Until recently, hearing the term "cheese puffs" would have conjured up memories of childhood trips to the beach, complete with a bag of Cheetos, among more heathy snacks like fresh fruit and tuna sandwiches. But recently, I discovered that homemade cheese puffs made with real cheese not only exist, but are easy to make and delicious too!
For more bite-sized Spanish snacks, try my favorite recipes for chorizo stuffed mushrooms and bacon wrapped dates.
Introduction
I found this recipe for Spanish cheese puffs in one of my go-to Spanish cookbooks, ¡Delicioso! The Regional Cooking of Spain by Penelope Casas. Although the book was published all the way back in 1996, I love Casas' interpretation of Spain and Spanish cuisine. I'd never encountered a Spanish recipe for cheese puffs before, but reading the ingredients convinced me that Penelope knew what she was talking about.
A winning combination of creamy tetilla cheese, toasted sesame seeds, and sweet honey makes these easy snacks irresistible. It's the perfect tapa to make in advance and fry up at the last minute. I recommend you make extra because they disappear quickly!
Ingredients
Curious what you need to make these Spanish cheese puffs? Fortunately, this only takes a handful of things! Let's talk about the key ingredients for this fun tapa.
- Cheese: I use a blend of creamy cow's milk cheese called tetilla, and a firm, aged sheep's milk cheese called Manchego. If you can't find tetilla where you live, I recommend substituting with mozzarella; a great swap for Manchego is Parmesan.
- Sesame Seeds: You'll toast some sesame seeds to go inside the cheese puffs for a nutty crunch, and some will go on the outside and get toasted when the puffs are fried. So yummy!
- Honey: Drizzle some liquid honey on the cheese puffs once they're fried, and you'll be in for an amazing treat!
- Olive Oil: You'll need good quality extra virgin olive oil for frying the cheese puffs. Not only is this oil healthy, but it's also the traditional Spanish choice and makes this tapa extra delicious!
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Spanish Cheese Puffs
If you’d like to see the full ingredients and instructions, scroll to the bottom of the post for the printable recipe card.
- Spread the sesame seeds on a foil-lined baking tray and toast them at 350°F (175°C) until golden, about 5-7 minutes. (image 1)
- Meanwhile, combine the flour, baking powder, paprika, and salt in a bowl. (image 2)
- In a separate bowl that's clean and free from grease, beat the egg whites until they hold stiff peaks. Be careful not to overmix, or they will look dry. (image 3)
- Add the grated cheeses, egg yolks, sesame seeds, and the flour mixture to the egg whites and stir until well combined. (image 4)
- Drop the batter in spoonfuls onto a foil-lined baking sheet and chill for at least 30 minutes. (image 5)
- Once the cheese puffs have chilled, heat the olive oil in a skillet. Drop a small piece of bread into the oil to test the temperature; it should brown quickly but not burn. Roll each cheese puff in raw sesame seeds and fry them until golden in the hot oil, about 1-2 minutes. (image 6)
- Drain the fried cheese puffs on paper towels to catch the excess grease. (image 7)
- Place in a serving dish and drizzle with honey. Enjoy these Spanish cheese puffs right away! (image 8)
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can mix up the dough for the cheese puffs well in advance and simply chill it in the fridge until you're ready to fry them. It's such a simple and delicious tapa to make ahead!
I like to use a mixture of creamy tetilla cheese and Spanish Manchego. Tetilla is a creamy cow's milk cheese that's soft and melts easily, and is produced in the region of Galicia. Manchego is a firm, aged Spanish cheese made from sheep's milk in the region of La Mancha, and has a more robust flavor.
If you can't find these cheeses in your area, I recommend substituting the tetilla with mozzarella and the Manchego with Parmesan.
Yes, you can! I haven't tested them in the oven, but you can try baking them at 375°F (190°C) until golden brown and crispy. They won't be as flavorful as fried ones, but they will be healthier!
Serve
These Spanish cheese puffs with sesame seeds and honey are a perfect snack or tapa enjoyed on their own, but are even nicer when accompanied by other Spanish tapas. I recommend serving them along with my classic Spanish tortilla, spinach with pine nuts, or this chorizo a la sidra.
Expert Tips
- Can't find Spanish tetilla or Manchego? Substitute the tetilla with another soft cow's milk cheese like mozzarella, and swap the Manchego for another firm, aged cheese like Parmesan.
- Grate the cheeses yourself for the best flavor and texture. Pre-grated cheese doesn't melt well, and often has a gritty texture.
- Avoid over-beating the egg whites; stop when they hold stiff peaks but before they look dry.
Other Spanish Recipes with Cheese
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Homemade Cheese Puffs with Sesame Seeds and Honey
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds plus extra for coating the puffs
- â…” cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon sweet Spanish paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs separated
- 3 ounces tetilla or another creamy cow's milk cheese grated
- ¼ cup cured Manchego cheese grated
- olive oil for frying
- honey for serving
Instructions
- Spread 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds on a foil-lined cookie sheet. Toast the sesame seeds by baking them at 350°F (175°C) until golden brown and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Mix the flour, baking powder, paprika, and salt together in a medium-sized bowl.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. If you lift the whisk from the egg whites, the tips should point straight up without curling.
- Add the grated cheeses, egg yolks, toasted sesame seeds, and flour mixture to the egg whites and stir until well combined.
- Drop the batter by spoonfuls onto a large foil-lined cookie sheet and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat the oil until very hot, but not smoking. Test the temperature by frying a small piece of bread; it should quickly brown, but not burn.
- Roll each cheese puff in the raw sesame seeds and then deep fry until they're golden brown, about 1-2 minutes each. Drain the cheese puffs on paper towels for about one minute to absorb excess oil.
- Place the cheese puffs in a serving dish and drizzle honey on top until soaked through. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Can't find Spanish tetilla or Manchego? Substitute the tetilla with another soft cow's milk cheese like mozzarella, and swap the Manchego for another firm, aged cheese like Parmesan.
- Grate the cheeses yourself for the best flavor and texture. Pre-grated cheese doesn't melt well, and often has a gritty texture.
- Avoid over-beating the egg whites; stop when they hold stiff peaks but before they look dry.
Nutrition
Photography by Giulia Verdinelli
Giulia
My brother inhaled 15 of these the moment they came out of the pan.
Luckily I made more so I could also taste some too haha
They are absolutely delicious and will be making them again for sure!
Thank you
Danielle
Can these be made ahead of time and reheated? Or perhaps frozen and reheated?
Lauren Aloise
They're best served right away since they're so delicate! I haven't tried freezing though.
Cameron Wonch
I made 25 in one serving so
Cody
How many cheese puff things are made in one serving?
Lauren Aloise
If I recall correctly about 15! But it will depend on the size you choose.
Emily
These sound yummy. I can relate to eating the whole bag of Cheetos. Thanks for re-directing me to Penelope Casas' book, Delicioso. I rarely look at it. I have all her books, the most frequently used are The Foods and Wines of Spain and Tapas: The Little Dishes of Spain (on my second copy; a friend noticed that my first copy was falling apart!). Did you know that Penelope Casas passed away in 2013? You must get her last book, 1000 Spanish Recipes. QEPD
Lauren Aloise
Hi Emily, thanks so much for the comment. I don't have her last book-- I'll have to get it! I remember reading about her death, very sad. She was a pioneer in making Spanish cuisine accessible in the US!