Pâte à choux means “choux pastry” in English, and it’s also commonly called cream puff pastry. It’s the light dough used to make éclairs, profiteroles, and cream puffs.

Quick meaning

  • Literal use: a French pastry dough.
  • Common English translation: choux pastry.
  • Everyday label: cream puff pastry.

What it’s for

Pâte à choux is the base for pastries that puff up and hollow out when baked, which is why it works so well for filling with cream or savory fillings.

If you want, I can also explain why it’s called “choux” in French.