Description
This Homemade Cheez-Its recipe produces the perfect crispy, cheesy crackers with just the right amount of salt and sharp cheddar flavor. Made from scratch with simple ingredients like butter, sharp cheddar cheese, flour, and olive oil, these homemade snacks are baked to golden perfection and are great for snacking or serving at parties.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Dough
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt + more for topping
- 2–3 tablespoons cold water
Topping
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Kosher salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Mix Butter and Cheese: Place the room temperature unsalted butter and shredded sharp cheddar cheese into a mixing bowl. Using a standing mixer or electric mixer, mix on medium/high speed for 4-5 minutes until the mixture is smooth, combined, and fluffy.
- Combine Flour and Salt: Add 1 teaspoon kosher salt to the all-purpose flour and whisk to combine. Slowly add the flour and salt mixture to the butter-cheese mixture while mixing on low speed. The dough will begin to resemble a dry crumble.
- Add Water to Form Dough: Gradually add cold water one teaspoon at a time to the bowl, mixing continuously until the dough starts to form.
- Chill Dough: Shape the dough into a ball, then flatten it into a disk. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Preheat Oven: Remove the dough from the refrigerator and preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC).
- Roll Out Dough: Place a piece of parchment paper on the countertop and roll out the chilled dough into a large rectangle less than ⅛ inch thick.
- Mark Grid: Use a ruler to measure 1-inch intervals both vertically and horizontally to create a cutting grid on the dough.
- Cut Squares: Carefully slice along the markings with a pizza cutter or pastry cutter to create 1-inch squares, taking care not to cut through the parchment paper.
- Make Holes: Use the flat end of a wooden skewer to poke small holes in the center of each square to help the crackers bake evenly and crisp.
- Transfer to Baking Sheet: Move the parchment paper with the cut squares onto a large baking sheet, spacing the crackers so they do not touch.
- Brush with Oil and Salt: Lightly brush each cracker with olive oil and sprinkle with additional kosher salt to taste.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the crackers for 15-17 minutes or until they are golden brown and crisp.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and immediately transfer the parchment paper with crackers to a cooling rack. Allow the crackers to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is at room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor and a nice cheesy bite.
- Do not roll the dough thicker than ⅛ inch to ensure the crackers come out crisp.
- Adjust the amount of salt sprinkled on top according to your taste preference.
- Store completely cooled crackers in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-17 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: homemade cheez its, cheddar crackers, cheesy snacks, homemade crackers, baked cheese crackers
