Tough But Doable: DIY Cheesy Puffs

Making perfectly twisted, crescent-shaped or round cheese puffs, like the ones you find in commercial bags, at home can be quite challenging because they require specialized equipment like industrial extruders and high-temperature ovens. However, you can make a homemade version of cheese puffs that come close in flavor and texture using an oven. Here’s a recipe to get you started:

Homemade Cheese Puffs

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (you can also use a mix of cheddar and Parmesan)
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
• 1/4 cup powdered cheese (available at specialty stores or online, for extra cheesy flavor)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. Prepare the Dough (Pâte à Choux):
   • In a medium saucepan, combine water, milk, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
   • Once boiling, add the flour all at once, and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan (about 1-2 minutes).
3. Cool and Add Eggs:
   • Remove the pan from heat and let the dough cool for 5 minutes.
   • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. The dough will be sticky and thick.
   • Stir in the grated cheese until well combined. If using, add garlic powder and onion powder at this stage.
4. Form the Puffs:
   • Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip, or use a spoon.
   • Pipe or spoon small mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. The mounds should be about 1 inch in diameter.
5. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes at 425°F (220°C). Then, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, until the puffs are golden brown and crisp.
   • Avoid opening the oven door during baking to prevent the puffs from collapsing.
6. Season:
   • If you want extra cheesy flavor, you can toss the warm cheese puffs in powdered cheese immediately after baking.
7. Cool and Enjoy:
   • Let the cheese puffs cool on a wire rack. They will become crispier as they cool.
   • Enjoy your homemade cheese puffs!

Tips:

• Uniform Size: Try to make the puffs uniform in size for even baking.
• Crispiness: For extra crispiness, you can return the puffs to the oven for a few minutes after they have cooled slightly.
• Storage: Store in an airtight container to maintain crispiness. They are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated in the oven to restore some of their crunch.

This recipe will give you cheese puffs that are light, airy, and flavorful, though they may not be as perfectly shaped and uniformly textured as the commercial versions. Enjoy your homemade snack!