Description
These Cheddar Cheese Puffs are light, airy, and packed with sharp cheddar flavor. Perfect as a savory snack or appetizer, they feature a crisp exterior and soft, cheesy interior made from a simple dough of flour, butter, eggs, and cheese. Baked to golden perfection, they’re easy to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Liquid and Fat
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Other
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 large eggs
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prepare for baking.
- Boil water and butter. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the water and unsalted butter to a boil. Stir in the salt and optional garlic powder, then remove the pan from heat.
- Make the dough. Quickly add all the flour to the boiling mixture. Stir vigorously until the dough forms a thick ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Let this dough cool for about 5 minutes to prevent cooking the eggs when added.
- Incorporate eggs and cheese. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing each thoroughly before adding the next. Then fold in the shredded cheddar cheese and baking powder until the batter is well combined. Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Portion the batter. Use a tablespoon to drop dollops of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow for puffing during baking.
- Bake the puffs. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the puffs are golden brown and have puffed up nicely. They should have a crisp exterior and soft, airy interior.
- Cool and serve. Remove the puffs from the oven and let them cool slightly on the baking sheet. Serve warm for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a stronger garlic flavor, don’t omit the garlic powder.
- Make sure the dough cools a bit before adding eggs to avoid scrambling them.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for maximum flavor impact.
- You can add herbs like chives or thyme to the dough for a flavor twist.
- Serve these puffs warm for the best texture; they can be reheated gently in the oven.
