In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1 stick of unsalted butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once the butter is melted and the mixture is boiling, add a pinch of salt.
Remove the saucepan from heat and quickly add 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture comes together and forms a smooth ball. This should take about 1-2 minutes.
Return the saucepan to low heat and cook the dough for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. You want to dry out the dough slightly so it’s not too wet.
Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for a few minutes. Once slightly cooled, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. The dough should be smooth and glossy.
Fold in 1 cup of shredded cheese of your choice. This will give your cheese puffs a delightful flavor.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a piping bag or a plastic bag with the corner snipped off, pipe small mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese puffs are golden brown and puffed. Avoid opening the oven door during baking, as this can cause them to deflate.
Once baked, remove the cheese puffs from the oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve warm, and enjoy the light, cheesy goodness of your Pâte à choux recipe and cheese puffs!