Description

This Homemade Cheez-Its recipe offers crispy, cheesy crackers made from simple pantry ingredients, delivering a rich sharp cheddar flavor and satisfying crunch. Perfect as a snack or party treat, these crackers are easy to customize and bake fresh at home.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese and Dairy

1 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces

Dry Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free all-purpose flour for gluten-free option)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

2 to 3 tablespoons cold water

Instructions

Prepare the Ingredients: Start by finely grating your sharp cheddar cheese, then measure the flour, butter, and seasonings to have everything ready, ensuring a smooth baking process.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Whisk them together thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices in the dough.
Cut in the Butter and Cheese: Add the cold butter pieces and grated cheddar to the dry mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend the butter and cheese until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add Cold Water and Form Dough: Gradually add cold water one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough begins to form without becoming sticky. Avoid overworking the dough to maintain a tender texture.
Roll and Cut Cracker Shapes: Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll it out to about 1/8 inch thickness. Slice into small squares roughly 1 to 1.5 inches wide using a sharp knife or pizza cutter. Poke a hole in the center of each square with a knife or skewer to mimic classic Cheez-Its.
Bake to Crunchy Perfection: Arrange the crackers on a parchment-lined baking sheet, giving them space to bake evenly. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12 to 15 minutes until they turn golden and crisp. Cool completely on a wire rack before serving to lock in the crunch.

Notes

Use cold butter and cold water to help create a flaky, crispy texture.
Roll dough thinly (about 1/8 inch) to ensure crackers are crispy and not doughy inside.
Avoid overcrowding the baking sheet to allow even baking and crispiness.
Sharp cheddar provides the best authentic cheesy flavor.
Store finished crackers in an airtight container at room temperature to retain freshness and crunch for up to two weeks.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 to 15 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 6 crackers
Calories: 110
Sugar: 0.2g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 7g
Fiber: 0.3g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 20mg

Keywords: cheddar crackers, homemade snacks, crispy cheese crackers, gluten-free snacks, party appetizers, sharp cheddar, crunchy crackers