Welcome to your new favorite appetizer! This delightful Cheese Puffs Recipe, also known as Gougères, delivers light, airy, and intensely cheesy bites that are simply irresistible.
Historically, these savory choux pastry puffs are believed to have originated in Burgundy, France, evolving from a type of cheese tart in medieval times.
They might sound fancy, but they come together with simple ingredients and minimal effort. Get ready to impress your family and friends with these perfect appetizers or anytime snacks.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Cheese Puffs Recipe
You’re going to adore making these gougères! This specific Cheese Puffs Recipe is incredibly beginner-friendly, ensuring success even if you’re new to baking. They offer a perfect blend of elegance and simplicity, making them ideal for any occasion.
- Enjoy a delightful crispy exterior and a wonderfully soft, airy interior.
- Quick preparation and minimal ingredients mean less time in the kitchen.
- These elegant, savory pastry bites are always a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
- Easily customize the flavors to suit your taste preferences.
- It’s a fun and satisfying baking project with incredibly rewarding results.
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients to create your batch of delicious gougères. This Cheese Puffs Recipe uses pantry staples for maximum convenience.
- 1 stick butter (8 tablespoons or 4 ounces)
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup (4 ounces) grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme (or rosemary)
- Freshly ground pepper
Notes & Substitutions
- Butter: Unsalted butter is recommended for better control over the saltiness. If using salted butter, reduce the added salt by a quarter teaspoon.
- Cheese: Gruyère is traditional, but sharp cheddar, Parmesan, or Swiss cheese work wonderfully. Experiment to find your favorite flavor for these cheese puffs.
- Herbs: Fresh thyme or rosemary add a lovely aroma. You can substitute with 1 teaspoon of dried herbs or experiment with chives or finely chopped parsley.
- Flour: Standard all-purpose flour works best. While some gluten-free flour blends can be used, the texture may vary slightly.
- Salt: Adjust the amount of salt based on your chosen cheese and butter to ensure perfect seasoning.
Equipment
You won’t need any fancy gadgets for this Cheese Puffs Recipe. Most items are likely already in your kitchen.
- Medium saucepan
- Wooden spoon or sturdy spatula
- Mixing bowl (or stand mixer with paddle attachment)
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Cheese grater
Instructions For Golden-brown Cheese Puffs
Follow these step-by-step instructions to create your perfect batch of airy, golden-brown cheese puffs. This detailed guide ensures a successful baking experience.
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
Step 2: Start the Dough Base. In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the water, butter, and salt. Bring this mixture to a rolling boil over high heat. Watch it carefully so it doesn’t boil over.
Step 3: Form the Choux Dough. Reduce the heat to medium. Add all the flour at once and stir rapidly with a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula. The mixture will quickly come together, forming a ball of dough that pulls away from the sides of the pan. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, for about two minutes. This step is crucial for drying out the dough and creating the perfect texture for your cheese puffs.
Step 4: Cool the Dough Slightly. Remove the pan from the heat. Let the dough cool for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the dough to be warm, not scorching hot, before adding the eggs. This prevents the eggs from scrambling.
Step 5: Incorporate the Eggs. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition until the egg is fully incorporated into the dough. The mixture will look a bit curdled at first but will become smooth and creamy as you continue mixing. A stand mixer with a paddle attachment makes this easier, but it’s totally achievable by hand with a wooden spoon.
Step 6: Add Flavorings. Stir in the grated cheese, chopped fresh thyme (or rosemary), and a few generous grinds of freshly ground pepper. Mix until everything is evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 7: Portion the Dough. Spoon out small balls of the dough, about a heaping tablespoon each, onto your prepared baking sheet. Leave at least an inch of space between each spoonful to allow for expansion. For a neater look, you can also pipe the dough using a pastry bag.
Step 8: Initial Bake at High Temperature. Place the baking sheet into the preheated 425°F (220°C) oven. Bake for 10 minutes. This initial high heat helps the puffs rise quickly and create their hollow interior.
Step 9: Finish Baking. After 10 minutes, without opening the oven door, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Continue to cook for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese puffs are beautifully puffed up, deeply golden brown, and feel firm to the touch. Let them cool slightly before serving.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieving perfect gougères is easier with a few expert tips. Master this Cheese Puffs Recipe with confidence.
