Sesame Free Classic Cheese Gougères
These airy French cheese puffs are the kind of appetizer that disappears from the platter before you even sit 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 sprinkled on top for a golden, cheesy crust. A whisper of nutmeg and optional Dijon mustard round out the flavor in the most elegant way. For anyone navigating sesame allergies or sensitivities, this recipe is naturally free of the ingredient without any substitutions required — no tahini, no sesame oil, no seeds hiding in a spice blend. The real magic happens in the oven, where steam trapped inside the dough puffs each little round into a hollow, crisp shell that's tender at the center. They're best served warm, straight from the rack, when that contrast between the crackling exterior and the soft, cheesy interior is at its peak.
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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.
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