kaassoufflé

Kaassoufflé is a Dutch snack consisting of a thin sheet of pastry wrapped around a cheese filling and deep-fried until crisp. The cheese is typically Gouda or Edam, sometimes with a light seasoning. The name evokes a soufflé, but the finished product is a fried, crusted snack rather than a true French soufflé.

In preparation, a small portion of cheese is enclosed between thin layers of pastry or dough, the edges sealed, and the resulting parcel is coated in breadcrumbs before being fried in hot oil. Commercial versions may use pre-formed, frozen sheets or batter. The interior is usually molten or soft, contrasting with the crunchy exterior. Serving typically includes mustard, curry sauce, or mayonnaise, and it is commonly found in snack bars and frit markets.

Cultural context and regional use: Kaassoufflé is a staple of Dutch snack-bar cuisine and late-night eating, widely considered a vegetarian option when no meat is used in the filling. It is also available in neighboring Belgium and other parts of the Low Countries, sometimes under regional variations or labels. The dish has become part of the broader tradition of inexpensive, quick fried snacks popular in everyday street food.

Related dishes: The kaassoufflé is related to other cheese-filled fried snacks in Dutch cuisine, such as the kaaskroket, which uses a cheese-flavored filling inside a breadcrumb-coated cylinder rather than a pastry envelope.