Spaetzle Recipe

Spaetzle (sometimes spelled Spätzle) is a beloved German side dish that falls somewhere between tender egg noodles and tiny dumplings. Growing up in the German community of Cincinnati and already having some of my family’s treasured German family recipes, I had heard of spaetzle but never tried it.

Then, in university, my roommate Susanne shared her family Spaetzle recipe with me. Since then, these chewy little noodles have become a staple in my kitchen. It’s comfort food that connects me to my German roots and to those cozy family dinners we all crave. German or not, you’re going to love it!

Looking for the perfect accompaniment for the spaetzle? Try this German red cabbage recipe. It’s packed with flavor and the tanginess balances beautifully with the noodles.

Spaetzle – German Egg Noodles/Dumplings

You can find Spaetzle makers online or if you have a local German shop in your town like we do, they almost always carry them. If not, they could certainly order one in for you.

If you don’t have one, you can simply press the dough through the holes of a colander into the boiling water instead. It’s not a perfect method and you need to have some patience for this method, so if you’re going to make them often, I would invest in an actual Spaetzle maker instead.  

Another option that I have used in a pinch was a potato ricer. Again, it’s not perfect but I found this much easier than the colander method. The holes are a bit smaller than that of an actual Spaetzle maker but it worked for me until I was about to buy the real thing.

Finally, back in the day prior to the invention of the Spaetzle maker, cooks would place the dough on a wooden board, hold it over a pot of boiling water, and slice thin strips of the dough directly into the pot. This required a little bit too much coordination for me, but I’m sure it would work just fine for some people.

Love German food? Check out my family’s German potato salad recipe, handed down for generations!

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Okay on to the homemade Spaetzle recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Authentic German flavor made with simple pantry staples.
• Quick prep and ready in under 30 minutes.
• Versatile side dish that pairs with schnitzel, roasts, or gravy.
• A family-friendly recipe that even picky eaters enjoy.
• A meaningful way to connect with German heritage and tradition.

Ingredients You Need for Making Homemade Spaetzle:

• 4 eggs
• 1 T. pepper (yes, really! That quantity is correct).
• 1/2 cup water, cold (important!)
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 T. water, cold

Step by Step Instructions for Perfect German Spaetzle: 

• Beat the eggs. 
• Stir in the pepper. 
• Add the 1/2 cup water and then the flour.  Beat this mixture until smooth. 
• Add the 1 T. water and stir. 
• If using a Spaetzle maker or potato ricer, fill it about 3/4 full and press the dough into boiling water. 
• It only takes a couple minutes for them to cook – when they float to the top of the water, they are ready. 
• Drain and serve!

Homemade spaetzle is simple, satisfying, and endlessly versatile. Whether you pair it with schnitzel, toss it with butter and herbs, or serve it alongside a hearty stew, it’s the kind of recipe that brings warmth and tradition to the table.

FAQs about Spaetzle

If you loved this authentic German spaetzle, be sure to save it to Pinterest and share it with friends. And if you try it at home, leave me a comment—I’d love to hear how you enjoyed this classic dish!

More German Oktoberfest Recipes

• German Lentil Soup from Art of Natural LIving
• German Spiced Spatchcocked Chicken from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Hot German Potato Salad from That Recipe

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