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If there’s one kitchen tool that instantly transports me back to Austrian home cooking, it’s my Spätzle press. It might look like a heavy-duty potato ricer, but it’s the secret to making one of the most comforting dishes from my childhood.

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What is a Spätzle press?

A Spätzle press (Spätzlepresse) is a simple but powerful tool that pushes soft egg dough through small holes directly into boiling water. The result? Spätzle — soft, irregularly shaped egg noodles or dumplings found all over Austria and southern Germany.

They’re delicious tossed in butter, served with gravy, or baked into cheesy Käsespätzle. And while there are other methods (like using a board and knife or a grater-style press), nothing beats the consistency and ease of a proper press.

What I Used Before — And Why I Upgraded

When I first moved to the UK, I didn’t have a Spätzle maker. So I used what I had — a plastic colander, like this one.

I’d push the dough through the small holes with a spatula and end up with a bowl of steaming hot Spätzle. But there was a catch:

The holes were too fine, so the noodles came out tiny and stringy — a bit like eggy vermicelli.

Not quite the soft, round and rustic Spätzle I grew up with.

It was a great workaround at first, but eventually I decided to invest in the real thing.

I also didn’t want to wait for Lidl’s Alpine Week specials or rely on buying fresh pre-made Spätzle from places like Sausageman, no matter how lovely their pasta is. I wanted fresh, homemade Spätzle any day of the week — and that’s why I eventually invested in the real thing.

How to make Spätzle

Before I get into my personal journey to find my current Spätzle press, let me introduce you to other ways to make Spätzle.

Not everyone uses a press! Here are traditional alternatives:

• Board and Knife Method:
  Spread soft dough on a wet wooden board, then scrape thin strips into boiling water with a knife. Classic method, requires some practice for even-sized Spätzle.
• Spoon Method:
  Drop small spoonfuls of dough directly into boiling water using two spoons. Simple but slower, great if you don’t have any tools.
• Grater-style Spätzle Maker:
  Similar to the Hobel, but with a grater-like surface where you scrape dough through.

Each method gives slightly different results in shape and texture, so it’s fun to experiment!

My first attempt: The Original Spätzlehobel Press

When I decided it was time for my own Spätzle Maker, I honestly didn’t do a lot of reseach. I still remembered the Spätzle Maker, we used in the HBLA, as Spätzle were part of my exam menu.

The Spätzlehobel is a tool designed specifically for Spätzle. You fill its hopper with dough and scrape it across larger holes with a spatula or flat blade, dropping thicker, rustic noodles directly into boiling water.

Pros:

• Produces authentic, chewy Spätzle with that classic irregular shape
• Faster and more efficient once you get the hang of the scraping motion
• Easier to clean with fewer nooks and crannies than the colander

Cons:

• Requires some practice to scrape evenly and avoid clogging
• Slightly more expensive than using a colander, but worth it if you make Spätzle often

✅ My Go-To: The Westmark Spätzle & Potato Press

The press I use now is the Westmark Spaetzle & Potato Press — and I absolutely love it. It was acutally a present from my mother, when I mentioned how much I miss Spätzle.
It’s solid, German-made, easy to use, and gives me perfect results every time.

🛒 Buy it here: Westmark Spätzle & Potato Press on Amazon UK

Why I recommend it:

🔍 Comparing the Two Presses

Feature	Westmark Spätzle & Potato Press	Spätzlehobel-style Press
Operation	Pushes dough through holes with handles	Scrapes dough across holes with a flat blade
Noodle Texture	Uniform, smaller, delicate strands	Slightly thicker, rustic, irregular shapes
Ease of Cleaning	Chamber opens for thorough cleaning	Simple flat surface, but holes can clog
Use Cases	Great for Spätzle and potato dishes	Traditional Spätzle lovers who like rustic texture
Learning Curve	Very straightforward, less messy	Requires a bit of practice to scrape evenly
Price Range	pretty low (£10-£20)	same price (£10-£15)

🇬🇧 Where to Buy Spätzle Tools in the UK

Spätzle presses aren’t always easy to find in UK shops, but here are a few places to look:

• Amazon UK — reliable selection and quick delivery
• German/European specialty stores online
• Aldi or Lidl — check their “middle aisle” during themed weeks

Look for sturdy models with removable chambers and ideally metal construction for long-lasting results.

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👩‍🍳 Coming Soon: My Austrian Spätzle Recipe

In my next recipe post, I’ll walk you through my classic Spätzle dough recipe — plus how to get the texture just right, when to salt the water, and how to keep the noodles from sticking together.

Stay tuned!

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💬 Over to You

Have you made Spätzle at home?
Still using a colander, or have you tried a press?
Drop a comment and let me know your favourite way to enjoy them — and what you’d like me to make next!