Germany By Food Enthusiasts · 6 min read

National Dish Germany: Herb Spätzle (Recipe)

Buttery herb spätzle scattered with fresh chopped parsley and chives

In this article

Say hello to Herb Spätzle, the herb-flecked cousin of Germany’s beloved egg noodle. These soft, springy little dumplings are folded through with a handful of fresh garden herbs, then tossed in butter until glossy and fragrant. Tender, comforting and endlessly versatile, they make a wonderful side for a hearty roast or a satisfying main in their own right. Bring a taste of southern Germany’s homely kitchens straight to your table.

About Herb Spätzle

Herb Spätzle are a traditional and hearty dish from German cuisine, prized above all for their tender texture and rounded, savoury flavour. At their heart are soft egg spätzle, lifted with a selection of fresh, aromatic herbs. Popular choices such as rosemary, parsley and chives give the noodles an extra layer of flavour that sits beautifully alongside all manner of main courses. Whether served as a side dish or as a main course, Herb Spätzle are a treat for any occasion, and a fine example of homely German cuisine.

Ingredients (serves 1–2)

250 g plain flour
3 eggs
100 ml water
1 teaspoon salt
Fresh herbs (parsley, chives, basil)
Butter or oil, for frying

Shopping for the ingredients

The ingredients for Herb Spätzle should be fresh and of good quality to get the very best flavour. Pop into your local supermarket or a greengrocer to pick out the finest herbs. Where you can, reach for organic produce to intensify the flavour and make the dish a little more wholesome. The egg spätzle themselves can either be made from scratch or bought ready-made, depending on your preferences and how much time you have to hand.

Preparing the dish

Before you start cooking, it pays to prepare the herbs properly. Wash them thoroughly and chop them finely so they spread evenly through the dough. Get your kitchen equipment ready too — a large pan for the water and a bowl for the dough. If you would like to make the spätzle yourself, keep a spätzle press or a spätzle board within reach to shape them in the classic way.

Step-by-step instructions

Tip the flour, eggs, water and salt into a bowl and beat to a smooth dough.
Fold the prepared herbs through the dough until everything is well combined.
Bring a large pan of water to the boil and add a little salt.
Press the dough into the boiling water using a spätzle press or board.
The spätzle are ready once they rise to the surface; lift them out with a slotted spoon.
Heat butter or oil in a frying pan and gently toss the spätzle until coated and glossy.

Gluten-free / lactose-free version

For a gluten-free version of Herb Spätzle, swap the wheat flour for a gluten-free flour blend suited to doughs. Keep an eye on the liquid, as gluten-free flour often behaves quite differently and may need adjusting. For a lactose-free version, simply use plant-based butter or oils in place of ordinary butter. This makes sure that anyone with particular dietary needs can still enjoy this delicious dish.

Tips for vegans and vegetarians

For a vegan version of Herb Spätzle, replace the eggs in the recipe with ground flaxseed mixed with water, or with apple purée. This provides the binding the dough needs. For vegetarians the standard ingredients are perfect as they are, though you can still reach for plant-based alternatives to butter. Enjoy your spätzle with a hearty vegetable or mushroom sauce for a truly rounded flavour, much like the comforting bowl of Swabian Lentils with Spätzle.

More tips and tricks

One important tip is not to over-mix the spätzle dough, as this can spoil the texture of the finished noodles. Experiment with different herbs to discover new flavour combinations. If you want to make the spätzle ahead of time, let them cool briefly after cooking and then keep them in the fridge. Freezing also works well, so you always have a portion of Herb Spätzle ready to go.

Adapting the recipe to your taste

The Herb Spätzle recipe is wonderfully versatile and easy to tailor to your own preferences. Scatter in toasted pine nuts or a little Parmesan, for instance, to bring an even richer note to the dish. Combining several different herbs can also lend an intriguing depth of flavour. Try playing with the proportions of the ingredients to reach your ideal consistency and the taste you are after.

Ingredient substitutions

There are plenty of alternatives for the ingredients in Herb Spätzle. In place of wheat flour you can use cornflour or rice flour to create a gluten-free version. For a lighter result, cut back on the butter and reach for olive oil instead. Dried herbs can stand in for fresh ones, though the quantity should be adjusted, since dried herbs can taste noticeably more intense depending on the variety.

Drink pairing ideas

A range of drinks pairs nicely with Herb Spätzle and complements the flavour of the dish. A crisp white wine such as Riesling, or a light rosé, harmonises perfectly with the herbs. A cold beer is another excellent choice, especially if you are serving a hearty main course alongside. For alcohol-free options, offer a fruity sparkling drink or home-made apple juice to support the flavours on the plate.

Serving and presentation ideas

A thoughtful presentation can lift the whole dining experience considerably. Serve the Herb Spätzle in a deep bowl and garnish with fresh herbs to bring out the colours. Adding toasted nuts can introduce a welcome bit of crunch. Don’t forget to drizzle the spätzle with a little melted butter before serving, to give them a glossy, irresistible finish.

A bit of history

Herb Spätzle have a long tradition in German cuisine and hail above all from the south of the country. Combining spätzle with fresh herbs is a lovely way to highlight regional flavours in your cooking. In many German households spätzle are a firm fixture of the kitchen — close kin to the famous Swabian Onion Roast Beef — and are often served on special occasions. The dish is not only nourishing but also a symbol of cosiness and family togetherness.

More recipe ideas

Summary: Herb Spätzle

Herb Spätzle are a delicious, versatile dish that works just as well as a main course as it does as a side. The pairing of tender spätzle and aromatic herbs is a genuine treat, bringing a piece of German tradition to the table. Whether you fancy a gluten-free, lactose-free or vegan version, there are countless ways to adapt and enjoy the recipe. Give it a go and see for yourself just how satisfying this hearty classic can be.