Chouquettes (Thermomix Recipe)

Chouquettes are light, airy French pastries made from choux pastry dough and topped with crunchy pearl sugar. They are a beloved treat in France, often enjoyed as a snack or with coffee for breakfast. These delicate little puffs are crisp on the outside, soft and hollow on the inside, and lightly sweet with the sparkle of pearl sugar on top.

Using a Thermomix makes preparing choux pastry much easier because it controls the mixing and heating process perfectly. With just a few simple ingredients—water, butter, flour, eggs, and sugar—you can create a batch of delicious homemade chouquettes that taste like they came straight from a French bakery.

This recipe will guide you step by step to make perfectly puffed chouquettes using your Thermomix.

What Are Chouquettes?

Chouquettes are small puffs made from pâte à choux, the same dough used to make éclairs, profiteroles, and cream puffs. Unlike those pastries, chouquettes are usually served plain without filling. Instead, they are sprinkled with pearl sugar before baking, which gives them their characteristic crunchy topping.

They are incredibly light and slightly sweet, making them perfect for breakfast, afternoon tea, or dessert.

Why Make Chouquettes with Thermomix?

Using a Thermomix simplifies the process of making choux pastry.

Benefits include:

Precise heating and mixing
Smooth dough texture
Faster preparation
Consistent results

Even beginners can make bakery-quality chouquettes with this method.

Ingredients

150 g water
80 g unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 tablespoon sugar
1 pinch salt
120 g all-purpose flour
3 eggs
40–50 g pearl sugar (for topping)

Optional:

Powdered sugar for dusting

Step-by-Step Thermomix Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

2. Heat Water and Butter

Place the following ingredients into the Thermomix bowl:

Water
Butter
Sugar
Salt

Heat for 5 minutes / 100°C / Speed 1.

This melts the butter and prepares the liquid base for the dough.

3. Add the Flour

Add the flour to the bowl.

Mix for 20 seconds / Speed 4.

Then cook the dough for 1 minute / 90°C / Speed 3.

The dough will form a thick paste and pull away from the sides of the bowl.

4. Cool the Dough Slightly

Remove the Thermomix lid and allow the dough to cool for about 5 minutes.

This step prevents the eggs from cooking when added.

5. Add the Eggs

Set the Thermomix to Speed 5 and add the eggs one at a time through the lid opening.

Mix for 30 seconds until the dough becomes smooth, glossy, and slightly thick.

The dough should be soft enough to pipe but thick enough to hold its shape.

6. Pipe the Chouquettes

Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a round tip.

Pipe small mounds (about 3 cm wide) onto the prepared baking tray.

Leave space between each puff because they will expand while baking.

7. Add Pearl Sugar

Sprinkle pearl sugar generously over each dough mound.

Gently press the sugar into the dough so it sticks during baking.

8. Bake

Place the tray in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until the chouquettes are golden brown and puffed.

Do not open the oven door during baking, as this can cause them to collapse.

9. Cool and Serve

Remove the chouquettes from the oven and allow them to cool slightly.

They are best enjoyed fresh and warm.

Tips for Perfect Chouquettes

Use Pearl Sugar

Pearl sugar gives chouquettes their signature look and crunchy texture.

Don’t Open the Oven

Opening the oven too early can cause the puffs to deflate.

Pipe Even Sizes

Uniform dough portions help them bake evenly.

Eat Them Fresh

Chouquettes taste best on the day they are baked.

Flavor Variations

You can easily customize chouquettes with different flavors.

Vanilla Chouquettes

Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the dough.

Chocolate Chouquettes

Mix 1 tablespoon cocoa powder with the flour.

Orange Zest Version

Add a little orange zest for a citrus aroma.

Filled Chouquettes

Slice them open and fill with whipped cream or pastry cream.

Serving Ideas

Chouquettes are wonderful served with:

Coffee or espresso
Hot chocolate
Tea
Fresh fruit

They are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack.

Storage Tips

Room Temperature

Store in an airtight container for up to 1 day.

Reheating

Warm briefly in the oven at 150°C (300°F) to refresh their crisp texture.

Freezing

Unbaked choux dough can be frozen and baked later.

Final Thoughts

Chouquettes are one of the simplest and most delightful pastries in French baking. With their crisp golden tops, soft airy centers, and sparkling pearl sugar, they are irresistible little treats.

Using a Thermomix makes the process even easier, allowing you to prepare perfect choux pastry with minimal effort. Once you try making homemade chouquettes, you may find yourself baking them again and again for family, friends, or simply to enjoy with your morning coffee.