In this guide, we will go through the steps to concoct your very own homemade cheez-its. This snack, perfect for any occasion, is not only delicious but also so simple to make that even a culinary novice can manage. With the right ingredients and a bit of patience, you'll be impressing your friends and family with these crispy, cheesy delights in no time.
While most of the ingredients should be readily available in your home, sharp cheddar cheese is an integral part of this recipe and should not be substituted. You may also need to ensure you have shortening and paprika. Shortening is a type of fat often used in baking and can be found in the baking aisle of most supermarkets. Paprika, a ground spice from red pepper, is usually found in the spice aisle.
Ingredients Required for Homemade Cheez-its
Cheddar cheese: This is the star of the show, providing the sharp, tangy flavor that is characteristic of cheez-its.
Butter: Adds a bit of richness to the crackers and helps achieve the perfect texture.
Shortening: Assists in giving the crackers their light, flaky texture.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and gives the crackers a savory edge.
Flour: This is the base of the dough, providing structure for the crackers.
Water: Binds the dough together.
Paprika: Adds a hint of warmth and depth to the flavor of the crackers.
One reader, Charlton Lathrop says:
This homemade cheez-its recipe is a game-changer! The crackers turned out so flavorful and crispy. I loved the simple ingredients and the satisfaction of making my own snacks. It's a must-try for anyone who loves cheese crackers. I can't wait to make them again!
Techniques Required for Making Homemade Cheez-Its
How to prepare the dough: Combine the cheese, butter, shortening, and salt in a bowl using a mixer on medium speed until well combined.
How to roll out the dough: On a well-floured surface, roll out the dough into a thin square, less than ⅛-inch thick.
How to cut the dough: Use a pastry wheel to cut the rolled-out dough into 1-inch squares.
How to bake the crackers: Bake the cut dough at 375 degrees F for 12 to 15 minutes or until light brown at the edges.
How to cool the crackers: Transfer the baked crackers to a cooling rack and allow them to cool before serving.
How To Make Homemade Cheez-Its
Making these classic Cheez-Its at home is as easy as 1-2-3! They’re made with just a few simple ingredients, and tastes just like the store bought crackers.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 8ozsharp cheddar cheese,shredded
- 1tbspbutter,cold, cut into small pieces
- 3tbspshortening
- 1tspkosher salt,or sea salt
- 1cupflour
- 2tbspice cold water
- ⅛tsppaprika
Instructions
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With a mixer in medium speed, combine the cheese, butter, shortening, and salt in a bowl.
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Add in the flour and paprika, then mix on low.
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Add the water in a slow stream just until dough forms a ball.
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Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, then refrigerate at least 1 hour.
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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On a well floured surface, roll out the dough into a thin square, less than ⅛-inches.
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With a pastry wheel, cut the dough into 1-inch squares.
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Use a skewer or toothpick to poke a hole in the center of each square.
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Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until light brown at the edges.
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Transfer the crackers to a cooling rack, then allow to cool.
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Serve, and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 302.98kcal
- Fat: 21.31g
- Saturated Fat: 10.17g
- Trans Fat: 1.37g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 6.34g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.50g
- Carbohydrates: 16.43g
- Fiber: 0.58g
- Sugar: 0.17g
- Protein: 11.27g
- Cholesterol: 43.64mg
- Sodium: 244.59mg
- Calcium: 259.16mg
- Potassium: 52.68mg
- Iron: 0.32mg
- Vitamin A: 116.78µg
- Vitamin C: 0.00mg
Technique Tip for Perfecting Your Homemade Cheez-Its
When rolling out the dough, it's important to aim for a consistent thickness. This ensures that all your cheez-its will bake evenly. If some are thicker than others, they may not cook through properly, while the thinner ones could overcook and become too hard. Using a rolling pin with adjustable rings can help achieve an even thickness.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Cheez-Its at Home
Plan ahead: Prepare all your ingredients and equipment before starting the recipe to streamline the cooking process.
Use pre-shredded cheese: Save time by using pre-shredded cheese instead of grating it yourself.
