Description
Homemade Cheez-Its are crispy, cheddar-packed crackers made from simple, wholesome ingredients. These cheesy crackers deliver the perfect crunch and flavor, allowing you to customize seasonings and shapes. Perfect as a snack for any time of day, they are made without preservatives and can be tailored for dietary preferences including gluten-free and vegan versions.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free version)
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 to 4 tablespoons cold water
Optional Seasonings
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Pinch of smoked paprika
- Pinch of garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Finely grate the sharp cheddar cheese and cube the cold butter to ensure even mixing and flavor distribution.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt to evenly distribute the salt and prepare the base for the dough.
- Cut in Butter and Cheese: Add the cubed butter and grated cheddar to the dry ingredients. Use your fingers or a pastry blender to mix until the mixture becomes crumbly with pea-sized butter pieces.
- Add Water and Form Dough: Gradually add cold water one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough just holds together. Avoid overmixing to keep the dough tender.
- Chill the Dough: Shape the dough into a flat disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up the butter and improve texture.
- Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into uniform squares or your preferred shapes and poke a small hole in the center of each piece for even crisping.
- Bake to Perfection: Place crackers on a parchment-lined baking sheet with space between each. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until edges turn golden brown. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Notes
- Use chilled butter and cold water for a flaky, crispy texture.
- Refrigerate the dough before cutting to prevent soggy crackers.
- Roll dough thinly (about 1/8 inch) for ideal crispiness.
- Cut crackers into even sizes to ensure uniform baking.
- Bake immediately after cutting to maintain dough freshness and texture.
- Freshly grated cheese is preferred over pre-shredded for best flavor and texture.
- For dairy-free or vegan versions, substitute cheddar with vegan cheese and butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 crackers
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Cheese crackers, Homemade Cheez-Its, Cheddar crackers, Snack, Gluten-free crackers, Vegan crackers
