Legume Free Classic Cheese Gougères
These airy French cheese puffs are one of those appetizers that disappear from the tray before you even set it down. Built on a classic choux base of butter, milk, water, and flour, they get their irresistible savory depth from a generous amount of finely grated Gruyère folded right into the dough — plus a little more melted onto the tops as they bake. The result is a shell that's deeply golden and crisp on the outside, with a soft, almost custardy hollow interior that practically melts on your tongue. For anyone navigating legume-free eating, these are a genuinely satisfying party bite — no bean flours, no chickpea-based thickeners, no hidden legume derivatives anywhere in the mix. Just eggs, dairy, butter, and a touch of nutmeg doing all the heavy lifting. The technique looks impressive but is very approachable: cook the dough on the stovetop, beat in the eggs one at a time, pipe and bake. Serve them warm within a couple of hours and watch the whole batch vanish.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ⅛ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup gruyère cheese, finely grated, divided
- 1 tsp dijon mustard (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- 2
Combine the water, milk, butter, salt, pepper, and nutmeg in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter is fully melted and the mixture comes to a full boil.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!