30-Minute Homemade German Spätzle
Traditional German egg noodles made with a simple flour, egg, and milk dough that's kneaded until bubbly, then pressed through a spätzle maker into simmering water. These tender, irregular-shaped dumplings have a satisfying chewy texture and mild flavor that pairs beautifully with hearty German dishes like schnitzel, roasts, and rich gravies. The stand mixer method makes the traditionally labor-intensive kneading process much easier while still achieving the proper gluten development needed for authentic spätzle texture.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Combine flour, salt and nutmeg in stand mixer bowl
- 2
Whisk eggs in small bowl, then pour into well made in flour mixture
- 3
Add milk to bowl
- 4
Attach dough hook and knead for 18-20 minutes until bubbles appear
- 5
Bring at least 2 quarts lightly salted water to boil, then reduce to simmer
- 6
Press dough through spätzle maker into simmering water
- 7
Cook for 2-3 minutes until noodles float to top
- 8
Transfer with slotted spoon to colander, then into ice water bath
- 9
Drain and toss with vegetable oil or melted butter
- 10
To serve, melt butter in large skillet and toss spätzle to heat through
Tips
The dough should be kneaded until bubbles form on the surface, indicating proper gluten development for the right texture.
Ice water bath stops cooking immediately and prevents spätzle from becoming mushy.
Store cooked spätzle tossed with oil to prevent sticking together in the refrigerator.
Good to Know
Store in refrigerator for at least a couple days tossed with oil
Can be made completely ahead and reheated in butter when ready to serve
Serve with beef or pork roast, schnitzel, pork chops, or gravy
Common Mistakes
Don't skip the ice water bath to avoid overcooked, mushy spätzle
Knead until bubbles form to ensure proper texture development
Substitutions
FAQ
Can I make spätzle without a spätzle maker?
You can use a colander with large holes or cut small pieces from a cutting board with a knife, though a spätzle maker gives the most authentic irregular shape.
How long can I store cooked spätzle?
Properly stored spätzle keeps in the refrigerator for at least a couple days when tossed with oil to prevent sticking.
What if I don't have a stand mixer?
You can knead by hand for about 10-15 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and bubbles appear, though it requires more effort.