Homemade Cheez Its Recipe

Introduction

These homemade Cheez-Its are a cheesy, crunchy snack that’s far better than store-bought. Made with sharp cheddar and a flaky, buttery dough, they bake up golden and perfect for munching any time.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt, plus more for topping
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 2 tablespoons whole milk (cold)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325˚F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a food processor, combine the shredded cheddar, flour, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Pulse several times to mix.
3. Step 3: Add the cubed butter and pulse a few more times until the mixture becomes crumbly.
4. Step 4: Pour in the cold milk and pulse several more times. The dough won’t form a ball, but it should hold together when pressed between your fingers.
5. Step 5: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and roll it into a large rectangle as thin as possible, ideally even thinner than 1/8-inch.
6. Step 6: Using a knife, pizza cutter, or fluted pastry wheel, cut the dough into 1-inch squares. Use the flat end of a skewer to poke a hole through each square.
7. Step 7: Arrange the squares on the prepared baking sheets and sprinkle with additional salt.
8. Step 8: Bake for 17-20 minutes, until the bottoms are deep golden brown and the crackers are crisp.
9. Step 9: Let the crackers cool completely before serving to ensure they crisp up fully.

Tips & Variations

• For a sharper flavor, try using a mix of sharp and extra-sharp cheddar cheeses.
• If you prefer spicy snacks, sprinkle a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika on top before baking.
• Rolling the dough very thin is key to achieving that perfect crisp and puff.
• Use cold butter and milk to help create a flaky texture in the dough.

Storage

Store cooled Cheez-Its in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To refresh their crispness, warm them briefly in a low oven before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these Cheez-Its without a food processor?

Yes, you can grate the cheese and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend the butter into the flour and cheese mixture. Then mix in the milk until combined.

How thin should I roll the dough?

Roll the dough thinner than 1/8-inch if possible. The thinner the dough, the crispier the crackers will be after baking, and they puff up slightly too.

Homemade Cheez Its Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 57 reviews

Homemade Cheez-Its are crispy, cheesy crackers made from sharp cheddar cheese and baked to perfection. These savory snacks are easy to prepare with simple ingredients and are perfect for satisfying cheese cravings with a crunchy bite.

• Author: Rico
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: About 6 dozen crackers 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cheese Mixture

• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for topping

Wet Ingredients

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 2 tablespoons whole milk, cold

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325˚F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients and Cheese: Add the shredded cheddar cheese, all purpose flour, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a food processor. Pulse several times to mix everything evenly.
3. Add Butter and Process: Add the cubed unsalted butter to the food processor and pulse a few more times until the dough becomes crumbly in texture.
4. Incorporate Milk: Pour in the cold whole milk and pulse several additional times. The dough won’t form a ball but should hold together when pressed between your fingers.
5. Roll Out Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it out into a large rectangle as thinly as possible—thinner than 1/8-inch—to allow the crackers to puff up while baking.
6. Cut and Prepare Crackers: Use a knife, pizza cutter, or fluted pastry wheel to slice the dough into 1-inch squares. Using the flat end of a skewer, poke a hole through the center of each square to mimic classic Cheez-It holes and promote crispiness. Arrange squares on the prepared baking sheets and sprinkle with additional salt.
7. Bake: Bake the crackers in the preheated oven for 17 to 20 minutes, or until they develop a deep golden-brown color on the bottom. Avoid underbaking, as lighter crackers will lack crispness.
8. Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the crackers to cool completely on the baking sheets before enjoying their crispy, cheesy goodness.

Notes

• Rolling the dough thinner than 1/8-inch is important to achieve a light, crispy texture as the crackers puff up during baking.
• The holes in each cracker allow steam to escape and prevent them from puffing up too much, ensuring a classic texture.
• Store cooled crackers in an airtight container to maintain freshness and crispness.
• Use sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor and texture.
• Adjust salt sprinkled on top according to taste sensitivity.

Keywords: Homemade Cheez-Its, cheesy crackers, baked snack, sharp cheddar crackers, homemade crackers