Print

The Best Homemade Cheez-Its Recipe (Crispy Cheddar Crackers) Recipe

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.1 from 5 reviews

This homemade Cheez-Its recipe yields crispy, flavorful cheddar crackers that are perfect for snacking. Made with sharp cheddar cheese and seasoned with paprika and garlic powder, these crackers are baked to golden perfection with a delightfully crisp texture. The recipe involves making a simple dough, chilling it, rolling it out thinly, cutting into squares with a characteristic hole in the center, and baking until perfectly crisp.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 cup (127 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • Sea salt, for topping

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup (57 grams) cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated (do not use pre-grated cheese)
  • 1/4 cup (59 grams) cold water

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a food processor, combine flour, cubed cold butter, freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add cold water and blend until the dough just comes together into a cohesive ball.
  2. Chill Dough: Shape the dough into a thick, flat square. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow it to firm up, which makes it easier to roll out.
  3. Preheat Oven: Once the dough is chilled, preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  4. Roll and Cut Dough: On a separate parchment paper, roll the dough out into an 11x14-inch rectangle, ensuring it is no more than 1/8 inch thick. Use a fluted pastry wheel, pizza cutter, or a sharp knife to cut the dough into 1 1/4-inch squares, approximately the width of a ruler. Transfer the cut crackers onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1/4 inch apart. If any crackers are thicker than 1/8 inch, re-roll the scraps and cut again for uniform thickness.
  5. Make Center Holes: Use the bottom of a straw, skewer, or chopstick to poke a large hole through the center of each square cracker, mimicking the classic Cheez-It look and aiding in even baking.
  6. Refrigerate and Salt: Place the trays of crackers back into the refrigerator for 10 minutes to firm them up before baking. Lightly sprinkle the tops with sea salt for a touch of savory finish.
  7. Bake the Crackers: Bake the crackers in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they puff slightly, turn golden brown on top, and are crisp on the bottom. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
  8. Cool and Store: Allow the crackers to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Store the cooled crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. If they soften over time, refresh them by baking at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes, then let cool again before serving.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese for best flavor and texture; pre-grated cheese contains anti-caking agents that can affect dough consistency.
  • Ensure the dough is rolled no thicker than 1/8 inch to achieve optimal crispiness.
  • Chilling both before and after cutting helps maintain the shape and crisp texture during baking.
  • If crackers soften after storage, reheat briefly in the oven to restore crispness.
  • You can substitute paprika with smoked paprika for a smoky flavor variation.

Find it online: https://recipeplenty.com/the-best-homemade-cheez-its-recipe-crispy-cheddar-crackers-recipe/