Cheese Puffs Recipe

Introduction

Cheese puffs are light, airy, and irresistibly cheesy snacks perfect for any occasion. Crispy on the outside and soft inside, these savory treats are surprisingly easy to make at home.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (or mix of Gruyère and cheddar)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Optional: 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or paprika

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a saucepan, heat the milk, butter, and salt over medium heat until it just begins to simmer.
3. Step 3: Remove the pan from heat and stir in the flour all at once. Mix vigorously until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
4. Step 4: Allow the dough to cool for 5 minutes.
5. Step 5: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the dough is smooth and glossy.
6. Step 6: Fold in the grated cheese and optional seasonings like garlic powder or paprika.
7. Step 7: Drop tablespoon-sized portions of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1.5 inches apart.
8. Step 8: Bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown and puffed.
9. Step 9: Serve warm or cool on a rack for later enjoyment.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try mixing different cheeses such as Gruyère, Parmesan, or fontina with cheddar.
• Adding a pinch of cayenne pepper can give the puffs a slight spicy kick.
• Make sure the dough cools slightly before adding eggs to prevent them from cooking prematurely.
• Store baked cheese puffs in an airtight container to maintain crispness.

Storage

Store cheese puffs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving to prevent them from becoming soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make cheese puffs ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake them in advance and store at room temperature for a day or two. Reheat in the oven before serving to bring back their crisp texture.

What if I don’t have sharp cheddar cheese?

You can substitute with other flavorful cheeses like Gruyère, Parmesan, or a cheese blend to suit your taste. Just ensure the cheese is grated for easy incorporation into the dough.

Cheese Puffs Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 53 reviews

Delightfully airy and cheesy, these classic Cheese Puffs are made from a smooth choux pastry dough infused with sharp cheddar cheese. Perfect as a savory snack or appetizer, they bake up golden and puffed, offering a light, melt-in-your-mouth texture with rich cheesy flavor.

• Author: Luna
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: About 24 cheese puffs 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Optional: 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or paprika

Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (or a mix of Gruyère and cheddar)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
2. Heat Milk, Butter, and Salt: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk, butter, and salt. Heat until the mixture just begins to simmer, allowing the butter to melt completely and incorporate with the milk.
3. Add Flour and Form Dough: Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately stir in all of the flour at once. Mix vigorously until the dough forms a cohesive ball that pulls away cleanly from the sides of the pan.
4. Cool Dough Slightly: Allow the dough to cool for approximately 5 minutes, which helps prevent cooking the eggs when added and makes mixing easier.
5. Incorporate Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the dough becomes smooth and glossy. This gradual mixing ensures proper emulsification and puffing during baking.
6. Fold in Cheese and Seasonings: Gently fold in the grated cheese along with any optional seasonings like garlic powder or paprika to add extra flavor.
7. Portion Dough on Baking Sheet: Using a tablespoon, drop portion-sized mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1.5 inches apart to allow room for puffing.
8. Bake Until Golden and Puffy: Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes until the puffs are golden brown, well-risen, and slightly firm to the touch.
9. Cool and Serve: Remove the cheese puffs from the oven and serve warm for best texture and flavor, or cool them on a rack for later use.

Notes

• Use sharp cheddar cheese or a combination like Gruyère and cheddar for the best depth of flavor.
• Make sure to add eggs one at a time and mix thoroughly to achieve the proper dough consistency.
• The dough can be piped for a more uniform shape using a pastry bag fitted with a large plain tip.
• Serve cheese puffs immediately after baking for optimal texture as they may lose some puffiness when cooled.
• Variations include adding herbs like chives or thyme for an herby twist.

Keywords: cheese puffs, gougères, savory snack, appetizer, cheddar cheese, French pastry