spaetzle

noun

spaetz·​le ˈshpet-slə 

-sᵊl,

-slē,

 also  ˈshpāt-

variants or less commonly spätzle

plural spaetzle or spaetzles also spätzle or spätzles

: a small dumpling cooked by running batter through a colander into boiling water

Examples of spaetzle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

So Linden has jerk duck, wagyu oxtail pot pie and lamb with collard green spaetzle. —Andy Wang, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

The wurst wizards and spaetzle specialists from the Black Forest Inn, the iconic Minneapolis German restaurant, are doing demos throughout the day. —Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 18 Aug. 2025

Menu staples include spaetzle, goulash, schnitzel, and wurst platters, all of which can be paired with beer straight from the motherland. —Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 29 July 2025

Warm brick walls, vintage fixtures, lively bars, and plates like walleye with spaetzle or a relish tray with deviled eggs and homemade pretzel crackers channel pure Midwest charm. —Regan Stephens, People.com, 16 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

German Spätzle, from German dialect, diminutive of Spatz sparrow, dumpling

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined above