How to reheat spaetzle

If you have leftover Spaetzle (also known as Spätzle, Knöpfle, Spätzli, Chnöpfli, Nokedli, Csipetke, and Galuska) in your fridge or freezer and wondering how to reheat it, this article is for you.

If you’ve taken the time to prepare this delicious Central European delicacy and are willing to reheat it for another satisfying and nutritious meal, read on to make sure you reheat your food correctly and safely, avoiding any foodborne illness and doing that tastes as good as when you cooked it fresh.

In this article, we’re first going to go over a few things to keep in mind about Spaetzle and reheating Spaetzle in general. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the two best methods for reheating Spaetzle from both the fridge and freezer: sautéing on the stove and microwaving. Finally, we will finish by answering some questions related to how to reheat spaetzle.

How to Reheat Spaetzle: Step by Step Guide

Reheating Spaetzle: Things to Keep in Mind

The first thing to consider if you’re thinking about reheating spaetzle is what kind of food goes with your spaetzle.

Due to Spaetzle’s flavor versatility, it is most often served as a side dish topped with sauce or broth, but it can also be served as a main dish topped with melted cheese, crispy fried onions, and meats such as ground beef or sausage.

If you’ve stored the Spaetzle in the fridge, be aware that it may be unsafe to eat if it’s been more than four days. This is due to the risk of bacteria growing and spoiling the Spaetzle and/or the food that goes with it.

In general, if you are going to reheat Spaetzle straight from the fridge, the best way to reheat it is by sautéing it on the stove. If the Spaetzle has been stored in the freezer, just thaw it in the fridge and then follow the same sautéing procedure.

The microwave is also a viable option for reheating. However, since the microwave heats food from the outside in, and without a completely even distribution of heat, your Spaetzle may come out with some cold spots. Also, if the food that the Spaetzle is paired with is heated at a slower or faster rate than the Spaetzle, it may come out too cold or too hot.

If you are reheating the Spaetzle from the freezer, the best way to reheat it is to let it thaw in the fridge, then follow one of the fridge reheating methods below.

Reheating Spaetzle: From the fridge to the kitchen

If you are going to reheat Spaetzle that you have stored in the fridge, the preferred method of reheating it is considered to be sautéing it on the stove.

That’s because by sautéing Spaetzle on the stove, you can heat it up quickly, efficiently, and add all the flavor you want in the form of butter, oil, and seasonings.

However, if you are interested in reheating and eating your Spaetzle without adding any additional oil or butter for dietary reasons, this may not be the best approach for you.

Here’s your step-by-step guide to reheating Spaetzle by sautéing it in a skillet on the stove:

Step 1: Take the spaetzle out of the fridge and place it on the counter. Remove any lids or wrappers that are covered.

Step 2: Select the aromatic fat of your choice to coat the bottom of the pan and create a non-stick surface. This will soak into the Spaetzle after you add it, so make sure you choose the one you like best. For fat, you have many to choose from including: olive oil, butter, vegetable oil, canola oil, lard, coconut oil, and avocado oil.

Note : In general, olive oil is the most common choice among the culinary community due to the flavor it adds to Spaetzle and its performance at medium-high temperatures is also preferred over vegetable oil, which is the temperature range at which it is it will sauté your Spaetzle.

If you want your Spaetzle to taste sweeter and richer, use butter. As butter burns very quickly, you may need to add a bit of oil to ensure complete heating of your Spaetzle at high temperatures.

Step 3 – Add enough fat of your choice to coat the bottom of the pan, creating a non-stick surface, and turn the heat to medium-high.

Step 4 – When the pan has heated to the point that a drop of water splatters out, add the Spaetzle to the pan, stirring constantly.

Step 5 – Keep stirring the Spaetzle for about 2-3 minutes until lightly browned from the fat in the pan and heated through.

Step 6 – Turn off the heat and allow the Spaetzle to cool to the desired temperature

Step 7: Serve and enjoy!

Note : Feel free to add any other ingredients to the pan to saute it along with the Spaetzle. If you want to create a deeper, smokier flavor base, consider adding bacon, sausage, or pancetta to the pan.

Also, adding a couple of tablespoons of water to the pan never hurts, it will just help make the spaetzle a bit wetter if you prefer that kind of texture.

Reheating spaetzle: From the fridge to the microwave

If you don’t care about sautéing the spaetzle in your kitchen with butter or oil, reheating it in the microwave is another viable option you can choose.

Please note that results may vary when using a microwave to reheat as the heat is not distributed evenly throughout the food. Also, some microwaves have cold spots that won’t get as much heat as others.

If your Spaetzle is mixed with other foods, they may heat up at a slower or faster rate than the Spaetzle, so be prepared for some foods to come out hotter or colder than others.

To optimize the flavor of the spaetzle coming out of the microwave, it’s best to cover and microwave it in 20-second increments, mixing in between. This will allow the heat to be distributed as much as possible.

Here’s your step-by-step guide to reheating spaetzle from the fridge in the microwave:

Step 1: Take the spaetzle out of the fridge and place it on the counter or table.

Step 2 – Cover the Spaetzle with a napkin or paper towel and place in the microwave.

Note: Although covering the spaetzle is optional, it is recommended to do so as it will prevent moisture and therefore flavor from escaping the spaetzle, keeping it moist and flavorful.

Step 3: Microwave the spaetzle on high power for 20 seconds.

Step 4: Take the spaetzle out of the microwave and stir.

Step 5: Repeat the operation until the spaetzle has reached the desired temperature.

Step 6: Serve and enjoy!

Reheat Spaetzle: From the Freezer

If you have spaetzle stored in the freezer, just thaw it in the fridge for about 24 hours and then follow the reheating instructions above to reheat from the fridge on the stove or in the microwave.

Note: Although spaetzle can be kept in the freezer for up to 6 months and is generally known to retain its flavor and texture quite well, if the spaetzle was not covered or sealed properly before placing it in the freezer, could have developed a freezer burn.

Freezer burn occurs when frost spreads across the surface of food, causing it to lose its moisture and flavor. While it’s perfectly safe to reheat foods that have suffered freezer burn, keep in mind that they may not taste as succulent or flavorful as you’d expect.

How to Reheat Spaetzle: Related Questions

What is the difference between frying and sautéing spaetzle?

When considering the process of reheating spaetzle in the kitchen, there isn’t much of a difference between pan-frying it and sautéing it.

We recommend sautéing (which is when you use less fat and cook at a higher temperature) rather than frying because spaetzle is already a high-calorie food, so the less fat we add, the better.

Also, spaetzle can be reheated fairly quickly by sautéing it at a medium-high temperature, so you don’t need to take the extra time to fry it.

Can I reheat the spaetzle more than once?

Yes, you can reheat spaetzle more than once. Be aware, however, that pasta like spaetzle tends to take on a tougher texture after reheating in the microwave. Therefore, if you reheat it more than once in the microwave, the texture will continually harden.

If your spaetzle is mixed with sauce or stock, it’s always a good idea to add a few tablespoons of water (or more sauce or stock) before reheating to add some moisture and help the texture stay smooth.