Homemade Cheez Its Recipe

If you have ever wondered how to capture that perfectly crunchy, cheesy snack right from your own kitchen, you are going to love this Homemade Cheez Its Recipe. Bursting with sharp cheddar flavor, flaky edges, and just the right hint of saltiness, these little crackers are pure magic. Making them yourself means you can control every ingredient, avoid unnecessary additives, and enjoy the freshest, most irresistible snack that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Trust me, once you try this recipe, store-bought Cheez Its will seem like a distant memory.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These simple ingredients are the heart and soul of your Homemade Cheez Its Recipe. Each one plays a vital role in building the perfect texture and flavor — from the sharpness of the cheddar to the richness of the butter and the touch of salt that makes every bite sing.

• Sharp cheddar cheese (8 ounces): Use fresh, strong cheddar for that iconic tang and brilliant orange color.
• All purpose flour (1 cup): Provides structure and crispness to the crackers without overpowering the cheese.
• Salt (1/2 teaspoon, plus more for topping): Enhances all the flavors and adds that satisfying salty crunch on top.
• Unsalted butter (1/4 cup, cubed): Delivers richness and helps create a tender yet crisp texture.
• Whole milk (2 tablespoons, cold): Binds the dough together and adds just a touch of creaminess.

How to Make Homemade Cheez Its Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace and Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 325˚F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures even baking and easy cleanup, setting you up for success right from the start.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients and Cheese

Add the shredded sharp cheddar, flour, and salt to a food processor and pulse several times. This allows the cheese and flour to mix evenly, creating a cohesive base for your dough.

Step 3: Incorporate Butter for Crumbly Dough

Next, add the cold, cubed butter and pulse a few more times until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The butter creates that wonderful flaky, tender texture that melts in your mouth.

Step 4: Add Milk and Form Dough

Pour in the cold milk and pulse several more times. Don’t expect the dough to ball up completely; instead, it should come together when gently pressed between your fingers, indicating the perfect consistency for rolling.

Step 5: Roll and Cut the Dough

Lightly flour your surface and roll the dough into a large, very thin rectangle—thinner than 1/8-inch because these crackers puff slightly in the oven. Use a knife, pizza cutter, or fluted pastry wheel to slice into 1-inch squares.

Step 6: Add Characteristic Holes and Salt

Use the flat end of a skewer to poke a hole through the center of each cracker—this classic touch imitates the store-bought originals. Then, sprinkle each square with a pinch of salt for that irresistible flavor boost.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the crackers on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 17-20 minutes. Look for a deep golden brown color on the bottom of each cracker, which indicates that perfect crispness.

Step 8: Cool Completely Before Enjoying

Remove from the oven and allow the crackers to cool thoroughly on a wire rack. This step ensures they set properly, giving you that unbeatable crunch with every bite.

How to Serve Homemade Cheez Its Recipe

Garnishes

While these Homemade Cheez Its are delicious on their own, you can sprinkle them with a light dusting of smoked paprika or even a pinch of cayenne for a subtle kick. Fresh herbs like finely chopped rosemary also complement the cheddar beautifully when sprinkled sparingly just before baking.

Side Dishes

These crackers are perfect alongside creamy dips such as spinach artichoke or a tangy ranch dip. They also pair wonderfully with soups, especially tomato or butternut squash, adding a delightful crunch to every spoonful.

Creative Ways to Present

Try arranging your Homemade Cheez Its Recipe crackers on a charcuterie board with cured meats, olives, and assorted cheeses for an impressive snack spread. You can even crumble them over a fresh salad or use them as a crispy topping for casseroles for an unexpected burst of flavor and texture.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. This keeps them crisp and fresh, so you can enjoy that same crunch long after baking day.

Freezing

If you want to keep your Homemade Cheez Its Recipe fresh for longer, freeze baked crackers in a sealed container or bag for up to three months. Just make sure they’re completely cooled before freezing to avoid condensation and sogginess.

Reheating

To revive any crackers that have lost their crunch, pop them in a 300˚F oven for about 5 minutes. This will crisp them right back up, ready for snacking or serving once again.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Absolutely! While sharp cheddar is classic for Cheez Its, you can experiment with cheeses like parmesan or gouda for unique flavors. Just keep in mind that the texture and meltability can affect the final cracker.

Is it necessary to use cold butter and milk?

Yes, cold butter helps create that flaky texture by not fully blending into the dough, and cold milk controls the dough’s moisture for easier rolling and cutting.

Can I make these crackers gluten-free?

You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, but the texture might vary slightly. It’s best to choose a blend suited for baking to maintain crispness.

Why do I need to poke holes in each cracker?

Poking holes prevents air bubbles from forming and helps the crackers bake evenly, giving them their characteristic flat shape and consistent crunch.

How thin should I roll the dough?

Roll the dough thinner than 1/8-inch. This ensures that the crackers will bake to the perfect crispness and puff just a little, mimicking the classic Cheez Its texture.

Final Thoughts

Making your own Homemade Cheez Its Recipe is not only surprisingly easy but incredibly rewarding. Each bite bursts with fresh cheddar goodness and satisfying crunch, and you’ll never look at snack time the same way again. Give this recipe a try, and get ready to impress yourself and your loved ones with a homemade treat that feels indulgent but is utterly simple to make.

Homemade Cheez Its Recipe

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These Homemade Cheez Its are crispy, cheesy crackers made from scratch using sharp cheddar cheese and simple pantry ingredients. Baked until golden and crunchy, they are a perfect savory snack that captures the nostalgic flavor of the classic Cheez It with a fresh homemade twist.

• Author: Paula
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 17-20 minutes
• Total Time: 25-30 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 150 crackers
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Cheese Dough

• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for topping
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 2 tablespoons whole milk (cold)

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 325˚F (163˚C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and help with even baking.
2. Combine dry ingredients and cheese: In a food processor, add the shredded cheddar cheese, all-purpose flour, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Pulse several times until the mixture is combined well.
3. Add butter and pulse: Add the cubed unsalted butter to the mixture and pulse a few more times. The dough should become crumbly as the butter is incorporated.
4. Incorporate milk: Add the cold whole milk and pulse several more times. Although the dough will not form a ball, it should clump together when pressed between two fingers.
5. Roll out the dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Roll it out into a large rectangle, rolling as thinly as possible—ideally thinner than 1/8-inch—as the crackers will puff during baking.
6. Cut and dock crackers: Using a knife, pizza cutter, or fluted pastry wheel, cut the dough into 1-inch squares. Use the flat end of a skewer to poke a hole through the center of each cracker; this prevents excessive puffing and helps them bake evenly.
7. Season and arrange: Transfer the cut crackers to the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle the tops with additional salt to enhance flavor.
8. Bake until golden: Bake the crackers for 17 to 20 minutes, or until the bottoms are a deep golden brown. This indicates crispness—if they’re too light, the crackers won’t be as crunchy.
9. Cool completely: Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the crackers to cool completely on the baking sheets before enjoying. This cooling step ensures they harden to the perfect crisp texture.

Notes

• Rolling the dough thinner than 1/8-inch is important to achieve the light, crispy texture typical of Cheez Its.
• Docking each cracker with a skewer hole prevents puffing and promotes even baking.
• Use sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor; milder cheeses will result in less intense taste.
• Store cooled crackers in an airtight container to maintain freshness and crispness.
• Adjust baking time slightly depending on your oven’s heat distribution to avoid burning.