Hungarian Egg Noodle Dumplings - Nokedli (Spaetzle) (2024)

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Nokedli (also known as Tojásos nokedli) are fluffy Hungarian egg noodle dumplings that are commonly used when making one of the country’s favorite dishes, Chicken Paprikash.

Our nokedli recipe uses simple ingredients such as all-purpose flour, salt, eggs, and water to produce this traditional Hungarian dish.

Classic Chicken Paprikash with Nokedli Noodles

The dumplings are also often used in German Cuisine where they are known as spaetzle or “spätzle.”

The primitive shape of these homemade Hungarian dumplings gives an idea of how long they have been around (with origins dating back to the 17th century).

A Brief History of Nokedli

The humble free-form egg noodle originated in Central European cuisine. The exact history of nokedli is a bit challenging to trace, as similar variations of this noodle dish exist in various cultures.

The word “nokedli” itself is of Hungarian origin, and Hungary is often credited with popularizing this type of noodle. Hungarian cuisine has a rich tradition, and nokedli became a staple accompaniment to many dishes, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Throughout the years, nokedli has spread to neighboring countries and beyond, adapting to local culinary traditions and preferences.

Today, Hungarian nokedli and its variations are enjoyed in different forms across the world, and its rich history reflects the cultural exchange and culinary evolution in Central Europe.

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How to Make Nokedli

No special equipment is needed to make Nokedli. The wet dough can be passed through a slotted spoon, a colander with medium-sized holes, or even drizzled on the ends of your fingers.

Those who are looking for the simplest option can purchase a spaetzle maker, which makes very quick and easy work of forming the dumplings.

A German spaetzle maker, also known as a spaetzle press or spaetzle grater, is a kitchen tool specifically designed for easily making spaetzle and nokedli noodles. It typically consists of a flat or box-like grater with a sliding basket or hopper.

To use this dumpling maker, add a portion of the dough onto the grater or into the hopper of the tool. Holding it above the large pot of water, move the sliding hopper back and forth along the grater.

This action causes a small amount of dough to drop through the holes in the grater and into the boiling water. Using the nokedli maker isn’t necessary, but it does simplify the process.

Serving Suggestions for Nokedli

The fact that nokedli are still commonly made now gives an indication of how good they taste!

Beyond serving Nokedli along with Chicken Paprikash or other Hungarian recipes, such as Goulash, there are many ways to enjoy these delicious dumplings.

My favorite way to make them is to toast the dumplings in butter or olive oil and garlic and then toss them with fresh herbs.

They are also delicious covered in cheese sauce, beef stew, or Stroganoff with sour cream, or with a creamy chicken and mushroom sauce. They are also a great addition to chicken soup recipes.

Generally, the tasty little dumplings can be used as a base for any dish where egg noodles would commonly be used.

Here are some related articles about Eastern European Recipes and Travel in Budapest that may help inspire or plan a visit!

Khinkali – Georgian Beef and Pork Soup Dumplings

Adjarian Khachapuri – Georgian Cheese and Egg Bread

Romanian White Bean Dip – Fasole Batuta


Getting A Taste For Budapest

Hiking Up And Tumbling Down Gellért Hill

Budapest Food – What to Eat in Budapest

Hungry in Hungary? Traditional Cooking in Budapest

Yield: 6 Servings

Hungarian Egg Noodle Dumplings - Nokedli (Spaetzle) (11)

Hungarian Egg Noodles, Nokedli, or Spaetzle Recipe. Easy homemade noodles that can be substituted anywhere egg noodles would be used. Perfect for use when making Hungarian Chicken Paprikash!

Prep Time15 minutes

Cook Time3 minutes

Additional Time10 minutes

Total Time28 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups (272 g) Flour, All-Purpose
  • 2 Whole Eggs, Beaten
  • 1/2 Tsp (3 g) Salt
  • 3/4 Cup (177 ml) Water Warm
  • 1 Tbs (15 g) Butter, Melted
  • Black Pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl and then form a small well in the center.
  2. Add the beaten eggs and a little bit of cold water into the center of the well.
  3. Working outward, begin to blend the eggs, water, and flour together.
  4. Continue adding the water in small amounts. The dough that is formed should be thin enough that it will be able to pass through the small holes of a colander (thicker than a cake batter). The entire 3/4 cup (177 ml) of water may not be needed
  5. Let the dough rest while bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  6. Working in small batches, press the batter through a pasta strainer or cheese grater with large holes (for more ease, use a spaetzle maker) into the boiling water. Hungarian Egg Noodle Dumplings - Nokedli (Spaetzle) (12)
  7. Allow the nokedli dumplings to boil until they begin to float to the top of the pot (about 2 -3 minutes), stirring them gently as needed with a wooden spoon.
  8. Remove the cooked nokedli with a slotted spoon and repeat until the dough has been cooked.
  9. Lightly season with salt and black pepper and coat with melted butter. Serve warm. For extra flavor, the nokedli can also be toasted in a saute pan with butter and tossed with fresh herbs.

