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Southern Chipotle Cheese Straws, the classic southern snack with a kick will elevate your snack time up a notch. Super easy to make with minimal ingredients, you won’t be able to stop at just one!

These Cheese Straws are one of my absolute favorite snacks that I make that take minimal ingredients and time. They are fun, flavorful, and easy.

I love easy snacks because I have to admit, I am a snacker and I really love making my own homemade snacks that I can have on hand whenever I have a craving.

Seriously, I’ve always got goldfish crackers or some savory cookie on hand. Why not make them homemade?

So along comes this recipe for southern cheese straws and I’m hooked! They’re pretty much the best cheese straws ever.

The salty and cheesiness of these straws will blow your mind and make the best combination ever! You really can’t go wrong with this recipe at all.

They will be one that you want to make over and over again, at least we do. We make these more than pretty much any other snack because everyone loves them.

Usually, we have everything on hand for them so that also makes it easy for us. So let’s just say that these Cheese Straws will really just satisfy any snack craving.

Some of our other favorite snack recipes include: Turkey Pinwheel Recipe, Bacon Ranch Chicken Dip and Sweet Chipotle Bacon Crackers.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

Crunchy and packed with a cheesy flavor with a smokey kick you will find a great flavor variation.
You can double this recipe to make more. Or just make longer straws!
Cater the spices to your likes! Simple ingredients make it really easy.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):

Sharp cheddar cheese
Unsalted butter
All-purpose flour
Chipotle powder
Garlic powder
Salt
Pepper

Ingredients needed to make Cheese Straws.

HOW TO MAKE cheese straws:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter with the cheddar cheese until light and fluffy and resembles whipped cream, 10-15 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl every few minutes to evenly incorporate.
Taking half of the sifted flour, place it in a medium-sized bowl. Add the chipotle powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper and mix to combine. Slowly add the mixture to the butter/cheese mix one large spoonful at a time.
Scrape down the sides as needed. Once this is all mixed in, add in the remaining flour little by little until you get a consistency that will be able to be piped but not wet. You might not need all of the flour. It will be a soft dough that is not sticky.
Place mixture into a piping bag with an open star tip (alternatively, you can use a cookie press or even roll out the dough, cut, and make crackers), pipe out long straws onto a sheet tray sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 18-20 minutes until lightly golden brown on the edges and crispy.
With an offset spatula, carefully transfer straws to a cooling rack. Cool completely, serve, and enjoy!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:

WHAT KIND OF CHEESE SHOULD I USE?

We use sharp cheddar for this recipe as it really makes the cheese flavor come out.

You can use any cheese that you like to switch up the flavor.

Medium or mild cheddar, Colby jack, Monterey jack, pepper jack, etc. All should work fine but we find that the sharp cheddar is the best for this recipe.

CAN I MAKE THESE SMALLER?

Absolutely! You can pipe into smaller lengths (I like 1 inch strips) to have smaller straws than the larger ones that we make.

You will have to cut the baking time down slightly.

We like to make long ones as just one is a great snack to grab and go, but if you want to munch on them for a while then piping out smaller ones will be a great idea!

CAN I DOUBLE THIS RECIPE?

You absolutely can, and I highly encourage it as these are super addictive so making more is a great idea if you want a fun and easy snack that you can have around.

Broken Cheese Straws on pan lined with parchment paper.

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ANY ADDITIONS?

Homemade cheese straws are the perfect snack. You can add anything you want to these little cheese sticks!

Red Pepper Flakes: Add red pepper flakes for an extra kick of heat and a hint of spice.
Parmesan Cheese: Mix in some grated Parmesan cheese for a rich, savory flavor, making them a big hit.
Fresh Herbs: Add chopped fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or chives for an herby twist, enhancing the classic southern delicacy.
Cayenne Pepper: Sprinkle a bit of cayenne pepper for a spicier version that adds to the crunchy texture.
Paprika: Add smoked paprika for a smoky flavor that pairs well with the cheddar cheese.
Poppy Seeds: Sprinkle poppy seeds on top for a crunchy texture and a fun party snack.
Sesame Seeds: Add sesame seeds to the dough for extra crunch and flavor, perfect for a charcuterie board.
Onion Powder: Include onion powder for a subtle onion flavor that complements the cheese.
Mustard Powder: Add a touch of mustard powder for a tangy kick and a unique twist on this classic southern snack.
Bacon Bits: Mix in some bacon bits for a savory, meaty addition, making these cheese straws even more irresistible.

ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?

Feel free to try out some of these subs for your own cheddar cheese straws recipe.

Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Use extra sharp cheddar cheese for a stronger flavor or substitute with any other sharp cheese like Gouda or Gruyere.
Chipotle Powder: Substitute with chili powder or smoked paprika for a different kind of heat, adding variety to your savory cookies.
Garlic Powder: Use onion powder or minced fresh garlic for a variation in flavor, making the cheese mixture even more delicious.
All-Purpose Flour: Substitute with whole wheat flour for a healthier option, maintaining the great texture of the cheese straw dough.
Unsalted Butter: Use salted butter and reduce the added salt in the recipe, ensuring a perfect balance of flavors.
Black Pepper: Replace with white pepper for a milder taste, suitable for personal consumption and those with a medically restrictive diet.

HOW TO STORE:

These Cheese Straws can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

To reheat and crisp up bake at 350 degrees F for 4-5 minutes on parchment paper so they don’t stick.

Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:

We like sharp cheddar for this recipe but you can use your favorite cheese for a different flavor.
You can pipe these into smaller straws to have more to snack on.
Double this recipe to have more on hand!
Freshly shredded cheese is best for this recipe.

Hand holding up Cheese Straws broken in half.

Next time you are looking for that fun, cheesy, and crunchy snack recipe that you won’t be able to put down then you need to make these Cheese Straws.

They’re the perfect snack for family gatherings or just because!

If you like this recipe, you might also like:

If you’ve tried these CHEESE STRAWS let me know in the comments how it turned out! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!

Square image of Cheese Straws on wire rack

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5 from 2 votes