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

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 should the consistency of spaetzle batter be? ›

The consistency of the batter should be pourable but not super runny (it should drop off a spatula or spoon in thick ribbons). Bring a pot of lightly salted water or broth (about 2 to 3 quarts total) to a boil. Press the batter through a spaetzle maker in batches (see notes for alternate methods).

How to make spaetzle without a maker? ›

All you need is a metal kitchen device with holes in it. A colander or cheese grater plane will work great. Just hold the device over a pot of boiling water and pour your batter through. Sometimes it helps to use the back of a spoon or ladle to help push the batter through the holes.

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.

Which flour gives the best texture for pasta? ›

Durum Flour

Its strength means you can use it for shaped pastas, like orecchiette, as well as extruded pasta, such as spaghetti. When cooked, pasta made with durum flour retains a toothsome al dente quality; the flour also imparts a lovely pale-yellow hue.

Why are my spaetzle tough? ›

If you mix the batter too little it does have a similar consistency to dumplings. If you mix the batter sufficiently and to the right consistency the end product will be “rubbery”. Spaetzle is meant to have a somewhat rubbery consistency once cooked, not soft and squishy.

How to know when spaetzle is done? ›

Press batter through a spaetzle maker, a large holed sieve or colander into the simmering water. Work in batches, after using about 1/3 of the batter stop adding new spaetzle and let them cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until they float to the top.

How to keep spaetzle from sticking together? ›

Add a tablespoon of butter to bowl of cooked spaetzle to keep it from sticking while cooking remainder. The gluten free spaetzle will hold much more water, so tossing it in a colander in the sink can help get rid of some of the extra liquid. Serve immediately.

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 English name for spaetzle? ›

Spätzle is the Swabian and Alsacian diminutive of Spatz, thus literally 'little sparrow'. They are also known as Knöpfle (diminutive of button).

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.

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 is spätzle in German? ›

Spätzle is a German egg noodle pasta with a chewy, dumpling-like texture. The short noodles are usually irregularly shaped and made from a batter of eggs mixed with flour and milk or water.

Which flour to use for what? ›

The answer to 'which flour should I use? ' is simple: Choose low protein flour for cakes, cookies, muffins etc. and use high protein flour for bread.

What is the best flour for crispy dough? ›

Bread Flour

It's easy to find in any grocery store (again, King Arthur Flour is a favorite brand), is affordable, and adds some extra oomph and crispiness to thin crust and New York-style pizzas. It will make your crust crispy on the outside and chewy and textured on the inside.

Which is better pecan flour or almond flour? ›

"We have found that certain nut flours work better in different baked goods," Rassi says. For example, almond flour has a rich, nutty flavor that works well in pancakes, breads, meatballs, burgers, and even breading for chicken or fish. Pecan flour has a maple flavor that is ideal for muffins, cookies, and streusel.

What kind of flour do you use for egg pasta? ›

White Flour Is Best for Egg Pasta Dough

Italians make fresh pasta using a particular type of lower-protein white flour called doppio zero, or 00 flour, with a talcum powder–like grind. Its protein content is similar to that of all-purpose flour, but the proprietary blend of wheat makes a difference.

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