5 Ingredient Spaetzle Recipe (2024)

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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

4.9 from 8 votes

Print Pin

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

How to make spaetzle without a 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.

How do you know when spaetzle is cooked? ›

Salt the water and reduce the heat to maintain a low rolling boil. Put your Spaetzle maker on top of the pot and add about 1/2 a cup of dough at a time to it and scrape it through the holes so it can fall into the water. Let the Spaetzle cook for about 30 seconds. They are ready when they start floating to the top.

What can you put on 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.

What is spaetzle made of? ›

Spätzle is a type of pasta or dumpling or noodles. Spätzle dough typically consists of few ingredients, principally eggs, flour, and salt.

Can I use a grater to make spaetzle? ›

They're handy and easy to use. That being said, they're a single-use kitchen tool that isn't 100% necessary for making homemade spaetzle. Flat cheese grater: In my opinion, the easiest tool is one you may already have at home: a flat stainless steel cheese grater with large holes (about 1/4 inch).

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. 405 indicates that approximately 405 milligrams of minerals are contained in 100 grams of flour.

How thick should spaetzle batter be? ›

The batter should be somewhat thick but it should still be able to flow slowly. If it's too thick, add a tiny bit more milk until it's just right. If it's too thin, a sprinkle more flour will do the trick!

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.

What should you do after spaetzle has risen to the surface of the boiling water? ›

When the spatzle rise to the surface of the boiling water, give them a gentle stir and cook for about 20 seconds more, then drain briefly in a clean colander before tossing with butter, salt, and pepper. Serve immediately.

What is the English name for spaetzle? ›

Meaning of spaetzle in English

a food, originally from Germany, that is similar to pasta, made with eggs, flour, and milk, and formed into small round or long shapes before being boiled and sometimes fried: Spaetzle may be browned in a little butter before serving.

How long does spaetzle keep in the fridge? ›

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the spaetzle to a colander and then plunge them in a bowl of very cold water. This firms them up to the desired consistency. Toss with olive oil or melted butter to keep from sticking. At this point, spaetzle will keep in the refrigerator 2 to 3 days until ready to serve.

Why is my spaetzle mushy? ›

My Spaetzle are mushy and soggy - There might be too much liquid in your dough. Try adding more flour.

How to keep spaetzle from sticking? ›

Remove spaetzle with a slotted spoon and continue with remaining batter. Add a tablespoon of butter to bowl of cooked spaetzle to keep it from sticking while cooking remainder.

How to know when spaetzle is done? ›

I use 2 eggs and 2 tbs milk for my spaetzle recipe (with the 1 cup of flour and 3/4 tsp salt). And a rolling boil, cooking for 2 - 3 minutes until all of the noodles are floating at the top...

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.

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