Today’s Cheese Puffs are light, airy, and loaded with cheesy flavor that make them delicious and irresistible.
For these puffs, the dough is cooked on the stovetop first, then mixed with eggs and cheese before baking into golden little bites that are crisp on the outside and soft in the middle. Think cream puffs, but with cheesy centers!!
We love serving these warm as an appetizer, holiday side, brunch bite, or party snack because they feel fancy but are made with simple ingredients. They’re perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, showers, or any time you need a savory bite everyone will grab. They’re definitely a party favorite, and we think you’ll agree.
For more great appetizers, be sure to check out our Spinach Puffs, Sausage Cheese Balls, and Cranberry Brie Bites.
Why you’ll love it + Why it works:
- Party perfect: Great for holidays, brunches, parties, and appetizer spreads.
- Extra Easy: Made with simple ingredients you may already have.
- Cooking the Flour Mixture Creates Structure: Heating the dough helps it become thick enough to hold shape before baking.
- Adding Eggs One at a Time Makes it Smooth: Mixing well after each egg creates a shiny dough that bakes up puffed and airy.
Cheese Puffs Ingredients
- Milk (½ cup): Adds moisture and richness to the dough.
- Butter, cut into pieces (½ cup): Adds flavor, richness, and helps create the base of the dough.
- Sugar (½ tablespoon): Adds a tiny bit of balance without making the cheese puffs sweet.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Seasons the dough and brings out the cheese flavor.
- All-purpose flour (1 cup): Gives the dough structure so the puffs hold their shape.
- Eggs (4 large): Helps the dough puff in the oven and create the light, airy texture.
- Grated cheddar cheese (1 cup): Adds bold cheesy flavor. Other cheeses can be used as well.
- Grated gruyere cheese (½ cup): Adds nutty, savory flavor and makes the puffs taste extra special.
How to Make Cheese Puffs
PREP. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone liners.
DOUGH. Add the milk, butter, sugar, and salt to a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.
Remove the milk mixture from the heat, and add the flour. Stir until the mixture is thick and there are no flour pockets remaining. Return the mixture to the heat and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Move the hot dough mixture to a food processor or the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix for a minute or two to allow steam to escape.
EGGS. With the mixer running, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, to form a shiny and smooth dough. Fold in the grated cheese by hand.
SCOOP. Using a medium cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop the dough into rounded mounds on the prepared baking sheets, spacing one inch apart.
BAKE. Place the pans in the oven, reduce the heat to 375°, and bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. If you are baking pans on multiple shelves, rotate the pans halfway through baking to ensure even browning.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Stir the milk mixture often while heating so it does not scorch.
- After adding the flour, make sure there are no dry flour pockets before cooking the dough again.
- Let the hot dough mix for a minute or two before adding eggs so steam can escape.
- Fold the cheese in by hand so it stays evenly distributed without overmixing the dough.
Cheese Puffs Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup butter, cut into pieces
- ½ tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated gruyere cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone liners.
- Add the milk, butter, sugar, and salt to a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.
- Remove the milk mixture from the heat, and add the flour. Stir until the mixture is thick and there are no flour pockets remaining. Return the mixture to the heat and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Move the hot dough mixture to a food processor or the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix for a minute or two to allow steam to escape. With the mixer running, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, to form a shiny and smooth dough. Fold in the grated cheese by hand.
- Using a medium cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop the dough into rounded mounds on the prepared baking sheets, spacing one inch apart. Place the pans in the oven, reduce the heat to 375°, and bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. If you are baking pans on multiple shelves, rotate the pans halfway through baking to ensure even browning.
Notes
- Stir the milk mixture often while heating so it does not scorch.
- After adding the flour, make sure there are no dry flour pockets before cooking the dough again.
- Let the hot dough mix for a minute or two before adding eggs so steam can escape.
- Fold the cheese in by hand so it stays evenly distributed without overmixing the dough.
- Make-ahead tip: bake the cheese puffs earlier in the day, then rewarm in the oven before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Line a pan with parchment paper and scoop the dough onto the pan.
Place the pan into the freezer until they are solid, then transfer them to a freezer Ziploc. Store them in the freezer until ready to bake.
Bake them straight out of the freezer, just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Keep leftovers in an airtight container for a few days or in the fridge for about a week.
Freeze for 8-10 weeks. Reheat them in the microwave or in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the desired amount of Cheese Puffs on a baking sheet and heat for 3-5 minutes.
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This recipe was first shared March, 2021.
Yum – these are family favorite. Great recipe easy to make and I love how fluffy they turned out!
these are the best little pieces of heaven, thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe
Loved these cheese puffs! Everyone went crazy for them at the Super Bowl!
Very similar to my Cheese Puffs. After these are frozen, can they be cooked in an air fryer? I don’t have enough oven space & air fryer would be handy to cook them. Thinking of lowering temp to 400 or lower.
I have never tried them in the air fryer. But you could certainly give it a try! You’ll have to let us know how they turn out if you do.
You will love these puffs of cheese. Very tasty.
I always appreciate the tips and tricks that you provide in making sure your recipes turn out the best when I make them at home. Thanks!
These cheese puffs are the best! They came out crispy on the outside and very moist and cheesy inside. It was so good and will definitely be one of our favorites!
I’m so happy you enjoyed them so much! Thanks for sharing with us how they turned out!
Yum! These look amazing and so tasty! My family is going to love this recipe! So excited to make these with my daughter!
These cream puffs are AMAZING! The shell is so light and delicious with the BEST filling! The ultimate dessert recipe.
I’m so glad you liked them as much as we do! It’s one of my favorite desserts. 🙂
Ok, so these are the most addicting little things! I only wanted a couple & ate way more than I should!! They are like little pillows of heaven!