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How To Make Spaetzle Without Spaetzle Maker

How To Make Spaetzle Without Spaetzle Maker: Full Guide

Last Updated on April 16, 2024 by Shari Mason

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Spaetzle, a delectable German dish, is a distinctive type of pasta that resembles dumplings. Made with just eggs, flour, and milk, its recipe is simple yet satisfying. Enjoy it in various ways – with a luscious layer of butter, a sprinkling of cheese, or topped with a flavorful meat sauce.

However, if you don’t have a spaetzle maker at home to cook spaetzle easily, other substitutes can help you with how to make spaetzle without spaetzle maker.

Keep on scrolling to learn how to make a spaetzle without a spaetzle maker.

8 Helpful Substitutes For Spaetzle Maker to Make Spaetzle

German Spaetzle with parsley

1. Colander with Large Holes

Dump the batter into a spaetzle maker or colander carefully held over the boiling water. Press the batter through the colander’s holes using a spatula.

The sign that the pasta is ready is when it starts to float. It will form little squiggles that will float to the water’s surface. [1] 

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2. Ziplock Bag

A ziplock bag can be converted into a piping bag by cutting off the corner. Squeeze the spaetzle mixture into the boiling water slowly after placing the mixture in your improvised piping bag.

By pinching the mixture with the fingers of your other hand while you squeeze, you may cut the mixture into precise measurements. Use a slotted spoon to scoop the spaetzle out of the pan.

3. Icing Bag

To use an icing bag, squeeze out as much air as possible before adding spaetzle to it, then firmly close the opening with a rubber band. Cut a small hole at the tip of the icing bag.

Make sure they are snug enough so that when you press down on them with your hands, only small quantities of dough come out; if they are too loose, they will crumble when baking.

4. Box Grater With Big Holes

Over the simmering water, hold a large-holed box grater in your mitted hand. Using a big spoon, add dough to the box grater.

Press the dough through by inserting the spatula inside. Allow the dough to fall into the boiling salted water from the holes.

5. Steamer

Set the steamer on top of the hot water and put some dough in it. Using a spatula, press down on the steamer to force the noodles into the water. Do it again in groups as needed.

6. Potato Ricer

A large pot of salted water should be brought to a rolling boil. Take your potato ricer and moisten it by putting it in the water. Open the potato ricer, and then add the dough, filling it up about halfway.

Push the Spaetzle mixture into the boiling water with a ricer dipped in water until it is about 2-3 inches long.

7. Knife & Wooden Board

Spaetzle is traditionally made using a tiny wooden cutting board. Use a small cutting board that has been dampened to spread the spätzle dough along the edge of the board.

Cut tiny pieces of dough into the boiling water with a butter knife while holding the board over the pot.

8. Cheese Grater With Bigger Holes

An excellent alternative to a spaetzle maker is a cheese grater plane. Put the batter through the cheese grater while holding it over a pan of boiling water.

Pushing the batter through the holes of the cheese grater by using the back of a spoon can speed up the process.

Spaetzle Without A Spaetzle Maker Recipe

Bring salted water to a boil in a big pot on the stove. Simmer the boiling water down. Cover the hand holding the colander with an oven mitt to prevent getting burned by steam.

“Food brings people together on many different levels. It’s nourishment of the soul and body; it’s truly love.”

– Giada De Laurentiis, Italian-American Chef

Over the simmering water, hold a large-holed colander in your gloved hand. Using a big spoon, add dough to the colander.

Using a spatula, press the dough through the colander’s openings. Allow the dough to fall into the boiling water from the holes.

Tips & Tricks You Can Try

  • While boiling, place the dough in a covered container and refrigerate. The dough will harden to a cool temperature, making squeezing through the colander holes simpler.[2] 
  • To avoid crowding too many spaetzles into the pot, press the dough through the holes in batches.
  • Put cooking spray on the colander to help the dough drop into the water.

FAQs

u003cstrongu003eWhat is a spaetzle maker?u003c/strongu003e

A spaetzle maker is a small metal device used to make small dumplings. It has holes where the spaetzle dough is pushed into the boiling water.

u003cstrongu003eWhat should spaetzle batter look like?u003c/strongu003e

The spaetzle batter should look like a thick pancake mixture. It should be thick enough to be flattened onto a colander or spaetzle maker.

Summary

To summarize, you can make a delicious spaetzle without a spaetzle maker. Some of the substitutes include a potato ricer, colander, box grater, cheese grater, and steamer. Just press the dough into the holes with a spoon.

A Ziplock bag or an icing bag is also a good option. Stuff the dough inside the plastic, cut the tip according to your size preference, and squeeze them out.

The traditional way of using a wooden board and knife is also a good option.

References:

  1. https://www.inverse.com/science/cook-oil-pasta-myth 
  2. https://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/bread/bread_science 
Shari Mason

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