Description
These Homemade Cheez Its are crispy, cheesy crackers made from scratch with sharp cheddar cheese and a buttery dough. Perfectly salted and baked to golden perfection, they offer a deliciously addictive snack that rivals store-bought versions. Ideal for cheese lovers seeking a crunchy, savory treat made with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Cheese Dough
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for topping
- 2-3 tablespoons cold water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for brushing)
Instructions
- Mix Butter and Cheese: Place the butter and shredded sharp cheddar cheese into a mixing bowl. Using a stand mixer or electric mixer, beat on medium-high speed for 4-5 minutes until the mixture is smooth, combined, and fluffy.
- Combine Flour and Salt: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 teaspoon kosher salt and the all-purpose flour. Gradually add this flour mixture to the butter and cheese bowl while mixing on low speed until the mixture forms a dry crumble.
- Form the Dough: Slowly add the cold water one teaspoon at a time to the bowl, mixing until a cohesive dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: Shape the dough into a ball, then flatten into a disk. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up the dough.
- Preheat Oven: Remove the dough from the refrigerator and preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC).
- Roll Out Dough: Lay parchment paper on your workspace and roll the dough out into a large rectangle less than ⅛ inch thick.
- Measure and Cut: Using a ruler, mark 1-inch increments both vertically and horizontally to create a grid for cutting squares.
- Cut Into Squares: Use a pizza cutter or pastry cutter to cut the dough into 1-inch squares carefully without cutting the parchment paper underneath.
- Pierce Each Square: Use the flat end of a wooden skewer to poke a small hole in the center of each square to mimic authentic Cheez Its.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Transfer the parchment with the cut squares onto a large baking sheet, ensuring the crackers do not touch each other.
- Brush and Salt: Brush each cracker lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with additional kosher salt to taste.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes, or until the crackers are turning golden brown.
- Cool: Remove the baking sheet from the oven, immediately transfer the crackers on the parchment paper to a cooling rack to cool completely for crispness.
Notes
- Make sure the dough is rolled out very thin (less than ⅛ inch) for the crispiest crackers.
- Refrigerating the dough helps it firm up and makes cutting easier.
- You can substitute sharp cheddar with any hard cheese for a different flavor.
- Store cooled crackers in an airtight container to keep them crisp for up to one week.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make transfer to the baking sheet easier.
- Adjust salt amount based on your preference, but kosher salt gives the best texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
