Gougères – Savory French Cheese Puffs
Light, Airy, and Cheesy – A Classic from Burgundy
Gougères are elegant French cheese puffs made from pâte à choux dough enriched with grated cheese (traditionally Gruyère). Crisp on the outside and soft inside, they’re the perfect appetizer for wine tastings, holidays, or any gourmet gathering.
⏱️ Recipe Overview
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Servings: 20–25 puffs
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Prep Time: 15 min
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Cook Time: 25 min
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Total Time: 40 min
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Difficulty: Easy
🛒 Ingredients
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1/2 cup (120ml) water
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1/2 cup (120ml) milk
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85g (6 tbsp) unsalted butter
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1/2 tsp salt
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Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
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1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
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4 large eggs
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1 cup (100g) grated Gruyère cheese (plus extra for topping)
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Black pepper (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
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Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking tray with parchment.
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Make the dough:
In a saucepan, heat water, milk, butter, salt, and nutmeg until just boiling. Remove from heat, stir in flour until it forms a dough ball. Return to heat and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly. -
Cool slightly, then beat in eggs one at a time.
The dough should become smooth and shiny. Mix in grated cheese and black pepper. -
Pipe or spoon onto baking tray.
Space evenly. Optionally sprinkle with more cheese. -
Bake 22–25 min until puffed and golden.
Do not open the oven during the first 15 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.
🎯 Gourmet Tip
Add a pinch of dry mustard or cayenne to the dough for a subtle kick. They pair beautifully with Champagne or white Burgundy 🥂