Cheese Puffs Recipe

Alright, you guys, let’s take a quick culinary trip to France without leaving your kitchen with these irresistible Gruyère cheese puffs that will make you question why you ever ate boring snacks before.

I take delight in making my Cheese Puffs, which are a fantastic little snack and just bursting with nutty Gruyère cheese flavor. I love how the combination of water, butter, and flour (not too much, and not too little) can create such a light and airy texture that practically melts in your mouth.

And with a hint of black pepper and cayenne, these puffs are completely decadent.

Cheese Puffs Recipe Ingredients

• Water: Provides moisture and texture to the dough.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and aids in puffing.
• All-purpose Flour: Base structure, providing carbohydrates.
• Eggs: Ensure puff and binding, adding protein.
• Gruyère Cheese: Offers a nutty flavor, high in calcium.
• Ground Black Pepper: Enhances taste with subtle spice.

Cheese Puffs Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

How to Make this Cheese Puffs Recipe

1. Set the oven to 425°F (220°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment.

2. In a medium saucepan, mix the water, butter, and salt. Over medium heat, bring to a boil, stirring until the butter is fully melted.

3. Lower the heat and put in the flour all at once. Stir with a wooden spoon until smooth. The mixture should form a ball and pull away from the sides of the pan.

4. Take the pan from the heat and allow the dough to cool for 5 minutes.

5. Incorporate the eggs, adding them one at a time, and beat well after each addition until the dough achieves a uniform, smooth texture and a shiny, glossy appearance.

6. Mix in the grated Gruyère cheese, ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using) until well combined.

7. Using a tablespoon, place dollops of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

8. Put the baking sheet in the heated oven and bake for 5 minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius).

9. Lower the oven temperature to 375◦F (190◦C) and bake for 20-25 minutes longer, or until the puffs are golden brown and crisp.

10. Take the cheese puffs out of the oven and put them on a wire cooling rack. Let them cool for a few minutes, but don’t wait too long—they’re best enjoyed when still nice and warm.

Cheese Puffs Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Baking sheet
3. Parchment paper
4. Medium saucepan
5. Wooden spoon
6. Measuring cups and spoons
7. Grater (for cheese)
8. Mixing bowl
9. Wire cooling rack
10. Tablespoon (for scooping dough)

FAQ

• Q: Can I use a different type of cheese?A: Yes, Gruyère can be replaced with cheddar or any other semi-hard cheese to impart a different flavor.
• Q: Can these cheese puffs be made ahead of time?You can indeed prepare them ahead of time and warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for roughly 5 minutes before serving.
• Q: How should I store leftover cheese puffs?A: Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll be good for up to 2 days. Freezing is another option, and easy reheating preps them for service.

  A: Store them in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days—they need nice, warm, room-temperature nesting space to keep ’em puffy and fresh. I’m a big fan of freezing, which is also a safe method of food storage. Freezing tends to kill the cell and tissue structure that makes foods taste and feel good, but reheating this will kill any unwanted bacteria and make your health-safe muffin similarly fresh-feeling.

• Q: Can I freeze the uncooked dough?A: It’s better to freeze the baked cheese puffs, but you can freeze the dough in portions and bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
• Q: What is the purpose of the cayenne pepper?A: The subtle heat and overall enhanced flavor of this dish come from cayenne pepper, which is completely optional, so leave it out if you like.
• Q: Can I add herbs to the recipe?Yes, enhancing the flavor of your cheese puffs can be done by adding herbs like chives or thyme.
• Q: Is there a gluten-free option available?A: Using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend is an option, but the texture might not be exactly the same.

Cheese Puffs Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Butter without salt: Use an equal amount of butter with salt. Just leave out any salt in the recipe, so the total amount of salt stays the same.
Universal flour: For a chewier texture, use bread flour; for a nuttier flavor, use whole wheat flour. Note that either choice may slightly reduce puffiness.
Cheese Gruyère: Substitute with cheddar for a sharper flavor or use Emmental for a similar texture.
Black pepper, ground: Substitute white pepper for a flavor that’s milder and a touch less forward.
Cayenne pepper: Substitute with a pinch of paprika for a milder spice, or chili powder for a more intense kick.

Pro Tips

1. Dry the Dough After adding the flour to the boiling water and butter mixture, continue to cook the dough for about 1-2 minutes over low heat. This helps to evaporate excess moisture, which ensures lighter and crispier puffs.

2. Egg Temperature To achieve the best texture, ensure your eggs are at room temperature before adding them to the dough. Cold eggs might cause the dough to split or not incorporate as smoothly.

3. Cheese Variety For a richer flavor, you can substitute Gruyère with a mix of cheeses, such as adding some aged cheddar or Parmesan. Just ensure the total quantity of cheese remains the same.

4. Piping Method For more uniform and professional-looking puffs, consider using a pastry bag fitted with a large round tip to pipe the dough onto the baking sheet rather than using a tablespoon.

5. Steam for Rise Place a small oven-safe dish with water on the lower rack of the oven while baking. The steam from the water can help the puffs rise more evenly and increase their puffiness.