batter should be of medium viscosity, not too thick nor too thin. It should have a fair amount of elasticity and a few bubbles. Allow the flour mixture to sit for 20 minutes before boiling. To cook the spaetzle, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.

How long does spaetzle keep in the fridge? ›

Yield: This Spaetzle recipe makes six hearty side dish servings of about 1 cup each. Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Make ahead: Complete steps 1 through 7 up to 3 days ahead. Refrigerate in an airtight container until you're ready to proceed with step 8.

What wine goes best with spaetzle? ›

A dry German Riesling would be an excellent choice for pairing with Käsespätzle. This wine, made from the Riesling grape, is known for its high acidity and crisp, citrusy flavors, which can cut through the richness of the cheese and provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy texture of the dish.

Can you make spaetzle with a box grater? ›

There are several approaches to this. Some people like to make a thick dough and grate it through the holes of a cheese grater. But if you keep the spaetzle mix as runny as cake batter, you'll be able to push it through a spaetzle maker (or colander) into a pot of boiling water fairly quickly.

Why is my spaetzle soggy? ›

Don't let them sit in the water for too long or they'll become soggy. Then add a little butter to a large pan and brown and reheat the Spaetzle before adding it to your serving dish.

Is spaetzle the same as gnocchi? ›

What is the difference between gnocchi and spaetzle? The main difference between gnocchi and spaetzle is that gnocchi are made from potatoes while spaetzle noodles are made from flour, originally spelt flour. Gnocchi are also typically much larger than spaetzle, which are fairly small.

Do Germans eat schnitzel with noodles? ›

In the warm months, schnitzel served with a squeeze of lemon and sprinkled with parsley would go well with kartoffelsalat which is potato salad or gurkensalat which is a cucumber salad and in the cold months, schnitzel is delicious served with a hearty mushroom cream sauce and kartoffel which are potatoes or spätzle ...

Is spaetzle popular in Germany? ›

Spätzle are loved in Germany and are part of its identity and cooking-culture. Although Spätzle are served and enjoyed throughout Germany, they are considered a specialty of the Swabian (Schwaben) region.

What is a traditional German snack? ›

Bavarian Pretzels. Pizza Toast. Knödel Wurst (Knackwurst in Dumpling Dough) Kumpir with Sauerkraut Filling and Pumpernickel Crumble. Flammkuchen with Seasonal Vegetables.

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