Salzburg: Apple Strudel Cooking Class & Lunch with Chef

Summary

Learn apple strudel & Salzburg desserts in a cozy kitchen

You’ll join a small group in Salzburg to bake apple strudel from scratch with a local chef guiding every step. Shape pastry, taste fresh fillings, share laughs over goulash or lentil stew for lunch, then savor your own warm desserts straight from the oven. It’s relaxed and hands-on — you might leave with flour on your shirt but also new friends and flavors that linger long after.

What’s the experience like?

We ducked into the warm kitchen just as a drizzle started outside — you could smell yeast and cinnamon before we’d even taken off our jackets. Our chef, Maria, greeted us with this quick nod and a little laugh (she said my German sounded like her cousin’s, which I think was a compliment?). There were five of us huddled around the big wooden table, sleeves rolled up, watching her hands move fast as she showed us how to stretch the pastry for apple strudel so thin you could almost see through it. I’ll admit, mine tore in two places but Maria just shrugged and patched it up with a bit of butter. No stress here.

The kitchen was noisy in that comforting way — spoons clinking, someone humming near the stove, flour dust floating everywhere. We took turns mixing apples with sugar and raisins, sneaking tastes when we thought no one was looking (the apples were tart and cold on my tongue). While our strudels baked, Maria handed us bowls of goulash soup — rich and smoky, or lentil stew if you wanted vegetarian. I sat by the window for a minute just watching people pass by in Salzburg’s old town below. It felt like being inside a postcard except my hands were sticky with dough.

After lunch came Salzburger Nockerl — honestly, I’d never heard of it before this day trip cooking class in Salzburg. The batter looked like clouds and somehow tasted even lighter. I tried to say “Nockerl” properly; Maria laughed again and told me not to worry about it. When we finally pulled our own apple strudels from the oven, everyone got quiet for a second — golden crust crackling as we sliced it open. That smell still pops into my head sometimes when I walk past bakeries at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cook Austrian dishes and enjoy lunch

• Join small cooking group
• Learn to prepare apple strudel
• Stretch out pastry for strudel
• Make Salzburger Nockerl or pretzel
• Eat traditional goulash soup lunch
• Enjoy baked apple strudel and dessert

Top questions

Is lunch included in the Salzburg apple strudel cooking class?

Yes, lunch is included — you’ll get goulash soup or lentil stew before dessert.

How many people are in each cooking group?

Groups are small, usually 3 to 5 participants per session.

Do I need any cooking experience for this class?

No experience needed; the chef guides you through every step.

Are there vegetarian or vegan options for lunch?

Yes, vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request.

What desserts do we make besides apple strudel?

You’ll also try making Salzburger Nockerl or sometimes fluffy pretzels depending on the program.

Is the location wheelchair accessible?

Yes, both the venue and nearby public transport are wheelchair accessible.

What is the minimum age for kids to join?

The minimum age for children is 5 years old.

What’s included

Your day includes all cooking ingredients and taxes covered, hands-on instruction from an experienced local chef in Salzburg’s city center, plus a hearty lunch of goulash soup or lentil stew before enjoying your freshly baked apple strudel and classic Austrian desserts together at the table.