Looking for the ultimate party appetizer? These dairy-free gougère bites deliver all the cheesy goodness without the dairy!
Gougères: the name might sound intimidating, but these delightful French appetizers are surprisingly easy to make. They’re the perfect bite-sized treat to impress your guests, whether it’s a holiday gathering or a casual get-together.
I first discovered gougères through a Martha Stewart recipe back in my twenties when hosting Christmas dinner. They were a hit then, and they continue to be a crowd-pleaser even now, decades later! These savory cheese puffs are always a welcome addition to any appetizer spread.
When we throw parties, a diverse selection of appetizers is key to keeping everyone happy. Some of our go-to options include Dairy-Free Spinach Dip, Antipasto Skewers, and Ceviche-Style Tequila Shrimp. But these gougère bites always steal the show!
Whether you’re hosting a special occasion party or a casual family gathering, these bite-sized savory appetizers are a guaranteed success. Their cheesy flavor and light, airy texture make them utterly irresistible.
What are Gougères? The Ultimate Cheese Puff Explained
Don’t let the fancy name fool you – gougères are essentially delectable cheese puffs! Imagine light, airy, pillowy puffs of dough infused with cheesy flavor. When my kids ask what they are, I simply call them “cheese puffs,” and that’s essentially what they are: elevated, savory cheese puffs.
Why You’ll Love This Dairy-Free Gougère Recipe
I make gougère bites for nearly every party we host. Here’s why these French appetizers are perfect for entertaining a crowd:
- Make-Ahead Magic: They can be made up to two months ahead of time! This makes them perfect for tackling during the less busy times to simply reheat for any event. It’s a fantastic recipe to prepare well in advance, especially for the busy holiday season.
- Flavorful Bites: These bite-sized bundles of cheesy (dairy-free!) joy pack an incredible amount of flavor into one small morsel. The combination of the airy dough and savory cheese is simply irresistible.
- Perfect Finger Food: Gougères are the ideal finger food for mingling and snacking. They are so easy to enjoy, and no plates are required!
- Delicious Hot or Cold: They taste amazing both straight from the oven and at room temperature. This makes them incredibly versatile for parties where you might not be able to keep everything piping hot.
How to Make Dairy-Free Gougères: A Step-by-Step Guide
You’ll find a complete list of ingredients and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. But let’s walk through the process with these step-by-step photos and brief instructions to show you just how easy it is to make these delicious appetizers.
I’ve tested this recipe extensively, using both regular dairy products and dairy-free alternatives. The result is always a batch of deliciously addictive gougères, and I love that it’s an easy 1:1 substitution across the board. So, whether you’re dairy-free or not, you can enjoy these amazing cheese puffs!
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper. Set them aside.
- In a medium saucepan over high heat, combine almond milk, water, vegan butter, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the flour and stir with a wooden spoon to combine the ingredients and form a dough. The dough will soon start to form a ball and pull away from the sides of the pan. Continue stirring until the dough is smooth and cohesive.
- Transfer the dough to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or use a large bowl and mix with a wooden spoon). With the mixer on low speed, beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. The dough should become shiny and smooth.
- Gently mix in the dairy-free cheese shreds, chopped chives, salt, and pepper until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.
- Spoon the dough into a large pastry bag fitted with a #4 pastry tip (or use a plastic ziplock bag with one corner snipped off to create a piping bag). Pipe approximately 1 tablespoon of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- In a small bowl, whisk together one large egg yolk with 1 teaspoon of water. Use a small pastry brush to gently brush the egg yolk wash onto the tops of each piped gougère.
- Bake in the preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 24-26 minutes, rotating and switching the baking sheets halfway through the baking time to ensure even browning. Allow the gougères to cool slightly on the baking sheets at room temperature before serving.
The egg wash before baking gives the gougère bites a beautiful golden shine. If you prefer to make this recipe egg-free, you can skip this step. Alternatively, you can melt a small amount of dairy-free butter and lightly brush the tops of the gougères with the melted butter instead. However, my personal preference is the egg wash for the best color and shine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Making Gougères
Absolutely! If you want to make these well in advance, pipe the gougère dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets and place them in the freezer. Once the dough is frozen solid, transfer the gougères to freezer bags or freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to two months. When ready to bake, simply bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Yes! To reheat baked gougères that have not been frozen, place them in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through.
More Delicious Appetizer Recipes to Try
- Black Bean Corn Dip
- Crispy Rice Paper Dumplings
- Sesame Crackers
- Prawn BBQ Skewers
Gougère Bites: Irresistible Dairy-Free
Cheese Puff Appetizers
8 votes
Marlynn Schotland
15
minutes
25
minutes
40