A gluten-free ham and cheddar puff is one of the best breakfast or snack treats served to accompany an appetizer. These cheesy puffs could be prepared with gluten-free flour, ham, and cheddar, which provides a crispy outside and soft inside in every single bite.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup gluten-free flour blend (make sure it contains xanthan gum, or add 1/2 tsp separately)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup finely chopped cooked ham
• 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Arrange a baking sheet and line with parchment paper or grease lightly with butter.

2. Combine the Dry Ingredients
Put the gluten-free flour mix, baking powder, salt, and black pepper in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Mix it until it’s well incorporated.

3.Prepare the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk the beaten eggs. Add melted butter and milk. Whisk the contents until they are well mixed.

4.Combine the Mixtures
The dry ingredients are gradually mixed with the wet ingredients. You will notice that the dough is thick but very smooth in the finished product.

5.Add Ham and Cheddar
Add the shredded cheddar cheese and chopped ham into the dough. Mix the dough until the cheese and ham are evenly dispersed in the batter.

6. Form Puffs
Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the pre-set baking sheet, allowing 2 inches between each puff.

7. Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the puffs are golden brown and have lightly crispy on the outside. They must puff up really well in the oven.

8. Cool and Serve
Let it cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool down completely. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if you want.

Nutrition Information (per serving, based on 12 puffs)

Calories: 130kcal
Protein: 7g
Carbohydrates: 7g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Sodium: 250mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 1g

Preparation:

Store: Gluten-free ham and cheddar puffs can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or kept in the fridge up to 5 days. Reheating in the oven will provide better texture.
Freezing: You can freeze the puffs once they cool. To reheat simply place in a 350 F oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through.
Cheese options: You can use Swiss, Gruyere or Monterey Jack as alternatives to cheddar.
Ham substitutions: You can sub with cooked bacon, turkey, or even sautéed mushrooms if you like.
These Gluten-Free Ham and Cheddar Puffs are an easy, flavorful recipe that is great to make ahead of time for a busy morning or a quick snack at lunchtime!