Spicy Cheese Bites
These classic French nibbles are devilishly moreish, making them an ideal choice for a starter, snack, or supper. The recipe combines gruyère and parmesan in a choux-style dough, which is then deep-fried until perfectly crisp and golden. They are quick to prepare, taking around 25 minutes, and yield approximately 24 delicious bites. Serve them hot for a truly irresistible treat.
Ingredients
- 85g plain flour
- 50g butter chopped
- 50g mature gruyère grated
- 25g fresh parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), finely grated
- 2 eggs well beaten
- 1l vegetable oil for deep frying
Method
- Sift the plain flour with a pinch of salt into a mixing bowl. Place a non-stick saucepan over heat with 150ml cold water and the chopped butter. Bring this to a boil while stirring until the butter has fully melted. Add all the sifted flour at once and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture is smooth and pulls away from the pan's sides.
- Take the pan off the heat and beat in the grated gruyère along with half of the parmesan. Allow this to cool for 5 mins. Slowly incorporate the beaten eggs, mixing until you achieve a smooth, thick consistency that can be spooned. you might not require all the egg. This mixture can be left to stand for up to 2 hrs without refrigeration.
- To serve, pour 1l of vegetable oil into a deep-fat fryer or pan and heat it to 180C. Use two teaspoons to form neat dollops of the mixture and gently lower them into the hot oil. Cook 6-8 dollops at a time for 3-4 mins until they are crisp and golden, submerging them to ensure even colour. Reheat the oil between batches as needed. Drain the bites on paper towels, then scatter with the remaining parmesan. Enjoy while hot.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories103 kcal
Fat10 g
Saturates3 g
Carbs3 g
Protein2 g
Sodium40 mg
Recipe details
Skill levelMore effort
CategorySnack
Cuisinefrench
DietVegetarian
