Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2–3 tablespoons cold water
Optional Seasonings and Toppings
- Paprika, garlic powder, or cayenne pepper (to taste)
- Sea salt for sprinkling
- Dried rosemary or thyme for herb-infused variation
- Sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or flax seeds for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Grate the sharp cheddar cheese finely. In a large bowl, combine the grated cheese with the all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt. Add the cold cubed butter, blending with your fingertips or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly add cold water, mixing gently until the dough just comes together.
- Chill the dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to relax the gluten and help the crackers hold their shape during baking.
- Roll and cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into preferred shapes such as squares or triangles using a knife or cookie cutter.
- Add toppings and prepare for baking: Arrange the cut crackers on a parchment-lined baking sheet with space between each piece for even cooking. Optionally, sprinkle with sea salt, paprika, or seeds for extra flavor and crunch.
- Bake to perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until edges turn golden and crackers become crisp. Monitor closely in the last few minutes to prevent burning.
Notes
- Use cold ingredients to achieve a flaky texture.
- Roll dough evenly for uniform crispness.
- Avoid overworking the dough to keep crackers tender yet crisp.
- Chill dough thoroughly to make cutting easier and maintain shapes.
- Start checking crackers early while baking as ovens vary.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 crackers
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: Homemade cheese crackers, cheesy snack, crispy crackers, gluten free crackers, savory snack, easy appetizer