Akaassoufflé (Dutch:[ˈkaːsuˌfleː]ⓘ;lit. 'cheese soufflé') is aDutch snack of melted cheese inside a thin dough-based wrap which has been breaded and then deep-fried. They are also popular in theDutch-speaking part of Belgium.
Akaassoufflé is thought to be influenced by Indonesianstreet food calledgorengan (fritter).[1] It is either bought ready-made frozen and deep-fried at home, or ordered atsnackbars in the Netherlands, where it is one of the fewvegetarian fast-food snacks available.[2] At certain Dutch fastfood outlets, such asFEBO orSmullers, it is possible to purchase akaassoufflé without having to order it at the counter; instead it can be had directly from anautomatiek, a coin-operated vending machine.[3][4]Kaassoufflé is also a popular snack to be served at aborrel, an informal Dutch gathering with drinks and snacks (the word"borrel" originally referred to a small glass in which distilled beverages, usuallyjenever, is served).[citation needed]
Typically this snack comes in two different shapes: either as a large rectangle measuring approximately 10 cm by 5 cm (4" by 2"), or shaped like a half moon of about 10 cm (5") in length. Smaller versions, calledmini-kaassoufflés, are usually sold for consumption at home, or for at the aforementionedborrel where they are usually eaten as part of abittergarnituur, a selection of snacks to go with drinks.[5]Kaassoufflés are not limited to having only aGouda-like cheese as a filling. Additional flavourings can be added to the cheese, such asham andspinach, or it can also be made with different types of cheese.[6][7] Another variety ofkaassoufflé is the oven-baked type. This is simply done by wrapping a slice of cheese, with or without additional spices, inside puff pastry and then baking it in an oven.[8]
Although the name of this snack contains the word "soufflé", it has very little in common with a real soufflé which, indeed, can contain cheese and can therefore also be called akaassoufflé in theDutch language.[9]
Akaassoufflé is usually eaten on its own, with mustard, mayonnaise, regular ketchup, or curried ketchup. Abroodje kaassoufflé is the snack served in a bun.[10]
