If you’ve ever craved that perfect crunch combined with a bold cheesy punch, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Tasty Homemade Cheez Its Recipe. These crackers pack all the savory goodness you want and the crispy texture you adore, all made right in your kitchen using simple ingredients and an easy process. Whether you’re snacking solo or sharing with friends, this recipe offers a homemade alternative that feels both nostalgic and fresh — a little love baked into every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create these irresistible cheez-its, you’ll need just a handful of essential ingredients. Each item brings something unique: from creamy butter enriching the dough, to sharp cheddar providing flavor depth, and a hint of salt balancing everything out perfectly.
- Unsalted Butter (¼ cup, room temperature): Adds richness and helps create that flaky, tender texture.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese (8 oz., shredded): The star of the show, delivering a bold, cheesy flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour (1 ¼ cups): The base that binds the dough and lends crunchiness once baked.
- Kosher Salt (1 teaspoon + more for topping): Enhances flavor and provides a nice salty finish on top.
- Cold Water (2-3 tablespoons): Helps bring the dough together without making it sticky.
- Olive Oil (2 tablespoons): Brushed on for browning and a subtle fruity note.
You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.
How to Make Tasty Homemade Cheez Its Recipe
Step 1: Cream Butter and Cheese
Start by placing the room temperature butter and shredded sharp cheddar into a mixing bowl. Using a standing or electric mixer set on medium/high speed, whip the ingredients together for about 4 to 5 minutes. You want the mix to turn smooth, fluffy, and well combined, setting the stage for that decadent cheesy flavor in every bite.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
Next, add 1 teaspoon of kosher salt into the all-purpose flour and whisk them together thoroughly. Slowly incorporate this flour mixture into your cheese and butter blend on low speed. The dough will start forming a crumbly texture.
Step 3: Add Cold Water Gradually
To bring the dough together, add cold water a teaspoon at a time. This slow addition prevents the dough from becoming too sticky while allowing it to form a cohesive ball that’s easy to work with but not tough.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Shape your dough into a ball, then flatten it into a disk. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour. Chilling helps develop the dough’s texture and makes it easier to roll out evenly.
Step 5: Roll Out the Dough
Once chilled, roll the dough on parchment paper into a large rectangle, aiming for a thickness just under 1/8 inch. This thinness is key for that crisp, cracker-like snap that makes these homemade cheez its so addictive.
Step 6: Mark and Cut
Use a ruler to draw 1-inch squares horizontally and vertically on the dough. Carefully cut these lines with a pizza cutter or a pastry wheel, being mindful not to slice through the parchment paper underneath.
Step 7: Add Characteristic Holes
Using the flat end of a wooden skewer, poke a small hole in the center of each square. These little holes help prevent puffing during baking and give the crackers their familiar look.
Step 8: Prepare for Baking
Transfer the parchment with cut squares onto a baking sheet, ensuring the pieces are spaced enough so they don’t stick together. Brush each square with olive oil and lightly sprinkle kosher salt on top for that perfect finish.
Step 9: Bake to Perfection
Bake at 375ºF for 15 to 17 minutes, watching closely until the crackers start to turn a gorgeous golden brown. The result will be crunchy, cheesy bites bursting with flavor.
Step 10: Cool and Enjoy
Right after baking, carefully remove the parchment from the hot baking sheet and place it on a cooling rack. This prevents steaming and keeps the crackers crisp. Once cooled, they’re ready to enjoy!
How to Serve Tasty Homemade Cheez Its Recipe
Garnishes
While these snacks are fantastic on their own, sprinkling a bit of smoked paprika or a dash of freshly ground black pepper on top before baking adds a surprising depth of flavor that takes your homemade cheez its to the next level.
