on Aug 27, 2013, Updated May 27, 2023 353 Comments
What are Cheese Puffs?
Cheddar and Bacon Cheese Puffs are based on a French pastry known as gougeres. Made from an easy choux pastry dough, you can customize the flavor of cheese puffs by using different cheeses such as Gruyere, Emmenthal, or sharp cheddar, as we do in this recipe. We’ve also customized our recipe to include cooked bacon that has been coarsely chopped. Cheese puffs are delicious straight out of the oven served as an appetizer or snack or served with a bowl of soup or a salad. We also love to freeze them and then warm them for a quick nibble.
How to Make Cheese Puffs Recipe
Ingredients
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
Milk – you can also use water in place of the milk Butter – add richness and flavor to the cheese puffs. Salt Flour – all-purpose flour works perfectly in this recipe. Eggs – Room temperature eggs mix more evenly in the cheese puff batter. You can also reserve about a tablespoon of the egg and mix it with a tablespoon to brush on the cheese puffs prior to baking them as an egg wash. Cheddar cheese – I prefer to use grated cheese in this recipe. Cooked bacon – coarsely chopped bacon adds so much flavor to every bite of these cheese puffs. Black pepper Cayenne pepper – optional but highly recommended
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat the oven to 475º F and prepare the baking sheet according to the recipe instructions. Bring milk (or water), butter, and salt to a rolling boil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Vigorously stir in the flour and cook until the mixture begins to pull away from the sides of the pan. Remove from the heat and beat in the eggs one at a time with a hand mixer (or transfer to a stand mixer). Stir in the cheese, bacon, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Scoop tablespoons of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Use a damp finger or the back of a spoon and press down any batter sticking up to prevent it from over-browning. Bake according to the recipe instructions below. Remove from the oven, cool for a few moments, and enjoy!
You can whip up these Cheddar and Bacon Puffs in less than 30 minutes and then watch them disappear even more quickly. Since they always seem to be a crowd-favorite, I highly recommend making two or three batches of these babies so you have plenty to freeze for later.
Storage Tips
To make ahead. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. To freeze. Cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Make them soon, stockpile a few dozen for super easy entertaining later. You’ll thank me. Promise. Here’s my Cheddar and Bacon Puffs Recipe. Enjoy!Robyn xo
