Description
Homemade Cheez-Its are a deliciously crisp and cheesy snack made from sharp cheddar cheese and simple pantry ingredients. These crackers are baked to golden perfection, offering a flavorful bite that rivals store-bought versions, ideal for snacking anytime.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Crackers
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons ice water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare baking sheet: Set your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Combine dry ingredients and butter: In a food processor, add the shredded cheddar cheese, all-purpose flour, cold cubed butter, salt, paprika, and garlic powder if using. Pulse these ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, which helps create the perfect crumbly texture for your dough.
- Add ice water and form dough: Gradually add ice water one tablespoon at a time into the food processor, pulsing after each addition until the mixture comes together to form a cohesive dough ball.
- Roll out the dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out as thin as possible, about 1/8 inch thick, to achieve the characteristic thin crispiness of Cheez-Its.
- Cut and shape crackers: Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough into 1-inch squares. Then, use the tip of a skewer or toothpick to poke a small hole in the center of each square to mimic the classic Cheez-It look.
- Arrange and bake: Place the cracker squares onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a small space between each to allow for even cooking. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden and the crackers are crisp.
- Cool and serve: Remove the crackers from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack to ensure they become extra crunchy before serving.
Notes
- Use extra sharp cheddar for the best and most pronounced flavor.
- Store homemade Cheez-Its in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- For a spicy twist, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dough mixture.
