Homemade Cheez-Its Recipe (Cheddar Cheese Crackers)

Looking for an alternative to store-bought crackers? Our Homemade Cheez Its are easy, cheesy, and irresistible.

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Ever since I was a kid, cheese crackers have been my favorite snack. These baked crackers are just like the original, Homemade Cheez Its for the win!

At the grocery store there is an endless variety of crackers to choose from. However, in a lot of them, there are a ton of added ingredients.

I love making staple recipes like this one at home because I know exactly what is going in it. Now, there is nothing wrong with store-bought items, I use them all the time, but when I have some extra time on my hands, I love to make recipes like this one.

Plus, they always come out better than the original!

That is so true about this easy recipe, made with REAL CHEESE, by the way! I know that probably doesn’t shock most of you, but I want to throw that out there.

They also go great on a charcuterie board, the perfect way to showcase your cracker-making skills at your next party.

Homemade Cheez Its are a staple recipe in our house. Try it one time, and you’ll be hooked too.

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Jump to:

• WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
• INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
• HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE CHEEZ ITS:
• FAQ: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
• WHAT ARE SOME VARIATIONS?
• DO I HAVE TO ADD THE HOLE IN THE CENTER?
• WHAT TO SERVE THESE WITH?
• HOW TO KEEP THEM FROM BECOMING SOGGY?
• ANY OTHER ADDITIONS?
• ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
• HOW TO STORE:
• DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
• Homemade Cheez Its

1. The perfect snack, and so much more flavorful than the store-bought version!
2. Excellent for snacking on their own or adding to other recipes.
3. Make them any flavor by switching out the cheese along with the basic ingredients.

• Sharp cheddar cheese
• All-purpose flour
• Unsalted butter, cold
• Fine sea salt
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Cayenne
• Ice cold water

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1. Shred the cheese by hand or shred it using your food processor attachment.
2. Place the shredded cheese, flour, butter, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne in a food processor with the standard blade.
3. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Keep pulsing while adding the ice water. The mixture will look slightly moist and begin to look like a dough.
5. Place the mixture into a large mixing bowl and knead it with your hands until it comes together into a smooth ball. Cover with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge for 1 hour.
6. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line sheet trays with parchment paper and set aside.

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1. Cut the dough in half and place it on a lightly floured, clean work surface. Keep the other half covered in the refrigerator.
2. Roll out the dough to ⅛ of an inch thick or thinner with a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface. Form into a rectangle shape, just do the best you can.
3. Cut the dough into 1-inch squares using a pastry cutter, pizza cutter, or something similar. Gather up the edges to use later and place them in the fridge.

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1. Take a toothpick and make a hole into the center of each square. Place the crackers not touching on to the prepared baking sheet.
2. Bake for 14-15 minutes until they are puffed up, appear dry on top, and very slightly start to brown along the edges. Allow the crackers to cool to room temperature on the sheet tray.
3. While the first batch is baking, roll out the second batch of the dough and repeat the rolling out and cutting process.
4. Finally, take all the scraps and roll them out to form your last squares and bake them off as well. 
5. Enjoy immediately once they are cooled.

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WHAT ARE SOME VARIATIONS?

Make these your own! This is a terrific base recipe to work off of. This homemade version gives you leeway to add your personal touches to this crunchy snack.

• Add different types of cheese, such as Gruyère, White Cheddar Cheese, or Swiss.
• Add spices such as ranch flavoring, bbq, or cajun seasoning. Or, smoked paprika or chipotle powder will give a smokey flavor.
• Add different herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, or oregano.

DO I HAVE TO ADD THE HOLE IN THE CENTER?

Yes, adding the hole in the center of the cracker is important so they don’t puff up like little pillows.

Adding the hole helps the air to escape, and the crackers keep their shape.

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WHAT TO SERVE THESE WITH?

These are great on their own or added to other recipes, such as homemade Chex mix or trail mix.

I also have used them in soups and salads!

HOW TO KEEP THEM FROM BECOMING SOGGY?

Bake the crackers on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This will help to prevent the crackers from sticking to the baking sheet and absorbing moisture from the pan.

Bake the crackers until they are lightly golden brown. If they are not golden brown, they will be soft and chewy.

Let the crackers cool completely before storing them. This will help to prevent them from becoming soggy.

ANY OTHER ADDITIONS?

I’ve got a few more ideas that you might want to try out.

• Sprinkle kosher salt for extra cheesy flavor.
• Add paprika for a smoky crisp texture.
• Mix sesame seeds into the smooth dough forms.
• Top with crushed herbs for a tasty treat twist.
• Include parmesan for a bolder real cheddar cheese kick.
• Dust garlic powder for more savory cheesy snacks.
• Stir chili flakes for a spicy homemade goldfish vibe.

ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?

Try a thing or two from this list and let me know how it goes!

• Use almond flour instead of all-purpose flour for crisp crackers.
• Swap unsalted butter with cold margarine for the dry ingredients.
• Replace sharp cheddar with colby for a milder cheesy flavor.
• Use cold water instead of ice water for the smooth dough forms.
• Substitute garlic powder with onion flakes for a tasty treat.
• Swap paprika with cayenne for a spicier homemade cheese crackers.

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ROOM TEMPERATURE: Store leftovers at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 7 days.

FREEZER: Freeze for up to 3 months.

Place leftovers in the freezer in a freezer-safe container. To thaw, place at room temperature until thawed.

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Ready to make a staple snack recipe at home? Homemade Cheez Its are one the whole family will love.

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