Sizzling Spicy Homemade Cheez Its Recipe: Fiery Flavor Fun

Crackers with a serious kick burst onto your snack scene when you master this spicy homemade Cheez Its recipe that delivers bold flavor in every crispy bite.

These golden, crunchy squares pack more punch than store-bought versions.

Sharp cheddar melts into a dough that promises serious zest and heat.

Professional kitchens might envy your spice blend that turns simple ingredients into addictive nibbles.

Each crackers carries a delightful warmth that tingles the tongue without overwhelming your palate.

Cheese lovers and spice enthusiasts unite – this recipe guarantees snacking satisfaction that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Get ready to become the ultimate homemade cracker champion.

Serving Ideas for These Bold Cheez-Its

• Snack Time Party Platter: Create a colorful spread with these spicy cheez its alongside fresh veggie sticks, homemade ranch dip, and mixed nuts for a crowd-pleasing appetizer board.
• Wine and Cheese Companion: Pair these crispy crackers with a bold red wine or craft beer, complementing their sharp cheddar and spicy undertones for an elevated snacking experience.
• Game Night Munchies: Serve these homemade crackers during movie marathons, board game sessions, or casual gatherings as a unique and addictive finger food that guests will love.
• Lunchbox Surprise: Pack these crackers in small containers for work, school, or picnic lunches as a zesty alternative to store-bought snacks that will make midday meals more exciting.

How to Store Homemade Crackers Crisp

• Snack Storage Solutions: Keep these spicy crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for maximum crunch and flavor preservation.
• Freshness Extending Tricks: Layer parchment paper between cracker batches to prevent moisture buildup and maintain crispy texture for up to 5 days.
• Flavor Enhancement Strategy: Store crackers with a small silica gel packet to absorb excess humidity and keep them perfectly crisp.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dough up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate, allowing busy home cooks to enjoy fresh, homemade crackers without extensive daily preparation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Cook Time: 17 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 37 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 9

What Goes Into Spicy Homemade Cheez-Its

• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Provides intense, tangy flavor that gives crackers their signature cheesy punch; choose a high-quality, aged variety for maximum taste.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, tender texture and helps bind ingredients; select fresh, high-fat content butter for best results.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the structural backbone of the crackers; opt for unbleached flour for better texture and more authentic taste.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and adds delightful seasoning; select coarse-grain salt for perfect crunch and distribution.

• Olive Oil: Helps create golden, crispy exterior and adds subtle depth; choose extra virgin for best flavor.
• Additional Kosher Salt: Provides final seasoning boost and creates delectable salty crunch on top of crackers; sprinkle sparingly for balanced taste.
• Cold Water: Helps bind ingredients and create perfect dough consistency; use filtered water for cleanest result.

Tool You’ll Need to Make Spicy Crackers

• Mixing Bowl: Large container for combining ingredients.
• Standing Mixer or Electric Mixer: Essential for blending cheese and butter smoothly.
• Whisk: Quick tool for mixing flour and salt.
• Plastic Wrap: Needed to cover and rest dough.
• Parchment Paper: Crucial for rolling and baking crackers.
• Ruler: Helps create precise 1-inch squares.
• Pizza Cutter or Pastry Cutter: Perfect for cutting dough into crackers.
• Wooden Skewer: Creates small holes in each cracker.
• Baking Sheet: Supports crackers during baking.
• Cooling Rack: Allows crackers to cool evenly.
• Pastry Brush: Used for applying olive oil.

How to Make Cheesy Baked Snack Crackers

• Cheese Mixture Preparation

Blend sharp cheddar and butter using an electric mixer until creamy and fluffy, creating a smooth base for your crispy snack.

• Flour Integration

Gently fold flour into the cheese mixture, transforming the blend into a dry, crumbly texture that will become the foundation of your crackers.

• Dough Formation

Add small amounts of cold water to create a cohesive dough, then shape into a flat disk and chill in the refrigerator to develop rich flavors.

• Dough Rolling

Spread the chilled dough thinly on parchment paper, using a ruler to guide precise square shapes with a pizza cutter for uniform crackers.

• Cracker Detailing

Pierce each square with a wooden skewer, creating the classic signature hole that makes these crackers instantly recognizable.

• Seasoning

Lightly brush squares with olive oil and sprinkle with a delicate layer of salt to enhance the tangy cheese flavor.

• Baking

Bake in a preheated oven until edges turn golden brown, transforming the delicate squares into crunchy, irresistible snacks.

• Cooling

Transfer the fresh crackers to a cooling rack, allowing them to crisp up and develop their ultimate texture and flavor.

Tips for Heat, Texture, and Seasoning

• Customize Heat Levels by adjusting cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes quantity to match personal spice tolerance.
• Make Herb-Infused Versions by adding dried rosemary, thyme, or oregano directly into the dough for extra flavor complexity.
• Perfect Cracker Texture comes from rolling dough super thin and ensuring even cutting to create uniform, crispy bites.
• Store Smartly by keeping crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, maintaining their delightful crunchiness.

Fiery Homemade Cheez Its Recipe

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4.9 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 37 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Crispy, cheesy homemade cheez its deliver a nostalgic snack experience with bold flavors and crunchy texture. Baking enthusiasts can easily recreate this classic American cracker with simple ingredients and a quick preparation method.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 ounces (226 grams) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1.25 cups (296 ml) all-purpose flour
• 0.25 cup (59 ml) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
• 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 ml) cold water
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) kosher salt
• Salt for topping

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Instructions

1. Cheese Preparation: Whip sharp cheddar and butter using an electric mixer until light and fully combined, creating a smooth, airy base.
2. Dough Formation: Gradually blend flour mixture into cheese, transforming the consistency into a crumbly texture. Introduce cold water sparingly to create a cohesive, malleable dough.
3. Dough Resting: Form the dough into a compact disk, wrap completely in plastic, and refrigerate for one hour to develop robust flavors and optimal texture.
4. Dough Rolling: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll chilled dough into an ultra-thin rectangular sheet on parchment paper, ensuring a delicate thickness less than ⅛ inch.
5. Cracker Shaping: Precisely slice dough into uniform 1-inch squares using a ruler and pizza cutter. Puncture each square’s center with a wooden skewer to create traditional perforations.
6. Seasoning and Baking: Brush crackers with olive oil and generously sprinkle kosher salt. Transfer parchment paper with crackers to baking sheet, maintaining slight separation between pieces.
7. Finishing: Bake for 15-17 minutes until golden-brown and crispy. Immediately transfer to a cooling rack, allowing crackers to set and achieve ultimate crunchiness.

Notes

• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerating helps develop deeper flavor and prevents spreading, ensuring crisp, structured crackers.
• Precision Matters: Use a ruler and sharp pizza cutter to create uniform 1-inch squares for consistent baking and professional appearance.
• Mind the Thickness: Roll dough ultra-thin (less than ⅛ inch) to achieve authentic crispy, light cracker texture that mimics store-bought version.
• Perforation Technique: Skewer center of each square allows steam to escape, creating signature cheez-it holes and preventing potential puffing during baking.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 13 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg