If you love cheesy, crunchy snacks, you need to try Homemade Cheez-Its—nothing comes close to the real thing you can bake yourself! Imagine pulling a batch of warm, golden crackers from your oven, their irresistible cheddar aroma filling your kitchen. This recipe transforms a handful of pantry basics into a nostalgic treat that’s both wholesome and wildly addictive. Whether you’re sharing with friends or sneaking a handful all for yourself, these Homemade Cheez-Its are destined to become your new favorite snack fix.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the many joys of Homemade Cheez-Its is how the magic happens with just a few staple ingredients. Each component brings its own essential quality: cheese melts to form the flavor backbone, butter adds richness, and flour delivers that perfect crunch. Here’s why every ingredient matters:
- Sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz, shredded): Use sharp cheddar for a bold, cheesy flavor that’s true to classic Cheez-Its; pre-shredded works, but freshly grated melts smoother.
- Unsalted butter (4 tablespoons, cold and cubed): Cold butter creates those delicate, flaky layers and amps up the richness.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Just enough to balance the cheese and bring out every savory note.
- All-purpose flour (1 cup): The necessary base that gives these crackers structure and crunch.
- Cold water (2–3 tablespoons): Helps the dough bind together without making it sticky—add slowly to find the sweet spot.
- Paprika (1/4 teaspoon, optional): Adds a subtle, smoky warmth for those who want a little extra flavor depth.
- Flaky sea salt (for topping, optional): Sprinkle on top for visual flair and bursts of salty crunch, just like the originals.
How to Make Homemade Cheez-Its
Step 1: Blend Cheese, Butter, and Seasonings
Start by adding the shredded cheddar cheese, cold cubed butter, salt, and paprika (if using) into your food processor. Pulse several times until the mixture looks crumbly and evenly mixed. This step breaks down the cheese and butter into the tiniest bits, ensuring every bite of your Homemade Cheez-Its is ultra-flavorful and tender.
Step 2: Incorporate the Flour
Next, toss the all-purpose flour into the mix, pulsing again in the food processor just until the dough starts to look sandy. Don’t worry about it coming together yet—right now, you’re just coating every morsel of cheese and butter with flour to set the stage for a perfectly crisp cracker.
Step 3: Add Cold Water to Form the Dough
Slowly drizzle in the cold water, a tablespoon at a time, giving the processor a few pulses after each addition. Stop as soon as the dough clumps together and pulls away from the sides—you don’t want to over-mix! If you add too much water, your crackers might lose their signature snap, so err on the side of caution.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Transfer your dough onto a sheet of plastic wrap and gently flatten it into a disc (this will make rolling easier later). Wrap it tightly and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour. Chilling helps the butter firm up and the dough hydrate, both crucial for cracking good crunch and easy rolling.
Step 5: Roll Out and Cut the Crackers
Once the dough is chilled, sprinkle flour on your work surface and roll out the dough until it’s about 1/8-inch thick—the thinner, the crispier! Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice the dough into 1-inch squares. For the classic Homemade Cheez-Its look, poke a small hole in the center of each square with a skewer or toothpick.
Step 6: Arrange, Top, and Bake
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and arrange the cracker squares with just a bit of space between each. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt, if you’d like that extra pop. Bake in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until your crackers look puffed and golden around the edges. Rotate the sheets halfway through if you notice uneven browning.
Step 7: Cool for Crispiness
Remove the crackers from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet. This is the toughest part—waiting! But it’s crucial, since Homemade Cheez-Its become delightfully crisp as they cool. Now, all that’s left is to enjoy them by the handful.
How to Serve Homemade Cheez-Its
Garnishes
While these crackers pack plenty of flavor on their own, you can absolutely dress them up for a little extra wow factor. Try a sprinkle of smoked paprika, cracked black pepper, or even a dusting of parmesan as soon as they come out of the oven. These simple touches make your Homemade Cheez-Its even more irresistible and add a signature flair.
Side Dishes
Serve your crackers alongside creamy dips like hummus, spinach artichoke, or pimento cheese for a crowd-pleasing snack board. They’re fantastic with tomato soup—just dunk and enjoy—or pile them alongside fresh fruit and charcuterie for a homemade take on a cheese plate. Their cheesiness lets them play happily with just about any savory companion.
Creative Ways to Present
Planning a game night or picnic? Pour Homemade Cheez-Its into mason jars or paper cones for sharing. For a party, set up a “cracker bar” with an assortment of dips and toppings so everyone can customize their bites. Or bundle them in a cellophane bag with a cute ribbon as a fun, edible gift—everyone loves homemade snacks!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Homemade Cheez-Its crisp and fresh, pop them into an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay crunchy for up to 5 days—which is plenty of time, although they tend to disappear much sooner!
Freezing
If you want to prep ahead, freeze the unbaked dough disc tightly wrapped in plastic. When you’re ready for a fresh batch, thaw it overnight in the fridge, roll, cut, and bake as usual. Baked crackers don’t freeze as well—they can lose their crunchy texture—so stick to prepping dough in advance.
Reheating
If your crackers soften over time, simply spread them out on a baking sheet and heat in a 325°F oven for about 5 minutes. Let them cool again and they’ll be good as new, just like fresh Homemade Cheez-Its from the oven.
FAQs
Can I use a different cheese instead of sharp cheddar?
Absolutely! While sharp cheddar delivers that classic Homemade Cheez-Its flavor, you can swap in any hard, flavorful cheese like white cheddar, pepper jack, or gouda for a fun twist. Keep in mind that moisture content varies, so very soft cheeses might give you a different texture.
How do I get a super crispy cracker?
Roll the dough as thin as possible and don’t skimp on the chilling step—it keeps the butter cold, which encourages flakiness and crunch. Let your crackers cool fully before eating, since they crispen up even more out of the oven.
Can I make Homemade Cheez-Its without a food processor?
Yes! Grate the cheese finely and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to blend the butter and cheese together with the flour and seasonings. Just work quickly to keep the butter cold, and your crackers will still turn out delicious.
How can I make them spicy?
Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes to the dough for a warm, spicy kick. Another idea: sprinkle chili powder or chipotle seasoning over the crackers before baking for fiery Homemade Cheez-Its with a smoky edge.
Do Homemade Cheez-Its work for lunchboxes?
They sure do! Homemade Cheez-Its are sturdy, not greasy, and travel well in snack bags or lunch containers. Kids and adults love their cheesy crunch, making lunchtime much more exciting—and a whole lot tastier.
Final Thoughts
Give these Homemade Cheez-Its a go, and you’ll never look at boxed crackers the same way again. There’s nothing quite like the joy of baking and sharing your own cheese crackers—and seeing the smiles they bring! So grab that cheese and let’s make snack time a little more homemade and a whole lot more delicious.
Print
Homemade Cheez-Its Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings (about 90 crackers) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make Homemade Cheez-Its with this easy and delicious recipe. These cheesy crackers are perfect for snacking and are sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Ingredients
Cheez-It Dough:
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2–3 tablespoons cold water
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika (optional, for extra flavor)
Topping:
- Flaky sea salt (for topping, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a food processor, combine cheddar cheese, butter, salt, and paprika. Pulse until crumbly. Add flour and pulse until combined. Slowly add water until dough forms a ball. Chill for 1 hour.
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll and Cut: Roll out chilled dough, cut into squares, and poke a hole in each. Place on baking sheets.
- Bake: Sprinkle with sea salt, if desired. Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden. Cool completely.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a spicy version, add a pinch of cayenne to the dough.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chill time)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 15 crackers
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
