Gougères — Ad-Free Recipe, Ingredients First

Gougères are pâte à choux with cheese folded in, so the technique of the dough matters more than any ingredient. You cook the flour paste on the stove, then beat in eggs one at a time until it reaches a glossy ribbon; too much egg and it spreads, too little and it stays dense.

Vegetarian

Contains dairy · eggs · gluten

Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.

Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

The Ingredients — and where to get them

Cook for 30 puffs

Gruyere

Grated fine and beaten into the dough; a nutty aged gruyere carries the flavor.

1.5 cups

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Flour

Cooked into the paste that gives choux its structure; measure it exactly.

1 cup

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Butter

Melted into the water base at the start of the choux.

6 tbsp

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Eggs

Beaten in one at a time until the dough falls in a glossy ribbon; buy good ones.

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Milk

Half the liquid, for a slightly richer, more tender puff.

1/2 cup

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The Rundown

Greedometer ●●●●● A fair little treat

A reasonable little indulgence.

EffortSome doing

Cook it with

Air fryerSheet pan

The Method

Cook the pasteBring milk, water, and butter to a boil, dump in the flour, and stir over heat until the dough pulls from the pan and films the bottom.
Beat in eggsCool 3 minutes, then beat in eggs one at a time until the dough is smooth and falls in a glossy ribbon.
Fold in cheeseStir in most of the gruyere, reserving some to top each puff.
PipePipe walnut-sized mounds onto parchment, top with the reserved cheese, and smooth any peaks with a wet finger.
BakeBake at 400F for 25 minutes until deep golden and hollow-sounding; do not open the oven early or they collapse.

The Toolkit

Piping bag · Wooden spoon · Sheet pans · Box grater · Parchment paper

Straight Answers

Can you make Gougères in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — bake it in a small pan or dish that fits the basket, at about 25°F below the recipe temperature. Air fryers run hot and fast, so check it early; no flipping needed.

Can you freeze Gougères? — Yes

Yes — freeze it well-wrapped, then reheat or toast straight from frozen. Frost or glaze after thawing.

Can you make Gougères ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — bake it a day or two ahead; it keeps well-wrapped at room temperature and freezes cleanly. Add any frosting or glaze close to serving.

Is Gougères gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

Is Gougères vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy and egg. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.

Community Notes

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Gougères, and where to source it