Homemade Cheez-Its are delicious cheesy crackers that can be made in the air fryer or oven. The fresh ingredients give you a flavor explosion from the cheddar cheese. You'll never want a store made cracker again.
- All-purpose flour binds the ingredients together.
- Unsalted butter gives the melt in your mouth flavor needed for a great cracker.
- Cheddar cheese and a great quality cheddar is needed for amazing flavor.
- Garlic and onion powder add another level of flavor for a great cracker.
- Salt will bring out the flavor of the cheese and spices.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Just a few ingredients make delicious crackers.
- Use either the air fryer or bake the cheez-its.
- Homemade crackers taste so much better than store made.
Instructions
- In a food processor, pulse the cheese, butter and spices together a few times.
2. Add in the flour and pulse again, to combine ingredients. Add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough forms a ball.
3. Split the dough into 3 dough balls. Cover and place into fridge for 1-2 hours.
4. Remove and flatten each dough ball on a floured surface. Cut the edges to form a square and use a fluted pastry cutter to cut 1” squares. Salt and place in air fryer basket. Using a toothpick, punch whole in center of cracker to avoid puffing up.
5. Cook on 370 for 6 minutes. Remove and let cool and dry.
(Homemade Cheez-Its oven baked instructions are included in the recipe card below.)
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Food Processor
- Rolling Pin
- Pastry Cutter
- Measuring Spoons and Cup
- Cheese Grater
- Use block cheese and grate it yourself to ensure the freshest cheddar flavor.
- Be sure to let the dough rest in the fridge for at least 2 hours before forming the dough.
- The crackers cook quickly. Do not let them over bake.
Variations
- Mix in a teaspoon of any of your favorite seasonings, such as Cajun, Homemade Seasoning, or Taco Seasoning.
- Use any of your favorite cheese or cheese blends. Some great choices are Gouda, Fontina, Colby Jack, and Gruyere.
- Combine different cheese with spices such as Rosemary and Gouda or Monterey Jack and Cumin.
- Add in Ranch seasoning for a nice flavor to your crackers.
- If you are on a Keto or Low-Carb diet, Almond flour can be used instead of all-purpose flour
- Gluten-free option, Bobs Red Mill 1 for 1 flour works great.
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely. Details will be below in the recipe card. The crackers wFollow the instructions until air frying. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place either parchment paper or a Silpat on a baking sheet. Put the prepared uncooked crackers.
We have experimented and Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten-Free flour works well.
Storage
Homemade Cheez-Its can be stored in an air tight in the fridge for up to 5 days. We do not recommend keeping them out at room temperature because of the us of the cheese and butter.
We love to double this recipe and make a second batch to keep in the freezer for a later day. The crackers can defrost in the fridge for a few hours.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy a great snack? Me too! How about noshing on this tasty Beer Cheese Dip along with pretzels and these cheese crackers?
Instant Pot Hummus and Boursin Cheese dip are both delicious dipping ideas for this cheez-it recipe.
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📖 Recipe
Homemade Cheez-Its, Air Fryer or Baked
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Equipment Needed:
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded Note 1
- 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 + 2 Tablespoons cups all-purpose flour 2 Tablespoons of flour will be for the flat surface the crackers are cut on so they do not stick. Note 2 - Gluten-Free option
- 2-3 Tablespoons water
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt, optional topping before baking
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Instructions
How to Make Air Fryer Cheez-Its
- In a food processor, add the shredded cheese, butter, garlic powder, onion power, and salt. Pulse a few times to blend the ingredients.
- Mix in the flour and pulse to blend into the other ingredients.
- Add 1 Tablespoon of water and pulse 2-3 times. If the dough has not yet formed a round ball, add the second Tablespoon of water. Again, pulse a few times. The dough should form a ball.
- Cut the dough into 3 separate balls of dough. Cover and place into fridge for 1-2 hours. This allows the dough to get nice and cold so it cuts easily.
- Remove one piece of dough from the fridge. Place on a lightly floured work surface and flatten the dough.
- If you plan to salt the crackers, do so now. Use a fluted pastry cutter to cut the dough into 1" squares. Use a toothpick to punch a hole in the center of each cracker. This avoids them puffing up.
- Put the crackers in the air fryer basket. Bake at 370°F for 6 minutes. Remove crackers. Let them cool and dry on a wire cooling rack.
- Repeat this process with the 2 other balls of dough.
How to Bake Homemade Cheez-Its
- Follow steps 1 through 6 above.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or Silpat.
- Place the cut and prepared crackers from step 6 onto the baking sheet.
- Bake in the heated oven about 15 - 16 minutes. The edges will be golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.
- The cheez-its can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for about 5 days.
NOTES
- Mix in a teaspoon of any of your favorite seasonings, such as Cajun, Homemade Seasoning, or Taco Seasoning.
- Use any of your favorite cheese or cheese blends. Some great choices are Gouda, Fontina, Colby Jack, and Gruyere.
- Combine different cheese with spices such as Rosemary and Gouda or Monterey Jack and Cumin.
- Add in Ranch seasoning for a nice flavor to your crackers.
