Spicy Homemade Cheez Its Recipe for Snack Lovers

Homemade Cheez Its pack a serious crunch and flavor punch that store-bought versions can’t match.

These golden, crispy crackers emerge from your kitchen with an irresistible zesty profile that enhances snack time.

Sharp cheese and subtle spices dance together, creating a delightful bite-sized treat that tingles taste buds.

Crafting these crackers requires minimal ingredients and basic kitchen skills, making them accessible for home cooks of all levels.

Small batches disappear quickly, so you might want to double the recipe from the start.

Cheese lovers appreciate the intense, authentic flavor that comes from selecting quality ingredients and mixing them with care.

Anyone who craves a spicy, cheesy snack will fall in love with this straightforward recipe.

Spicy Homemade Cheez-Its Worth the Crunch

• Craft Gourmet Snack: Elevate your homemade cheese cracker game with this spicy, crispy delight that beats store-bought versions hands down.
• Texture Perfection: Achieve an incredibly light, super-crunchy cracker with a delicate, flaky texture that shatters perfectly between your teeth.
• Flavor Explosion: Pack a zesty punch with sharp cheddar and a sprinkle of salt, creating an addictive snack that delivers complex, tangy notes in every bite.
• Easy Customization: Experiment with different cheese types or add cayenne pepper for extra heat, making this recipe a versatile canvas for your culinary creativity.

Ingredients for Spicy Homemade Cheez-Its

• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Rich, tangy base for crackers with bold flavor profile.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps create tender, flaky texture.

• Cold Water: Helps bind dough together and create proper consistency.

• All-Purpose Flour: Fundamental structure for crispy cracker base.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor and adds classic seasoning.
• Olive Oil: Adds golden color and helps create crisp exterior with slight sheen.

Directions to Bake Spicy Homemade Cheez-Its

Step 1: Whip Up Cheesy Base

Cream butter and cheddar cheese using a stand mixer or electric mixer. Beat on medium-high speed for 4-5 minutes until the mixture becomes fluffy and well-combined.

Step 2: Create Dry Mixture

Combine flour and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the cheese mixture on low speed until it transforms into a crumbly texture.

Step 3: Form Magical Dough

Slowly add cold water, one teaspoon at a time, until the mixture transforms into a cohesive dough. Knead gently until smooth.

Step 4: Chill The Dough

Shape the dough into a disk and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld and dough to rest.

Step 5: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 6: Roll And Shape Crackers

Roll out chilled dough on parchment paper into a thin rectangle, less than 1/8 inch thick. Use a ruler and pizza cutter to create 1-inch squares.

Step 7: Add Signature Touches

Poke a small hole in the center of each square using a wooden skewer. This helps crackers bake evenly and looks authentic.

Step 8: Season And Prep

Brush each cracker square with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with kosher salt for an extra flavor punch.

Step 9: Bake To Perfection

Slide parchment paper with crackers onto baking sheet. Bake for 15-17 minutes until edges turn golden brown and crispy.

Step 10: Cool And Enjoy

Remove from oven and transfer parchment paper directly to a cooling rack. Let crackers cool completely to achieve maximum crunchiness.

Tips for Perfect Spicy Cheez-Its Texture

• Cheese Selection Matters: Choose a high-quality, extra-sharp cheddar for maximum flavor intensity and authentic cheesy crunch.
• Chill for Perfection: Don't skip refrigeration time; cold dough ensures crisp, structured crackers that hold their shape during baking.
• Roll Thin for Crispiness: Use a rolling pin with measurement guides or carefully measure to achieve an ultra-thin, consistent dough thickness around ⅛ inch.
• Spacing is Key: Leave small gaps between crackers to ensure even browning and prevent them from sticking together during baking.
• Customize Heat Levels: Experiment with different spice blends like cayenne, smoked paprika, or red pepper flakes to adjust the spiciness to your preference.

