Description
These homemade Cheez-Its are a deliciously cheesy and crispy snack that you can easily make in your oven. With sharp cheddar cheese, a hint of cayenne for optional spice, and a simple dough, these crackers are perfect for nibbling anytime and sure to impress with their homemade charm.
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)
Wet Ingredients
- 3 tbsp water (adjust as needed)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and to make cleanup easier.
- Combine cheese and butter: In a large mixing bowl, mix the grated sharp cheddar cheese and cold cubed unsalted butter until the mixture has a coarse crumb-like texture. This ensures that the butter is well distributed, creating a flaky cracker texture.
- Add dry ingredients: Stir in the all-purpose flour and salt thoroughly. If you want a little heat, add the optional cayenne pepper at this stage and mix evenly to distribute the flavor.
- Form the dough: Gradually add the water a tablespoon at a time, mixing each addition until a smooth dough forms. Knead gently on a floured surface to bring everything together without overworking the dough, which can toughen the crackers.
- Shape the crackers: Roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thickness on a floured surface for even baking. Cut into small squares or your desired shapes using a knife or cookie cutter for classic Cheez-It shapes.
- Bake: Place the cut crackers onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown, indicating crispiness. Let them cool completely on a wire rack before serving to allow them to set and become crisp.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can sprinkle a little sea salt on top of the crackers before baking.
- Adjust water quantity slightly if the dough feels too dry or too sticky.
- Store cooled crackers in an airtight container to maintain crispness.
- You can experiment with different cheeses like sharp white cheddar or smoked cheddar for varied flavors.
- If you want perfect square crackers with edges, use a ruler or a pastry cutter for shaping.