- Avoid Opening Oven Door: Resist the urge to open the oven door during baking, especially in the first 20 minutes. This can cause the delicate puffs to deflate.
- Cool Dough Before Eggs: Ensure your dough cools slightly before adding eggs. Hot dough will cook the eggs, leading to a lumpy texture.
- Thoroughly Mix Flour Mixture: Stir the flour and water mixture vigorously and cook it for the full two minutes. This properly dries the dough, which is essential for airy cheese puffs.
- Consistent Sizing: Scoop or pipe uniform sizes for even baking. Varying sizes will result in some puffs being undercooked or overcooked.
- Don’t Underbake: Bake until golden brown and firm. Underbaked puffs will deflate quickly and have a soggy interior.
- Troubleshooting Flat Puffs: This often happens if the dough wasn’t dried enough, the eggs were added when the dough was too hot, or the oven door was opened prematurely.
- Soggy Bottoms: Ensure your oven temperature is accurate and that the puffs are fully cooked through. A silicone mat or parchment paper helps prevent direct contact with the hot metal.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
These homemade cheese puffs are incredibly versatile. Discover how to best enjoy and adapt this fantastic recipe.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these delightful cheese puffs warm, directly from the oven, as an elegant appetizer. Their warm, cheesy goodness makes them perfect alongside a bowl of hot soup or a fresh salad for a light meal. Enjoy them as a savory snack anytime you crave something delicious.
Storage Tips
Store any cooled, leftover cheese puffs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can freeze baked puffs. Simply arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. Reheat frozen puffs directly from the freezer in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through and crisp.
Variations
Cheese: Unleash your creativity! Try combinations like sharp white cheddar and Gruyère, or Monterey Jack for a milder flavor. Smoked gouda offers a unique twist to this Cheese Puffs Recipe.
Herbs: Swap fresh thyme for chopped chives, oregano, or a mix of Italian herbs. Dried herbs work too; just use half the amount of fresh.
Add-ins: Elevate your gougères with other savory flavors. Stir in a pinch of garlic powder, a dash of paprika for color, or even cooked and crumbled bacon bits for extra richness.
Sweet: While this is a savory recipe, the base choux pastry (pâte à choux) can be adapted for sweet treats like cream puffs or éclairs by omitting the cheese and savory additions, and adding sugar.
Nutrition Information
Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown for one serving of this delicious Cheese Puffs Recipe.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 84 |
| Total Fat | 6g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Cholesterol | 46mg |
| Sodium | 117mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 4g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 0g |
| Protein | 3g |
| Vitamin C | 0mg |
| Calcium | 41mg |
| Iron | 0mg |
| Potassium | 23mg |
Disclaimer: Nutritional information is an estimate based on the ingredients and preparation methods. Actual values may vary based on specific brands and serving sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can cheese puffs be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough a few hours ahead and refrigerate it, or bake the puffs entirely and reheat them. See the storage section for reheating instructions for this easy Cheese Puffs Recipe.
How do I keep cheese puffs from deflating?
The key is to avoid opening the oven door during baking and ensure the puffs are fully cooked through. Underbaked puffs are prone to collapsing.
What’s the secret to perfectly airy cheese puffs?
Properly drying out the flour mixture on the stove and adding eggs one by one, ensuring full incorporation, are vital steps. This creates the light, hollow interior.
Conclusion
You now have everything you need to bake the ultimate homemade cheese puffs! This Cheese Puffs Recipe (gougères) is a testament to how simple ingredients can create truly impressive results. Whether you’re hosting a party or just enjoying a cozy night in, these elegant and crowd-pleasing cheesy bites are sure to be a hit.
Go ahead, bake a batch today, and share the simple joy of these irresistible treats with everyone you love!
Cheese Puffs (Gougères)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or silicone mat.
- In a saucepan, bring water, butter, and salt to a boil.
- Reduce heat, add flour all at once, stir until a dough forms and pulls from the sides. Cook for 2 minutes stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and let cool for a couple of minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing fully after each until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in cheese, thyme, and pepper.
- Spoon or pipe dough onto baking sheet in heaping tablespoon portions.
- Bake at 425°F for 10 minutes, then reduce to 350°F and bake 15–20 more minutes until golden and firm.
Nutrition
Notes
- Gruyère is traditional but sharp cheddar, Parmesan, or Swiss are great substitutes.
- You can swap fresh thyme with dried herbs or chives.
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