Storing and Reheating Spicy Homemade Cheez-Its

• Refrigeration: Store cooled cheez its in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain crispness and prevent moisture absorption.
• Countertop Storage: Keep crackers at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring the container remains sealed in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight.
• Reheating Method: Crisp up slightly softened crackers by placing them on a baking sheet and warming in a preheated 350°F oven for 3-5 minutes until they regain their original crunchiness.

Snack Pairings for Spicy Homemade Cheez-Its

• Spice Up Your Sip: Pair these homemade cheesy crackers with a crisp, hoppy India Pale Ale (IPA) that cuts through the rich, spicy flavors and complements the sharp cheddar's tanginess.
• Cool Down the Heat: Serve alongside a chilled, creamy ranch dip or a smooth blue cheese dressing to balance the spiciness and provide a cooling contrast to the crackers.
• Wine Lover's Delight: Choose a bold, full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or a zesty Malbec to match the intense cheese and spice profile of these homemade Cheez-Its.
• Snack Time Companion: Enjoy with a light, refreshing cucumber-mint mocktail that cleanses the palate and offers a soothing counterpoint to the crackers' spicy kick.

Bold Twists on Homemade Cheez-Its

• Jalapeño Cheddar Crunch: Finely dice fresh jalapeños and mix into the cheese mixture for a spicy kick that adds bold heat to the classic crackers.
• Smoky Paprika Crisp: Incorporate smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne pepper into the flour mixture, creating a deep, rich flavor profile with subtle warmth.
• Ranch Seasoned Crackers: Blend dried ranch seasoning mix directly into the flour before combining with cheese, transforming the crackers into a tangy, herb-infused snack.
• Black Pepper Parmesan Edition: Replace sharp cheddar with aged parmesan cheese and add freshly ground black pepper for an elegant, sophisticated cracker variation that provides a sharp, nutty undertone.

Spicy Homemade Cheez Its Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 37 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Homemade spicy cheez-its bring zesty cracker magic straight to kitchen counters. Sharp cheddar and cayenne pepper combine in crispy, addictive bites that crunch with bold flavor you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
• 8 ounces (226 grams) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 0.25 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2–3 tablespoons cold water
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Salt for topping

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Instructions

1. Cream sharp cheddar cheese and butter together using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light, airy, and fully integrated, approximately 4-5 minutes.
2. Whisk salt into flour, then gradually incorporate the flour mixture into the cheese blend on low speed until it transforms into a coarse, crumbly texture.
3. Introduce cold water sparingly, mixing until the ingredients cohesively form a malleable dough.
4. Shape the dough into a compact disk, encase completely in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes to enhance flavor development and texture.
5. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread parchment paper on the work surface and roll the chilled dough into an ultra-thin rectangular sheet, ensuring the thickness is less than ⅛ inch.
6. Using a ruler and pizza cutter, meticulously slice the dough into precise 1-inch squares, creating uniform crackers.
7. Pierce the center of each square with a wooden skewer to allow steam escape and create traditional cheez-it perforations.
8. Carefully transfer the parchment paper with dough squares onto a baking sheet, maintaining slight separation between pieces.
9. Delicately brush each cracker with olive oil and sprinkle generously with kosher salt for enhanced flavor profile.
10. Bake for 15-17 minutes, watching for a golden-brown transformation that signals crispy perfection.
11. Immediately remove from oven and transfer crackers on parchment paper to a cooling rack, allowing them to crisp and set.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to develop a flaky, crisp texture that mimics classic Cheez-Its.
• Ensure the dough is rolled extremely thin for that signature cracker-like crunch and light, airy bite.
• Use freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese for maximum flavor intensity and authentic cheesy taste.
• Poke small holes in each cracker to prevent bubbling and create the traditional Cheez-It appearance.
• Sprinkle extra salt on top just before baking to enhance the savory, addictive quality of the crackers.
• Cool crackers completely on the parchment paper to maintain their crisp texture and prevent sogginess.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 17 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 0.5 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg