Description
Crispy, golden, and savory homemade cheese crackers that are easier to make than you think. These buttery, cheesy snacks are perfect for lunchboxes and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 2 cups (200g) sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2–3 tablespoons cold water
- 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds (optional)
- Sea salt flakes (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a food processor, pulse flour, salt, and grated cheese to combine.
- Add cold butter cubes and pulse in short bursts until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized bits of butter remaining.
- Add cold water one tablespoon at a time, pulsing gently until the dough starts to clump together. Do not over-mix.
- Turn dough out onto plastic wrap, form into a 1-inch thick rectangle, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about ⅛-inch thickness.
- Cut the dough into 2-inch squares or rectangles using a pizza cutter or sharp knife.
- Prick each cracker 3-4 times with a fork to prevent puffing.
- Brush tops lightly with egg wash and sprinkle with poppy seeds and sea salt flakes.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are golden brown and centers are set.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before storing.
Notes
Keep all ingredients cold to ensure flaky crackers. Do not use pre-shredded cheese as it contains anti-caking agents. If the dough feels warm while rolling, chill it again. Crackers will crisp up significantly as they cool completely.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cracker
- Calories: 120
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Protein: 3
Keywords: homemade cheese crackers, back-to-school snacks, kid-friendly snacks, cheddar crackers, easy snack recipe, gluten-free option