Nutrition Information

Yield

6

Serving Size

1

Amount Per ServingCalories 192Total Fat 4gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 67mgSodium 235mgCarbohydrates 32gFiber 1gSugar 0gProtein 6g

Hungarian Egg Noodle Dumplings - Nokedli (Spaetzle) (2024)

FAQs

Is nokedli the same as spaetzle? ›

Spätzle ([ˈʃpɛtslə]), or nokedli in Hungarian, are a type of Central European egg noodles typically served as a side for meat dishes with sauce.

What is the difference between nokedli and galuska? ›

Hungarian Nokedli (sometimes called Galuska) are small Central European dumplings that are closely related to German Spätzle. These miniature dumplings come together from simple ingredients, and are basically a free-form egg noodle. That's probably how American-style Paprika Chicken came to be served with egg noodles.

What are Hungarian dumplings made of? ›

Nokedli is a traditional Hungarian dish consisting of boiled dumplings consisting of flour, water, salt, and eggs, that are sometimes enhanced with thyme and whole milk. They are similar in ingredients, flavor, and preparation to spaetzle and can be made with a spaetzle maker.

How do you eat Hungarian dumplings? ›

Serve nokedli with traditional Hungarian dishes or serve them with any dish you would serve with pasta or noodles. Top the nokedli with a hearty Bolognese sauce or serve the little dumplings with Swedish meatballs or Salisbury steaks.

What is the difference between spaetzle and dumplings? ›

I would say Spätzle is closer to pasta than a dumpling - it's a dough similar to pasta (eggs, flour, water, salt). For me, the main difference between pasta and dumplings is that pasta is cooked in water and sauce is added later, while dumplings are often cooked and served in the broth which flavours them.

What is the English name for spaetzle? ›

Meaning of spaetzle in English

a food, originally from Germany, that is similar to pasta, made with eggs, flour, and milk, and formed into small round or long shapes before being boiled and sometimes fried: Spaetzle may be browned in a little butter before serving.

Are kluski noodles the same as egg noodles? ›

The amount of eggs being used to make kluski noodles and egg noodles is not the only difference between the two of them. While kluski noodles need more eggs to make the dough, they do not require any water. Egg noodles, pasta, and kluski come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

Are kluski noodles the same as spaetzle? ›

Kluski — The name kluski, which we use for straight, thick egg noodles, is simply the Polish word for "noodle." These are especially good in soup or served as a side dish simply dressed with butter and parsley. Spaetzle — This homemade German noodle can be found in dry form, but it's easy to cook fresh with your meal.

What is the difference between spaetzle and knopfle? ›

Knoepfle is the Swiss version of Spaetzle, an drop noodle made of an egg noodle dough. It's our family tradition and they are the best holiday side dish recipe. It's kind of a labor of love but it's worth every second!

What are European dumplings called? ›

Pierogi (Eastern European filled dumplings)

What is hidden in dumplings? ›

Some families hide a coin inside one or more of the jiaozi, so someone may bite into something hard and discover a gold or silver coin inside their dumpling. Whoever finds the dumpling with the coin has good luck and will be lucky in the upcoming year.

What are Eastern European dumplings called? ›

Pierogi or pierogies are filled dumplings, made by wrapping unleavened dough around a filling, and occasionally flavored with a savory or sweet garnish, finally cooked in boiling water. Pierogi or their varieties are associated with the cuisines of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe.

Do you eat dumplings in one bite? ›

Cooks often recommend that diners consume the soup dumpling in one bite to fully appreciate the combined taste of the thin flour wrapper, meat filling, and broth. Since the Chinese eat most food with chopsticks, some diners assume that this is also the correct way to eat a soup dumpling.

Are dumplings served hot or cold? ›

They're good steaming hot just out of the boiling pot, they're good cold, eaten standing in front of the fridge. Between the filling and the wrapper, a dumpling covers at least three food groups.

Why are dumplings gummy? ›

If you overcook your dumplings in the steamer or when boiling, the dough of the wrappers will have a gummy texture that isn't very pleasant, and your filling might get dry and tough. If you overcook them in the pan, you risk a similar gummy texture on top and a bitter, burnt crust on the bottom.

What pasta is similar to spaetzle? ›

Knoepfle is the “button-shaped” equivalent to spaetzle. I equate it with Switzerland, because my dad is Swiss and we always explained it by calling knoepfle a “swiss noodle.” I think that Knoepfle originated in Germany and, from my research, I learned in Switzerland it is spelled Chnoepfli.

What's the difference between gnocchi and spaetzle? ›

What's the Difference Between Gnocchi and Spaetzle. Gnocchi are soft Italian-style dumplings made with a dough that traditionally contains potato and flour and may or may not include eggs. Spaetzle are German-style dumplings made with a batter that contains eggs, flour, and milk or water.

How is spaetzle different from pasta? ›

While the ingredients to make the two are quite similar, the processes aren't so much. To make pasta, you form a firm dough that is kneaded, rested, rolled and shaped however you like. On the other hand, spaetzle is a sort of sticky, wet batter that doesn't hold it's shape like a ball of pasta dough would.

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