Chill the dough: While the dough is chilling in the refrigerator, use that time to clean up your workspace and utensils.
Batch cooking: Consider making a larger batch and storing the extra cheez-its for future use.
Use a pizza cutter: Instead of a pastry wheel, use a pizza cutter to quickly cut the dough into squares.
Silpat mat: Use a Silpat mat instead of parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
Bake in batches: If your oven is large enough, consider baking multiple trays of cheez-its at once to save time.
Invest in a food processor: Use a food processor to quickly combine the ingredients and form the dough.
Substitute Ingredients For Homemade Cheez-Its Recipe
sharp cheddar cheese - Substitute with Gouda cheese: Gouda cheese has a similar sharpness and nutty flavor that can work well in this recipe.
butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine can be used as a substitute for butter in this recipe to achieve a similar texture and flavor.
shortening - Substitute with butter: Butter can be used as a substitute for shortening to add richness and flavor to the homemade Cheez-Its.
kosher salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a substitute for kosher salt to provide a similar level of saltiness and flavor enhancement.
flour - Substitute with gluten-free flour: Gluten-free flour can be used as a substitute for regular flour to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
ice cold water - Substitute with ice cold milk: Ice cold milk can be used as a substitute for ice cold water to add richness and a slight creaminess to the dough.
paprika - Substitute with smoked paprika: Smoked paprika can be used as a substitute for regular paprika to add a smoky flavor to the homemade Cheez-Its.
Presenting Your Homemade Cheez-Its
Elevate the plating: Arrange the homemade cheez-its in a precise and visually appealing manner on a sleek and modern serving platter. Pay attention to symmetry and spacing to create an elegant and sophisticated presentation.
Incorporate contrasting colors: Introduce vibrant and colorful elements such as fresh herbs or edible flowers to add a pop of color to the plating. This will create visual interest and enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the dish.
Utilize negative space: Embrace the concept of negative space on the plate to allow the homemade cheez-its to stand out. Avoid overcrowding the plate and focus on creating a balanced composition that highlights the beauty of the dish.
Add a touch of sophistication with garnishes: Consider incorporating finely grated parmesan cheese or a sprinkle of smoked paprika as a finishing touch to add depth of flavor and a touch of elegance to the presentation.
Emphasize precision and attention to detail: Pay meticulous attention to the placement of each cheez-it on the plate, ensuring uniformity and precision in the arrangement to showcase the craftsmanship and culinary expertise behind the dish.
Essential Tools for Making Cheez-Its at Home
Food processor: A food processor is a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for shredding cheese, mixing dough, pureeing vegetables, and much more. It's a great tool for quickly and efficiently combining ingredients.
Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is essential for combining ingredients, whether it's for making dough, batters, or mixing seasonings. It's available in various sizes and materials, such as stainless steel, glass, or ceramic, to suit different cooking needs.
Pastry wheel: A pastry wheel is a handy tool for cutting dough into precise shapes, such as squares for homemade Cheez-Its. It can also be used for creating decorative edges on pastry crusts and cutting pasta dough.
Parchment paper: Parchment paper is a non-stick baking paper that is essential for lining baking sheets. It prevents food from sticking to the pan and makes for easy cleanup.
Rolling pin: A rolling pin is used to flatten and shape dough, whether it's for cookies, pie crusts, or crackers. It helps to achieve an even thickness and texture for the dough.
Skewer or toothpick: Skewers or toothpicks are used to poke holes in the center of each homemade Cheez-It square before baking. This helps the crackers to bake evenly and prevents them from puffing up too much.
Storing and Freezing Your Homemade Cheez-Its
Allow the cheez-its to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. This will help maintain their crispiness and prevent them from becoming soggy.
Store the homemade cheez-its in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Make sure the container is sealed tightly to keep out any moisture or air.
For longer storage, you can freeze the cheez-its. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Label the container with the date and contents.
When freezing, it's best to arrange the cheez-its in a single layer to prevent them from sticking together. If you need to stack multiple layers, place a piece of parchment paper between each layer.
