Ever had a cheese puff so delicious that you just can’t stop at one?
If you’re craving something cheesy, flaky, and entirely gluten-free, this recipe for Gluten Free Gougères will knock your socks off! These delightful French cheese puffs are not only super easy to make, but they come together quickly and are perfect for impressing guests (or yourself 😜). Plus, who can resist that lovely cheese aroma wafting through the kitchen?
Why make this recipe
Here’s the deal: Gougères are the perfect snack for just about any occasion.
- Easy to whip up: You don’t need to be a master chef or have a fancy kitchen. Just a bit of patience and a love for cheese will do!
- Versatile and fun: Serve them as an appetizer, snack, or party treat. They’re sure to disappear faster than your last slice of cake!
- Naturally gluten-free: Whether you’re gluten-sensitive or just trying to mix it up, this recipe satisfies without the gluten guilt.
So roll up those sleeves and let’s get puffing!
Ingredients
You don’t need fancy stuff — just these basics!
- 1 cup milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, chopped
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup gluten-free pastry flour
- 4 eggs (at room temperature)
- 4 ounces semi-hard cheese like Gruyère or sharp cheddar (grated)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper and set it aside.
- In a medium-size saucepan, place the milk, butter, and salt, then cook over medium heat until the butter melts and the mixture begins to simmer.
- Turn off the heat, add the pastry flour, and stir vigorously!
- Turn the heat back on to medium-low and keep stirring until the mixture pulls away from the pan and forms a ball, about 2 minutes. A thin film will form at the bottom of the pan.
- Set the mixture aside to cool until it’s no longer hot to the touch (about 3 minutes). We don’t want to scramble those eggs in the next step!
- Transfer half of the dough to a food processor or blender. Pour half of the eggs on top, then add the rest of the dough and the remaining eggs.
- Pulse until smooth, then add the cheese and pulse until the dough is completely blended.
- Transfer the dough to a large pastry bag fitted with a large, plain piping tip that’s about 1 inch in diameter.
- Pipe the dough onto the prepared baking sheet into about twenty mounds, each about 1 1/4 inches in diameter, leaving about 1 1/2 inches between each puff.
- With wet fingers, gently smooth the tops of the pastries.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven’s center and bake until lightly golden brown all over, about 18 minutes (or less for smaller puffs).
- For the most stable pastries, turn off the oven when they’re done baking, prop the door open, and let the pastries sit in the oven to cool for at least 10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
How to make Gluten Free Gougères Recipe (Overview)
You’ve got all the steps down, now let’s break it down a bit further!
- Heat the ingredients: Melting butter, salt, and milk creates a rich base for your gougères.
- Mix it up: Stir in that gluten-free flour until you reach that sweet, doughy consistency.
- Blend it good: Combine everything in the food processor to get that smooth texture perfection.
- Pipe and bake: Form those little puffs on the baking sheet, then into the oven they go until golden and airy.
Pro tip: Ensure your eggs are at room temperature — it makes for a fluffier gougère. Trust me on this one! 🥚
How to serve Gluten Free Gougères Recipe
These gougères are stars on their own, but why not give them some company?
- Pair with dips: Creamy dips like herb-infused cream cheese or spicy aioli elevate them to snack royalty.
- Add a charcuterie board: The texture contrasts beautifully with crunchy crackers and savory cured meats.
- Enjoy them warm: Nothing beats the aroma of freshly baked gougères filling the room!
Imagine biting into a warm, cheesy puff, the flavors melting together like a warm hug. Pure bliss!
How to store Gluten Free Gougères Recipe
You’ll want to devour these immediately, but if you have leftovers (lucky you!), they keep well!
- In the fridge: Enjoy them for up to 2 days. Just reheat in your oven (or toaster oven) at 350°F for about 5 minutes.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Pop them in the oven straight from the freezer for about 10 minutes at 375°F for best results! 🥳
Tips to make Gluten Free Gougères Recipe
- Watch your baking time: Puff size affects how long they’ll take to bake — smaller ones may need less time, so keep an eye on them!
- Experiment with cheese: Swap in your favorite cheeses for a unique flavor twist, like pepper jack for a spicy kick!
- Eggs matter: Use the freshest eggs possible; their richness can make a huge difference in flavor and texture.
- Don’t skip the cooling: Cooling the base before adding eggs is crucial to avoid a scrambled egg situation.
- Try garnishes: A sprinkle of herbs or a dash of paprika before baking adds a nice touch of color and flavor.
Variation
Feeling adventurous? Change up your gougères by:
- Making them vegan: Substitute eggs with a flaxseed mixture (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water = 1 egg) and use vegan butter.
- Adding herbs: Stir in fresh herbs like chives or rosemary for an aromatic twist.
- Experimenting with flavors: How about adding some truffle oil? Fancy, right?
FAQs
Can I make these ahead of time?
Sure! You can prepare the dough ahead, freeze it, and bake them when you’re ready. No need for last-minute stress!What’s the best way to freeze gougères?
Freeze them in a single layer until solid, then transfer to a bag or container. This prevents them from sticking together!Can I use regular flour instead of gluten-free?
Yep! Just substitute the gluten-free flour for regular flour if you don’t need them to be gluten-free. The results are still magical!
📌 Pin this recipe for your next cozy dinner night!
Gluten Free Gougères
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup milk Whole milk recommended for richness
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, chopped
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup gluten-free pastry flour
- 4 units eggs (at room temperature) Ensure eggs are at room temperature for fluffier texture
- 4 ounces semi-hard cheese like Gruyère or sharp cheddar (grated) Use your favorite cheese
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper.
- In a medium-size saucepan, combine the milk, butter, and salt. Cook over medium heat until the butter melts and the mixture simmers.
- Turn off the heat, add the pastry flour, and stir vigorously.
- Turn the heat back on to medium-low and keep stirring until the mixture pulls away from the pan and forms a ball, about 2 minutes.
- Set the mixture aside to cool until it’s not hot to the touch, around 3 minutes.
- Transfer half of the dough to a food processor. Add half of the eggs, then the remaining dough and the rest of the eggs.
- Pulse until smooth, then add the cheese and pulse again until fully blended.
- Transfer the dough to a pastry bag with a large, plain piping tip.
- Pipe the dough onto the prepared baking sheet into about twenty mounds, each about 1 1/4 inches in diameter.
- With wet fingers, gently smooth the tops of the pastries.
Baking
- Bake in the center of the oven until lightly golden brown, about 18 minutes.
- For the most stable pastries, after baking, turn off the oven, prop the door open, and let the pastries cool for at least 10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
Notes
Printable Recipe Card
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