Get ready to elevate your snack game with our delightful homemade sharp cheddar cheese puffs, also known as Gougeres. These light and fluffy bites are not only a breeze to make but also pack a punch of great taste that the whole family will love.
Say goodbye to store-bought snacks and hello to a cheesy, savory treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
Jump to Recipe
Big fan of cheesy recipes? I think you’d love my ultra-cheesy 5 cheese lasagna recipe or easy homemade Hamburger Helper recipe!
Homemade Cheese Puffs Ingredients
This easy classic French pastry recipe calls for 9 easy-to-find ingredients:
Water: Yep, this recipe is super simple in that all you need is some water to bring it together. No broths or complicated liquids here!
Butter: Unsalted butter is preferred for this recipe and be sure that it is at room temperature before beginning this recipe.
Salt: A little bit goes a long way but it is essential for this recipe!
Paprika: Adding some flavor is a must. Paprika is the ultimate spice for this recipe.
Cayenne Pepper: Every cheesy recipe needs a little kick, right? Add the right amount with this dose of Cayenne pepper!
Flour: All-purpose is what we used for this recipe. Keep it simple, my friends!
Eggs: Again, we need the eggs to be at room temperature to make this recipe as deliciously fluffy and light as possible!
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: This is the star of the show. Snag some high-quality sharp cheddar cheese to really make this recipe pop.
Dijon Mustard: Dijon mustard adds an essential flavor to this recipe. You fold it in last and it does make a difference!
Substitutions + Variations for Classic Cheese Puffs
Love making a recipe your own? Do just that with these tasty substitutions to our cheddar cheese puff recipe:
Change up the cheese: Feel free to swap out the sharp cheddar for some Gruyere cheese, Parmesan cheese, or Swiss cheeses. A combination of cheeses would also be supurb! My only note would be to make sure you are using real cheese for this recipe and high-quality cheese will help this recipe turn out to be the best one you’ve tried!
Add some more flavor: Add a few extra spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, or black pepper to really kick this cheese puffs recipe up a notch.
Change out the flour: Needing to make this recipe fit your diet? Feel free to swap out the flour for your flour of choice but please note that I have not tested out this recipe with anything other than all-purpose flour so I can’t guarantee the same success!
What to Serve with Savory Cheese Puffs
These yummy cheese puffs are the perfect snack for the whole family. They work well as an easy grab-and-go after school snack or a delicious appetizer for parties such as a cocktail party.
Serve this little appetizer on it’s own or pair it with your favorite pasta dish and a quality glass of wine to really highlight the flavors!
Important Notes for Making Cheddar Cheese Puffs
My best advice for making the best cheese puffs would be to follow the directions in this recipe 100% and do not skip any steps. Every step is crucial to a quality result that is both light and fluffy. Read through the entire recipe before getting started!
Frequently Asked Questions
These delicious little cheese bites are essentially a cream puff dough that has cheese folded into it, making them super cheesy and fluffy!
The most common answer to this is that there was too much liquid when cooking. Be sure to follow this recipe exactly as it is stated!
You can store these puffs in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or stick them in the freezer for upwards of 3 months.
Simply stick them in a preheated oven for a few minutes to reheat!
Absolutely. Make them ahead of time and then reheat with the tip above when it comes time to serve.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese Puffs
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 4 eggs room temperature
- 1 cups sharp cheddar cheese plus more for topping (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan, add the water and butter. Heat the water over medium heat until it begins to boil.
- Add the salt, paprika, cayenne, and flour and stir to mix until a smooth ball begins to form.
- Stir in the shredded cheese.
- Transfer the dough to a bowl and add the eggs, one at a time, beating between each addition.
- Stir in the Dijon mustard.
- Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to scoop out the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle a small amount of shredded cheese on top of each puff, if desired.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown.
