Cheddar and Bacon Cheese Puffs make a delicious, quick, and easy appetizer or snack. This a great make-ahead and freezer-friendly appetizer recipe for light, buttery, and delicious cheese puffs.
Preheat oven to 425º F. Line baking sheet pans with parchment paper or silicon baking mats.
Bring milk (or water), butter, and salt to a rolling boil in a medium, heavy- bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Stirring vigorously, add in all of the flour, and cook until the dough begins to pull away from the edges of the saucepan. Remove dough from heat and transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer and allow to cool for approximately two to three minutes. Alternately, you can leave in the saucepan and use a hand mixer, if desired. Add in eggs, one at a time, beating in completely after each addition. Stir in cheese, bacon pieces, black pepper, and red pepper, making sure all ingredients are well-combined.
Scoop tablespoon pieces onto baking sheet. Using a damp finger or back of a spoon, press down any pieces of dough that are sticking up to prevent them from overbrowning. Bake 25-30 minutes, until puffs have turned a golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
Serve immediately or allow to cool completely, place in airtight container or zip top freezer bags and freeze up to three months.