Description
Homemade Cheez-Its are crispy, cheesy crackers made with sharp cheddar cheese and a buttery dough. This easy recipe lets you create a classic savory snack that’s perfect for parties, lunchboxes, or anytime you crave a cheesy crunch. Made from simple ingredients and baked to golden perfection, these crackers capture the authentic flavor of the beloved store-bought version with a homemade touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon salt
Dough
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons ice water
- Coarse salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Combine Cheese and Butter: In a food processor, combine the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, softened unsalted butter, and salt. Pulse until the mixture becomes crumbly and well blended, ensuring the cheese is evenly incorporated with the butter.
- Add Flour: Add the all-purpose flour to the cheese mixture in the processor. Pulse several times until the flour is completely mixed and the texture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Incorporate Ice Water: Slowly add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, pulsing after each addition. Continue until the dough just starts to come together and holds when pressed. Avoid adding too much water to keep the dough from becoming sticky.
- Chill the Dough: Gather the dough into a disk shape, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This helps the dough firm up and makes it easier to roll out.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to approximately 1/8-inch thickness. Try to keep the thickness consistent for even baking.
- Cut into Squares: Using a pastry cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough into 1-inch squares. Transfer the squares to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart.
- Create Center Holes: Use a skewer or toothpick to poke a small hole in the center of each square to mimic the classic Cheez-It appearance and help them bake evenly.
- Sprinkle with Coarse Salt: Lightly sprinkle coarse salt on top of each cracker for extra flavor and crunch.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the crackers are golden and crisp. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the crackers to cool completely on a wire rack before serving or storing. Cooling makes them crispier and ready to enjoy.
Notes
- For a spicy kick, add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the dough before processing.
- Store baked crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week to maintain freshness and crispness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 30 minutes chilling time)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 10 crackers
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
