Light, airy choux pastry puffs infused with Gruyère cheese and baked until golden—these savory French bites are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and perfect for entertaining. Often served as an appetizer or with wine, gougères are a timeless and elegant addition to any table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Classic French Gougères are the perfect marriage of rich cheese flavor and delicate pastry. Made with simple pantry staples and ready in under an hour, these savory puffs elevate any gathering with their refined taste and impressive presentation. Whether served warm from the oven or gently reheated, they remain irresistible crowd-pleasers for all occasions.
ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese (or Comté)
- Freshly ground black pepper or pinch of nutmeg (optional, for flavor)
directions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, water, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Once boiling, remove the pan from heat and quickly stir in the flour until fully incorporated.
- Return the pan to the heat and cook, stirring constantly, for 1–2 minutes until the dough forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides.
- Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and allow to cool for about 3 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the dough is smooth, glossy, and pipeable.
- Stir in the grated cheese and, if desired, a pinch of freshly ground black pepper or nutmeg.
- Using a spoon or piping bag, portion tablespoon-sized mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each puff.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until the gougères are puffed, deeply golden, and crisp. Avoid opening the oven door during baking to prevent deflation.
- Serve warm, or allow to cool and reheat briefly in the oven before serving.
Servings and timing
Servings: 24–30 gougères
Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 20–25 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Variations
- Herb-Infused: Add chopped chives, thyme, or rosemary to the dough.
- Spicy Version: Mix in a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika for a hint of heat.
- Mixed Cheese: Substitute part of the Gruyère with Parmesan, cheddar, or Emmental.
- Mini Sandwiches: Slice in half and fill with ham, smoked salmon, or herbed cream cheese.
- Nutty Accent: Add a sprinkle of finely chopped toasted nuts to the tops before baking.
storage/reheating
Store cooled gougères in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best texture, reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5–7 minutes until crisp. To freeze, place cooled puffs in a single layer in a freezer bag and store for up to 1 month. Reheat directly from frozen without thawing.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can refrigerate the choux dough for up to 1 day before baking. Let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before piping.
Why did my gougères deflate?
They may have been underbaked or the oven was opened too early. Ensure they are golden brown and firm before removing.
Can I freeze gougères?
Yes, freeze after baking and reheat from frozen for quick appetizers.
What cheese is best for gougères?
Gruyère is traditional, but Comté, Emmental, or sharp cheddar are also excellent.
Can I make them larger or smaller?
Yes, adjust the size as needed. Smaller puffs will need slightly less baking time; larger ones slightly more.
Do I need a stand mixer?
No, a wooden spoon or hand mixer works fine to incorporate the eggs into the dough.
Can gougères be served cold?
They are best warm but can be served at room temperature. Reheat for optimal texture.
What wine pairs well with gougères?
Dry white wines like Chardonnay or sparkling wine are classic pairings.
Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
It’s better to grate your own cheese for better melt and flavor, but pre-shredded can work in a pinch.
How do I prevent sticking?
Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to ensure easy removal after baking.
Conclusion
Classic French Gougères are a quintessential appetizer that combines elegance with comfort. With their airy texture and savory, cheesy richness, they’re sure to impress at any gathering. Simple to prepare and endlessly adaptable, they make an excellent addition to your culinary repertoire.
Print
Classic French Gougères (Cheese Puffs)
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 gougères 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Classic French gougères are savory choux pastry cheese puffs made with Gruyère, crisp on the outside and tender within—perfect as an elegant appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese (or Comté)
- Freshly ground black pepper or pinch of nutmeg (optional, for flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan, combine milk, water, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Remove from heat and quickly stir in the flour. Return to heat and stir vigorously until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides (about 1–2 minutes).
- Transfer dough to a bowl and let cool for 3 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each until dough is smooth and glossy.
- Stir in cheese and a pinch of pepper or nutmeg if using.
- Scoop or pipe tablespoon-sized mounds onto prepared trays, spacing slightly apart.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until puffed and golden. Avoid opening the oven early to prevent collapse.
- Serve warm, or reheat briefly in the oven to crisp before serving.
Notes
- Use a stand mixer for easier incorporation of eggs if desired.
- Gougères can be frozen after baking and reheated straight from the freezer.
- Experiment with different cheeses like Parmesan or aged cheddar for variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 gougère
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
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