Hungarian Egg Noodle Dumplings (Nokedli) Recipe
Introduction
Hungarian Egg Noodle Dumplings, known as Nokedli, are a simple and comforting side dish. These small, tender dumplings are perfect for soaking up rich sauces or stews, making them a staple in Hungarian cuisine.

Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Crack the eggs into the mixture and add the water gradually, stirring continuously until you form a thick, smooth batter.
- Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Using a nokedli maker or a colander with large holes, drop small portions of the batter directly into the boiling water.
- Step 3: Cook the dumplings until they float to the surface, about 2 to 3 minutes. Once they float, let them cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Step 4: Use a slotted spoon to remove the dumplings from the water. Drain well and serve warm with your favorite dishes.
Tips & Variations
- For lighter dumplings, whisk the batter well to incorporate some air before cooking.
- You can add a tablespoon of melted butter or finely chopped parsley after cooking for extra flavor.
- If you don’t have a nokedli maker, use a spoon to drop small dumplings into the boiling water instead.
Storage
Store any leftover dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, gently warm them in a pan with a little butter or briefly in boiling water to restore their texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the batter ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the batter and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Give it a good stir before dropping the dumplings into boiling water.
What can I serve Nokedli with?
Nokedli pairs wonderfully with dishes like Hungarian goulash, chicken paprikash, or any rich stew and sauce that needs a tender noodle to soak up the flavors.
PrintHungarian Egg Noodle Dumplings (Nokedli) Recipe
Hungarian Egg Noodle Dumplings, known as Nokedli, are small, soft, and fluffy dumplings made from a simple batter of flour, eggs, water, and salt. These dumplings are a classic accompaniment to hearty Hungarian dishes like goulash and paprikash, offering a perfect texture to soak up rich sauces.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Hungarian
Ingredients
For the Nokedli Dumplings
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup water (adjust as needed)
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, water, and salt until well combined. Gradually add the flour while stirring continuously, forming a thick, sticky batter. The consistency should be slightly thicker than pancake batter but still drop easily from a spoon.
- Boil water: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil on the stovetop.
- Drop the dumplings: Using a spaetzle maker, grater, or by carefully dropping small spoonfuls of batter into the boiling water, add the dumplings in small batches to prevent overcrowding.
- Cook the dumplings: Allow the dumplings to cook until they float to the surface, usually about 2-3 minutes. Once floating, let them cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to ensure doneness.
- Drain and serve: Use a slotted spoon to remove the dumplings from the water and transfer them to a colander to drain. Serve immediately as a side dish with Hungarian stews or sauces.
Notes
- The batter consistency is key: too thin will result in flat dumplings; too thick will make them dense.
- Use a spaetzle maker or large-holed grater to achieve traditional dumpling shapes.
- For richer dumplings, you may add a tablespoon of melted butter to the batter.
- Cook dumplings in small batches to avoid sticking together.
- Leftover nokedli can be sautéed in butter for a crispy twist the next day.
Keywords: Hungarian Nokedli, egg noodle dumplings, nokedli recipe, Hungarian side dish, dumplings, traditional nokedli

