Description
Homemade Cheez-Its are crunchy, cheesy crackers made from sharp cheddar cheese and a blend of simple ingredients. These bite-sized snacks offer a perfect balance of savory flavor and satisfying crispiness, ideal for parties, snacking, or lunchboxes. Easy to prepare from scratch, this recipe yields a deliciously homemade alternative to store-bought cheese crackers.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese and Butter
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Liquid
- 3 tbsp water (adjust as needed)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the crackers don’t stick and bake evenly.
- Mix Cheese and Butter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated sharp cheddar cheese and cold cubed unsalted butter. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix until the texture resembles coarse crumbs, which helps create a flaky cracker texture.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the all-purpose flour and salt. If you prefer a slight spicy kick, add the optional cayenne pepper at this stage and mix well to distribute.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add water, starting with about 3 tablespoons, and gently knead the mixture on a floured surface until a smooth, firm dough forms. Add a little more water if the dough feels too dry, but avoid making it sticky.
- Roll and Cut: Roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Use a knife or cookie cutter to cut the dough into small squares or your desired shapes for the crackers.
- Bake: Place the cut dough pieces on the prepared baking sheets spaced apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the crackers are golden brown and crisp. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before serving to allow them to harden.
Notes
- Keep the butter cold for a flakier texture in the crackers.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to control the spice level or omit for mild flavor.
- Store cooled crackers in an airtight container for up to a week to maintain crispiness.
- For extra flavor, consider adding garlic powder or smoked paprika to the dough.
- Make sure not to roll the dough too thin to avoid overly brittle crackers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
