Description
These warm, cheesy bites are perfect for quick snacks or gatherings, made with a simple choux-style dough loaded with sharp cheddar cheese.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 stick unsalted butter (8 tablespoons)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs (Use room temperature if possible.)
Flavoring Ingredients
- 1.5 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (Use freshly grated cheese for best results.)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Pinch cayenne pepper (optional) (Add for a little kick.)
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, and salt. Heat over medium until the butter melts and the mixture starts to boil.
- Add all the flour at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the dough pulls away from the sides and forms a ball, about 1 minute.
- Remove from heat and let the dough cool for 2 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating each egg fully into the dough before adding the next until the dough is glossy and smooth.
- Stir in the grated cheese, black pepper, and cayenne, mixing until even.
Bake the Puffs
- Use two spoons to drop tablespoon-sized mounds of dough on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them.
- Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 10 minutes. Then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) without opening the door and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes until deep golden.
- Turn off the oven and let the puffs rest in the warm oven for 5 minutes to firm up.
- Remove to a rack to cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
To store leftovers, let the puffs cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 1 day. For longer storage, freeze them. To reheat, warm in a 350°F oven for 6 to 8 minutes from room temperature.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Cuisine: American, Comfort Food