Gougères are delightful French cheese puffs made from pâte à choux – the same dough used for éclairs and cream puffs, combined with grated cheese, typically Gruyère or Comté. These light, airy bites are crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, and full of cheesy, savory flavor. Whether served as an appetizer, party snack, or paired with wine, gougères never fail to impress.
Originating from the Burgundy region of France, gougères are often enjoyed during wine tastings or festive gatherings. Their delicate structure and rich taste make them a perfect pairing with both white and red wines, especially a crisp Chablis or a light Pinot Noir. Despite their elegant appearance, gougères are surprisingly easy to make at home.
The dough begins with a simple mix of water, butter, flour, and eggs. Once smooth and glossy, it’s enriched with a generous helping of grated cheese and a touch of salt and pepper. You can also add nutmeg or cayenne for a subtle kick. The dough is piped or spooned onto a baking sheet and baked until puffed and golden.
Gougères can be served warm or at room temperature and are delicious plain or filled with savory spreads like herbed cream cheese or pâté. They also freeze beautifully, making them an excellent make-ahead option for entertaining.
Elegant yet unfussy, gougères are the perfect example of how French cuisine elevates simple ingredients into something extraordinary. They’re a wonderful way to bring a taste of France into your home, no passport required.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 eggs large,
- 1 1/2 cup Gruyere cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small saucepan, bring water, butter, and salt to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir vigorously until mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat.
- Beat eggs in one at a time, beating well after each addition; beat in cheese.
- Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of batter onto prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in preheated oven until puffed and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm.
Nutrition
😐 I expected a lot more. They were just ok.
They looked fancy but were super simple! Made them in no time!
Yummy! But I used cheddar instead of Gruyere, and they still rocked!
These were a huge hit at the party! Fluffy and cheesy, just like I love them. Will make again!
I burnt mine kinda. Maybe my oven runs hot? 🙈
Yeah, ovens can be tricky! Maybe try lowering the temp next time? Good luck!
Gougères? Never head of it before this. What’s cheese puffs?
Wow, I cannot believe how quickly they baked! Perfect for my family dinner. Thanks!
SO GOOD!! I added some spices and they were amazing!! 🧀
I didn’t have Gruyere so used Cheddar… Does that count? They still puffed up but tasted weird.
Weird taste? Maybe the cheddar was too sharp? I think it’s worth trying again with Gruyere.
Cheddar is great, but it won’t be the same as Gruyere! I guess it still worked out for you though.
Really easy to make! The cheese makes them so flavorful. Definitely a keeper!
I agree! The cheese really does take them to the next level. Great for parties too!
I tried this and they didn’t puff like yours. Maybe I did something wrong? How can I fix it next time?
IDK, they didn’t puff up for me. Followed the recipe exact, but it just turned into cheesy pancakes.
So easy to make! I didn’t think I could do it, but they came out perfect.
These are the best! I made them for a party and they were gone in seconds. So yummy!
Easy to make but took forever to rise. Idk about these.
I had the same issue with rising! Maybe the eggs weren’t quite at room temp?
I think I did somethin wrong, mine burnt on the bottom. Ugh, how do you avoid that??
I had the same problem! Make sure your oven is at the right temperature. Sometimes the oven can be off, which makes things burn.
Maybe you left them in too long? These things can go from perfect to burnt real quick! Just keep an eye on them next time.
These gougères are to die for! So cheesy and fluffy! Would definitely make again.
I love gougères, but I used cheddar because that’s all I had and they were still good.
Gougères? More like gooey mess. My kids wouldn’t eat it, they said it looked funny. Next time, maybe just stick to pizza.
I don’t get the hype. Mine didn’t puff at all – they just flattened out. What did I do wrong? 🙁
I had a hard time getting them to puff up properly. Maybe I did something wrong?
Yummy! Took some to a party and they were gone in minutes. Everyone loved them!
That’s awesome to hear! They’re always a hit at gatherings. What kind of cheese did you use?
They don’t look like the pictures I saw online. Mine came out kinda flat and sad. What did I do wrong?
Maybe you didn’t bake them long enough or the oven wasn’t hot enough? That happened to me once. Keep trying!
Didn’t rise at all! I must’ve messed something up… but they tasted okay.
Don’t worry, it happens! Maybe try beating the eggs longer next time? They can help with the rise!
I don’t know, man. This seems complicated. I ain’t a chef lol.
These turned out amazing! Fluffy and just cheesy enough. Will definitely make again!