Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) salted butter (softened)
- ½ teaspoon seasoning salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 2–3 tablespoons ice water
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a food processor or blender, pulse the shredded cheddar cheese, softened butter, seasoning salt, and garlic powder until the mixture becomes crumbly. Add the flour and pulse until the dough resembles coarse sand. Drizzle in the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and continue pulsing until the dough begins to form a ball. Add one more tablespoon of water if needed.
- Chill the Dough: Transfer the dough to a sheet of plastic wrap, shape it into a disc, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll and Shape the Dough: Cut the chilled dough in half and roll out each half on a lightly floured surface to about ⅛-¼ inch thick. Use a sharp knife or pastry cutter to cut the dough into small squares, approximately 1 inch in size. Use a skewer or toothpick to poke a hole in the center of each square.
- Bake the Cheeze-Its: Arrange the squares on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a small space between each piece. Bake for 12-16 minutes, or until the crackers are crisp and lightly golden around the edges. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the baking sheet before serving or storing.
Notes
- Storage: Store homemade Cheeze-Its in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze the crackers in a sealed bag or container for up to 3 months. Let them come to room temperature before enjoying.
- Tips:
- Chilling the dough for at least an hour makes it easier to handle and roll out.
- To get that iconic “cheesy crunch,” roll the dough as thin as possible without tearing.
- Bake the crackers long enough to ensure they dry out and become golden brown and crispy. Let them cool on wire racks to keep them crispy.
- You can brush the crackers with an egg wash before baking for a glossy finish, but it’s not necessary for this recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cracker
- Calories: 18
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
