Description
Homemade Cheez-Its are a crunchy, cheesy snack made with sharp cheddar cheese and a blend of spices, baked to golden perfection. These savory crackers are easy to prepare from scratch, delivering the perfect balance of cheesy flavor and a satisfying crispness in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Crackers
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2-3 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a food processor, combine the all-purpose flour, grated sharp cheddar cheese, cold cubed unsalted butter, salt, paprika, and garlic powder. Pulse these ingredients together until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the cold water, one tablespoon at a time, to the food processor mixture while pulsing until the dough begins to come together and forms a ball that is not too sticky.
- Roll Out Dough: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and roll it out evenly to about 1/8-inch thickness, ensuring the crackers will bake into thin, crisp bites.
- Cut Crackers: Using a cookie cutter or a knife, cut the dough into small squares or your preferred shape to resemble classic Cheez-Its.
- Bake: Arrange the cut squares on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crackers turn golden and crispy.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the crackers to cool completely on the sheet before serving to maximize their crispiness.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, prick each cracker with a fork before baking to prevent puffing.
- You can store homemade Cheez-Its in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Experiment with different cheeses like Parmesan or a smoked cheddar for varied flavors.
- Adjust the paprika and garlic powder according to your taste preference.