Frozen homemade cheez-its can be stored for up to 2 months. When you're ready to enjoy them, remove the desired amount from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
To restore the crispiness of the thawed cheez-its, you can place them in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 3-5 minutes, or until they're crisp again. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
If you find that the cheez-its have lost their crispiness over time, even without freezing, you can refresh them in the oven using the same method mentioned above.
How To Reheat Leftover Homemade Cheez-Its
The best way to reheat leftover homemade cheez-its is to place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until they are crisp and warm throughout. This method helps to restore their original crunch and flavor.
Alternatively, you can reheat the cheez-its in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and place the crackers in a single layer in the basket. Air fry for 2-3 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until they are crisp and heated through.
For a quick and convenient method, you can also reheat the cheez-its in the microwave. Place them on a microwave-safe plate and heat in 15-second intervals, checking their texture and temperature after each interval. Be careful not to overheat them, as they may become soft or soggy.
If you prefer a slightly softer texture, you can wrap the cheez-its in a damp paper towel before microwaving them for 15-20 seconds. This will help to soften them while still retaining some of their crunch.
For a fun twist, try sprinkling some additional shredded cheddar cheese or grated parmesan over the cheez-its before reheating them in the oven or air fryer. This will add an extra layer of cheesy goodness to your already delicious snack.
Random Fact About Homemade Cheez-Its
Cheez-Its were first introduced in 1921 by the Green & Green Company, and they were made with real cheese.
Is Making Cheez-Its at Home Cost-Effective?
The cost-effectiveness of this homemade cheez-its recipe is quite favorable. The main ingredients, such as cheddar cheese and flour, are relatively affordable and commonly found in households. The recipe yields a substantial amount of cheez-its, making it suitable for a family of four. The approximate cost for the entire recipe is around $5, making it a budget-friendly option. In terms of taste and satisfaction, this recipe rates a solid 8 out of 10, offering a delicious and economical snack option for households.
Are Homemade Cheez-Its Healthy or Unhealthy?
This homemade Cheez-Its recipe, while undeniably delicious, is not particularly healthy. The main ingredients - sharp cheddar cheese, butter, and shortening - are all high in saturated fats, which can contribute to heart disease and other health issues when consumed in excess. The recipe also calls for a significant amount of salt, which can lead to high blood pressure and other complications if overconsumed.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Replace some or all of the shortening with a healthier fat source, such as olive oil or coconut oil
- Use a reduced-fat cheddar cheese to lower the overall fat content
- Experiment with whole wheat or almond flour instead of all-purpose flour to increase the fiber and nutrient content
- Reduce the amount of salt used, or replace it with a salt substitute or herbs and spices for flavor
- Incorporate additional seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs, to enhance the flavor without relying on excessive salt or fat
By making these adjustments, you can create a more nutritious version of this classic snack that still satisfies your cravings for a crunchy, cheesy treat. Remember, moderation is key - even with healthier modifications, it's important to enjoy these homemade Cheez-Its as part of a balanced diet.
Editor's Thoughts on This Homemade Snack Recipe
This homemade Cheez-Its recipe is a delightful twist on the classic snack. The combination of sharp cheddar cheese, butter, and paprika creates a rich and savory flavor that is sure to please. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, making it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels. The end result is a batch of crispy, cheesy crackers that are perfect for snacking or serving at gatherings. Overall, this recipe is a winner and a must-try for anyone who loves the original Cheez-Its.
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Why trust this Homemade Cheez-Its Recipe:
This recipe guarantees a delicious and authentic cheddar cheese experience, crafted with precision and expertise. The combination of sharp cheddar cheese and butter ensures rich, savory flavors, while the addition of paprika adds a subtle hint of smokiness. The use of shortening and ice cold water results in a perfect texture, creating crispy, golden-brown cheez-its that will delight your taste buds. Trust in the quality of the ingredients and the meticulous preparation process to deliver a homemade snack that's truly exceptional.
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