Bacon Parmesan Gougeres (Cheese Puffs)
Bacon Parmesan Gougeres - cheesy and savory Gougeres or French cheese puffs recipe. Every bite is loaded with bacon bits and Parmesan cheese, so good!
- Prep time
- 10 min
- Cook time
- 25 min
- Yield
- 15 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 4 strips thick-sliced bacon (or 4 slices Canadian Bacon)
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
- 1-1/4 cups bread flour (sifted)
- 3 large eggs
- 1-1/4 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- 1
Heat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-low heat until crisp but not too dark. If using Canadian bacon, dice it into small pieces. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and reserve 1/4 cup of the rendered fat. When the bacon is cool, chop it to make 1/2 cup.
- 2
Bring the milk, 1/2 cup of water, the butter, and the reserved bacon fat to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the salt, onion powder, sugar, and cayenne.
- 3
Add the flour and, using a wooden spoon, stir very quickly in one direction. The flour will quickly absorb the liquid and form a dough. Continue stirring to cook the flour and simmer off more of the moisture until the dough pulls away from the sides of the saucepan, about one to two additional minutes.
- 4
Transfer the dough to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on medium speed until each is incorporated into the dough, which will change from shiny to sticky as the eggs are added. On low speed, stir in 1 cup of the Parmesan and the bacon (or Canadian bacon) until just combined.
- 5
Using a small ice cream scoop (about 2 inches [5 cm] in diameter), scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Top the gougeres with an equal amount of the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan.
- 6
Bake until puffed and golden, about 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm.