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Homemade Cheez Its Recipe

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4.2 from 9 reviews

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.

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.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/homemade-cheez-its-recipe/