Cheese Spaetzle in the Air Fryer (German Käsespätzle)
Some evenings call for comfort food that doesn’t leave a pile of pots behind. That’s exactly when I make these Cheese Spaetzle in the air fryer. Everything goes straight into one dish: soft egg noodles, diced ham, a creamy sauce and plenty of grated cheese. No boiling, no pre-cooking, and about 15 minutes later dinner is ready.
Käsespätzle are a classic from southern Germany and Austria, usually layered with cheese and topped with crispy onions. This version keeps all of that flavor but skips the stovetop completely. You only need six ingredients, and the recipe makes two generous servings. A simple green salad on the side is all you need (something fresh next to all that cheese is a good idea).
Tips for creamy Cheese Spaetzle
- Use fresh spaetzle from the refrigerated section. They soften in the sauce without being boiled first. If you can only find dried spaetzle, cook them according to the package and drain them well before they go into the dish.
- Stir really well before air frying, so every noodle is coated in sauce and cheese.
- Keep a small handful of cheese for the top. That’s the part that turns golden and gives you crispy edges.
- Go easy on salt. Ham, cheese and fried onions already bring plenty, so pepper is usually enough.
The temperature is intentionally moderate at 170 °C (340 °F). Any hotter and the cheese on top browns before the noodles underneath are hot and creamy. If yours need a little longer, give them two or three extra minutes.
Swaps and variations
Can’t find Bergkäse? Gruyère or Emmental melt just as well, and a mild Gouda works too if you like it a little less tangy. Instead of crème légère you can use crème fraîche or a light sour cream. The ham is easy to swap for diced bacon, and for a vegetarian version you simply leave it out and add sliced mushrooms or a bit of leek instead.
The crispy fried onions are the classic topping. In Germany they come in a small tub next to the salad toppings. Elsewhere, look for crispy fried onions in the same aisle as croutons. Make sure your air fryer either has a removable grill plate or that a small baking dish fits into the basket, otherwise the sauce has nowhere to go.
Leftovers keep covered in the fridge for one to two days. To reheat, put them back into the air fryer at 160 °C (320 °F) for 5 to 6 minutes, and they taste almost freshly made.
If you’ve never made Cheese Spaetzle at home, this is the easiest way to start. Grab a pack of fresh spaetzle and give it a try this week.
Have you tried the Cheese Spaetzle? If so, feel free to tag me on Instagram at @frozenandfriedrecipes. To make sure you don’t miss any new recipes, follow me on Pinterest and YouTube. As always: Have fun with this recipe, and enjoy your meal!
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Nutrition per serving
- 965kcal
- 48 gFat
- 90 gCarbs
- 8 gSugar
- 42 gProtein
approximate values
Remove the grill plate from the air fryer basket or place a small baking dish that fits inside the basket.
Add the spaetzle, ham, crème légère, fried onions and 100 g of the cheese, season with pepper and stir well.
Sprinkle the remaining 20 g of cheese evenly over the top.
Air fry at 170 °C for 12–15 minutes until the cheese is golden brown.
Ingredients
