Kaassoufflé
A Dutch deep-fried snack of melted cheese in a breaded wrap.
A kaassoufflé is a Dutch snack made by breading and deep-frying a thin dough wrap filled with melted cheese. It is also common in Belgium’s Dutch-speaking region. Its origins are thought to lie in Indonesian gorengan, or fritters. People often buy them frozen to fry at home, or order them at Dutch snack bars, where they are one of the few vegetarian fast-food options. At chains like FEBO or Smullers, you can get one from an automatiek, a coin-operated vending machine, without ordering at a counter. The snack is also popular at a borrel, an informal Dutch gathering with drinks and snacks—the word “borrel” originally meant a small glass for spirits like jenever.
Kaassoufflés come in two main shapes: a large rectangle about 10 cm by 5 cm, or a half-moon shape around 10 cm long. Smaller mini-kaassoufflés are sold for home consumption or as part of a bittergarnituur, a selection of snacks served with drinks. The filling is not limited to Gouda-like cheese; it can include ham, spinach, or other cheeses. Another variety is oven-baked, made by wrapping a slice of cheese—with or without spices—in puff pastry and baking it. Despite its name, the snack has little in common with a true soufflé, though a cheese soufflé can also be called kaassoufflé in Dutch.
A kaassoufflé is typically eaten alone, with mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup, or curried ketchup. Served in a bun, it becomes a broodje kaassoufflé.
- type
- Snack
- origin
- Netherlands
- also_found_in
- Dutch-speaking part of Belgium
- primary_ingredient
- Melted cheese inside a thin dough-based wrap
- cooking_method
- Deep-fried (also oven-baked variety exists)
- common_shapes
- Large rectangle (10 cm by 5 cm) or half-moon (about 10 cm in length)
Lore & Background
A kaassoufflé is typically bought ready-made frozen and deep-fried at home, or ordered at snackbars in the Netherlands, where it is one of the few vegetarian fast-food snacks available. At certain Dutch fast-food outlets such as FEBO or Smullers, it can be purchased directly from an automatiek, a coin-operated vending machine. The snack is also popular at a borrel, an informal Dutch gathering with drinks and snacks.
Kaassoufflés come in two main shapes: a large rectangle or a half-moon shape. Smaller versions, called mini-kaassoufflés, are usually sold for home consumption or at a borrel as part of a bittergarnituur, a selection of snacks to go with drinks. The filling is not limited to Gouda-like cheese; additional flavorings such as ham and spinach can be added, or different types of cheese may be used. An oven-baked variety exists, made by wrapping a slice of cheese inside puff pastry and baking it.
Despite its name, the kaassoufflé has very little in common with a real soufflé, which can also contain cheese and be called a kaassoufflé in Dutch. The snack is usually eaten on its own, with mustard, mayonnaise, regular ketchup, or curried ketchup. A broodje kaassoufflé is the snack served in a bun.
Reader's Guide
The kaassoufflé holds significance as a popular vegetarian fast-food snack in the Netherlands, offering a convenient and widely available option for those avoiding meat. Its presence in automatiek vending machines at chains like FEBO and Smullers highlights its integration into Dutch fast-food culture, where it can be obtained without counter service. The snack's association with the borrel—an informal Dutch gathering with drinks—and its inclusion in a bittergarnituur underscore its role in social eating traditions. The kaassoufflé's adaptability, with variations in shape, size, and fillings (including ham, spinach, or different cheeses), as well as an oven-baked version, demonstrates its versatility. Its influence from Indonesian gorengan reflects the Netherlands' culinary connections to its former colony. While the name suggests a connection to soufflé, the snack is distinct, being a deep-fried or baked cheese-filled pastry rather than a baked egg dish. The kaassoufflé remains a staple in Dutch snack bars and homes, often served with condiments like mustard, mayonnaise, or ketchup, and even as a broodje (in a bun).
Did You Know?
- A kaassoufflé is thought to be influenced by Indonesian street food called gorengan (fritter).
- At certain Dutch fast-food outlets like FEBO or Smullers, a kaassoufflé can be purchased from an automatiek, a coin-operated vending machine.
- Smaller versions, called mini-kaassoufflés, are often eaten at a borrel as part of a bittergarnituur.
- Despite its name, the kaassoufflé has very little in common with a real soufflé.
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