Side Dishes
Pair these cheesy crackers with dips like creamy ranch, spicy salsa, or even a fresh guacamole. They also make a delightful side to soups, salads, or charcuterie boards for entertaining guests.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking the crackers on a pretty wooden board with some grapes and nuts for an inviting snack platter. Another fun idea is breaking them up and mixing into a crunchy topping for casseroles or mac and cheese for an extra cheesy crunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cheez its in an airtight container at room temperature. They will maintain their crispness for up to a week when properly sealed from moisture and air.
Freezing
If you want to make these in advance, freeze the unbaked dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. When ready, thaw in the fridge before rolling out and baking as usual. This lets you enjoy fresh homemade cheez its whenever the craving hits without starting from scratch.
Reheating
To refresh the crispness of stored crackers, pop them in a 300ºF oven for 5 minutes. This will revive their texture without overcooking or burning them.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese in this recipe?
Absolutely! While sharp cheddar is classic and gives that signature flavor, experimenting with cheeses like gouda, parmesan, or pepper jack can add interesting twists to your tasty homemade cheez its recipe.
What if I don’t have a standing mixer?
You can use a hand mixer or even mix by hand with a sturdy spoon. Just be prepared to spend a little more time working the butter and cheese to get the same fluffy consistency.
How thin should I roll out the dough?
Roll it to just under 1/8 inch thick to ensure the crackers bake evenly and get that perfect crispy crunch without being too fragile.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, by swapping all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend, you can adapt this recipe. Just be mindful that different blends can affect the dough’s texture, so you might need to adjust water quantities slightly.
Why do we poke holes in the crackers?
Those tiny holes let steam escape during baking, preventing the crackers from puffing up and helping them keep their classic flat, crisp texture that’s so beloved in cheez its.
Final Thoughts
There’s truly something special about making your snacks from scratch, and this Tasty Homemade Cheez Its Recipe invites you to experience that joy with each crunchy bite. It’s straightforward, satisfying, and utterly delicious—perfect for sharing or savoring all by yourself. So why wait? Grab your ingredients and get ready to bake your way to cheesy, crispy happiness!
PrintTasty Homemade Cheez Its Recipe
These homemade Cheez Its are a deliciously cheesy and crispy snack made from scratch using a simple dough of sharp cheddar cheese, butter, flour, and a touch of salt. Rolled thin and baked to golden perfection, they offer that classic cheesy crunch with a fresh homemade twist, perfect for snacking or entertaining.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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 unsalted butter and shredded sharp cheddar cheese into a mixing bowl. Using a stand or electric mixer, blend 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 the all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Slowly add this flour mixture to the cheese and butter bowl while mixing on low speed. The ingredients will come together into a dry crumble.
- Add Cold Water: Gradually add cold water by the tablespoon to the mixture, stirring continuously until a smooth dough begins to form.
- Chill the Dough: Shape the dough into a ball and flatten it slightly into a disk. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dough: Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Place a piece of parchment paper on your work surface and roll the dough out into a large rectangle, less than ⅛ inch thick.
- Measure and Cut: Using a ruler, mark 1-inch intervals both vertically and horizontally to form a grid for cutting. With a pizza cutter or pastry cutter, carefully cut along these lines to create 1-inch squares, taking care not to cut through the parchment paper.
- Poke Holes: Use the flat end of a wooden skewer to poke a small hole in the center of each square. This step mimics classic Cheez Its ventilation and texture.
- Transfer to Baking Sheet: Carefully lift the parchment paper with the cut squares onto a large baking sheet, ensuring the squares are spaced apart and not touching.
- Brush with Olive Oil and Salt: Lightly brush the tops of each cheese square 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 begin to turn golden brown around the edges.
- Cool: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately transfer the parchment paper with crackers onto a cooling rack to cool completely and crisp up.
Notes
- Keep the dough chilled before rolling to make handling easier and help achieve a crisp texture.
- Use sharp cheddar for the best flavor and proper melt quality.
- Adjust water quantity as needed depending on humidity and flour absorption.
- Store baked Cheez Its in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- These crackers can be customized by adding spices like smoked paprika or garlic powder to the dough for extra flavor.
