Homemade Cheez-Its
Like most processed, packaged snacks, I didn’t really get into Cheez-Its until high school. Waaaaaay past the days of grade school sleepovers with Ritz crackers and spray cheese. Seriously, why did cheese from a can taste so good?! As far as snacks go, Cheez-Its were pretty darn good – they were crunchy, a little salty, and totally cheesy. That’s pretty much all I’ve ever needed to be sold on a snack.
Even though I’ve been making homemade version of packaged snacks for awhile now (Klondike bars, Twinkies, Hostess Cupcakes, Nutella, peanut butter cups), I never fail to be amazed at how relatively easy each one is to recreate at home. These replica Cheez-Its were no exception; it takes only 5 minutes to make the dough, then it’s just rolling out and cutting!
Can you believe that these only have five ingredients?! Just cheddar cheese, butter, flour, salt and water. That’s it!
Do you know the incredible thing that happens when a simple list of ingredients is used? You can taste each and every one of them, in all of their glory! These crackers might be the best thing to happen to my kitchen since… well, those peanut butter cup cookies I made yesterday… both were total winners!
These crackers taste unbelievably cheesy and buttery. When I took the pans out of the oven, my Chief Culinary Consultant and I hovered over them, popping cracker after cracker into our mouths until we had to slowly back away from the counter. Needless to say, these lasted a mere day in our house. If I would have had more time before we left, I would have made a double batch for car snacks on our way to the beach. They would have been perfect!
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The directions state to bake these for 15 to 17 minutes. The first pan I baked the lower amount, and found them to be closest to the color of the original Cheez-Its, albeit not quite as crunchy. The second batch I left in for an additional few minutes, and while they were a bit browner than what you’d normally see, they tasted pretty much exactly like them (minus the chemicals, of course!) and were super crunchy. That second batch was our preference, but feel free to play around and see what texture you prefer.
I think it’s safe to say you should just go ahead and make a double batch of these replica Cheez-Its before you get seriously upset with someone for eating the last one!
One year ago: Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Two years ago: Colossal Reese’s Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookies
Three years ago: Gazpacho
Four years ago: Baby Shower Cookies
Seven years ago: Dark Chocolate Chip Scones
Homemade Cheez-Its
Ingredients
- 8 ounces (226.8 g) extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup (56.75 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 to 3 tablespoons ice water
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix the cheese, butter, and salt on low speed until combined. Add the flour and mix on low until pebbly. Slowly add 2 tablespoons of the water and mix as the dough forms a ball. If needed, add the additional tablespoon of water a little at a time until the dough forms. Pat the dough into a disk, wrap with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Divide the dough into two pieces and roll each into a very thin 10x12-inch rectangle (the dough should be no more than ⅛-inch high). Using a fluted pastry wheel, cut the rectangles into 1-inch squares, then transfer them to the baking sheets.
- Bake for 15 to 17 minutes, or until puffed and browning at the edges. Immediately move the crackers to wire racks to cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
I made this with oat flour and they came out delicious. In case anyone was wondering :)
Best recipe! Husband loves these. I’ve tried a few different recipes and this one takes the cake! Or the cracker, lol.
These are fantastic and so easy to make! Make sure to not over cook them and they taste better the next day.
Wow, great! Chees-Its are one of my favorite snack and comfort foods, but they are absolutely not available in Asia. I’ve been craving something like this for a while. Thank you so much!
Yes, I made these at Thanksgiving and they were a huge hit – just the two of us for dinner but I made gift bundles for contactless delivery to friends.
I used extra sharp cheese which seemed a little too salty, so next time I’ll use medium cheddar.
Very good and easy! My kids loved them!
Have you ever heard of anyone using gluten free 1 to 1 flour? I’m going gluten free and trying to put my whole household on the same.
Hi Denise, Yes I have heard of many folks using that! I’ve never used it myself but have heard great things about the substitute.
I tried this recipe but used sharp VT white cheddar. The
Flavor was very good. I do think it might make more sense
To roll out dough and then refrigerate otherwise the texture
of finished cracker is more like pizza crust. Very good flavor and love that there are only a few ingredients!
Thank you so much for this recipe! My family is social distancing right now due to Covid-19, and my kids were really wanting Cheez-Its. There is no way I’m daring brave my grocery store right now, so I searched for a make at home recipe. They ate them all! We’re going to have to make more :)
I can not wait to see how this compares to the box of Cheese-It’s I buy !!! Having this recipe is VERY EXCITING !!! Thank you !
Can these be air fried instead of cooking in the oven?
You forgot in the instructions to poke a hole in each square so they will bake properly. . I’ve been making this for a while now because I love Cheez-Its. I like spice too so I add cayenne pepper to the dough and dust the squares with rough salt before baking.
Thank you for the tip!
Omg. Whoever said making homemade cheezits was a waste of time..never had a homemade cheezit. These are so good.
Has anyone used mild cheddar?
This is probably too late, but I did. They were great!
My goal for 2020 is to make everything I can from scratch to eliminate as many preservatives and chemicals as possible from our food. So I’m trying recipes out and just made these. The smell coming from the oven is absolutely wonderful and they are sooooo delicious. Way better than store bought. Yummy! Thank you for the recipe!
HI. I would love to try this recipe but don’t have a fluted wheel. Would a regular pizza cutter be okay to use?
Yes absolutely!
Do these freeze well? I’ve made the recipe a few times and love it, but wondering if wools be good to make in bulk ask oulk out as needed.
Extra dough can be wrapped in a plastic bag and stuck in the freezer, for whenever you get a hankering for a snack. Just thaw a while and cut.
Didnt turn out at all disappointed
I tried these. They were crispy but too salty. Easy to make recipe but definitely half the salt.
I dust the squares with salt instead of putting salt in the dough.
Made these several times and the family enjoys them. Once and awhile, I substitute bacon grease for the butter and omit the kosher salt. Family thinks it’s a treat when I do.
I made these for my husband because he loves cheez-its. He loved them. He was so happy I had made them. I loved them too. They were one of the easiest recipes I’ve made in a while. Theytasted really good though I could still taste chemicals. That’s probably because literally everything in the universe is made of chemicals. 🙂 Great recipe though! 👍
That looks delish
Hey there! I just pulled a batch of these out of the oven. I originally made a double batch of the dough, and I was wondering how long the dough can be kept in the fridge? Can it be frozen? Thanks! :)
Hi Lydia, You can keep the dough in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months!
I do not have a stand along mixer would a hand held one work??? Please let me know.
Hi Eunice, Yes, handheld mixer would work just fine!
Do you dust woth flour before you roll these out? How about forking little holes in them? I’ll be making these soon!
Hi Debbie, I didn’t need to, but you can use a small amount if necessary (both for rolling and poking holes).