Our Homemade Cheez-Its are crisp, cheesy, and way easier to make than you’d think. We’ve tested and perfected this recipe, and with just a few simple ingredients, you get real cheddar cheese crackers that bake up golden, crunchy, and seriously satisfying.
What Are Homemade Cheez-Its?
Homemade Cheez Its are a healthier, preservative-free alternative to the popular store-bought package, offering a fresher flavor and a crispier, lighter crunch. This easy homemade cheez-its recipe is a fun way to get kids cooking in the kitchen, with the added bonus of being customizable to fit different diets, including gluten-free and keto-friendly options.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Made with real cheddar for bold, cheesy flavor
- No mystery ingredients—just simple pantry staples and customizable for different diets—gluten-free and keto-friendly options included
- Crisp texture that rivals the store-bought kind
- Easy to roll, cut, and bake at home
- Tested and perfected for consistent, crunchy results every time
Ingredients for Homemade Cheez-Its
- Sharp cheddar cheese: For a different flavor twist on your homemade cheese crackers, try using white cheddar, Colby, pepper jack, or even extra sharp cheddar cheese.
- Salted butter: Unsalted butter works just as well–just add an extra pinch of salt.
- Seasoning salt: Swap it out with regular salt and a pinch of paprika for a similar flavor.
- Garlic powder: Onion powder or a mix of both can be used instead.
- All-purpose flour: Gluten-free flour, almond flour, or coconut flour will work just as well.
- Ice water: Cold milk can also be used to add a bit of richness and a more tender, melt-in-your-mouth crunch.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Homemade Cheez-Its
- Create Crumbles: In a food processor or blender, pulse the cheese, butter, seasoning salt, and garlic powder until crumbly. Add the flour and pulse until the dough resembles coarse sand.
- Make The Dough Mixture: Drizzle in the ice water and continue pulsing until the dough mixture forms a ball.
- Chill: Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour.
- Roll Out The Dough: Cut dough in half and use a rolling pin to roll each out on a lightly floured surface to ⅛-¼ inch thick.
- Cut The Squares: With a sharp knife, pizza cutter, or a fluted pastry wheel, cut the dough into 1-inch squares.
- Poke A Hole: Use the tip of a skewer or a toothpick to poke a hole in the center of each square.
- Bake: Bake in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit on a parchment paper lined baking sheet for 12-16 minutes, or until the crackers are crisp and lightly golden around the edges.
- Serve Or Store: Cool completely before serving or storing. Enjoy straight from a bowl or sprinkle some over cream of tomato soup!
Why is there a hole in Cheez-Its
The hole in the center of a Cheez-It isn’t just for looks—it actually helps the cracker bake evenly. That tiny punch lets steam escape as it bakes, which keeps the cracker flat and gives it that signature crisp texture. Without it, you’d probably end up with puffy little cheese pillows instead of perfectly crunchy squares. It’s a small detail, but it makes a big difference!
Tips for Perfect Homemade Cheez-Itst
- Firm It In The Fridge: Chilling the dough for at least an hour makes it firmer so it’s easier to handle and roll out.
- Create A Cheesy Crunch: To get the iconic “cheesy crunch,” make sure to roll the dough as thin as possible without it tearing.
- Bake Until Brown: To prevent sogginess, be sure to bake the crackers long enough to dry out and become golden brown and crispy. Let them cool on wire racks to ensure they stay crisp.
- Go Glossy: You don’t need an egg wash for this recipe, but brushing the crackers with one before baking will give them a golden, glossy finish.
Homemade Cheez-Its Keto-Friendly Version
Making homemade Cheez-Its keto-friendly allows you to control the ingredients! They’re free from preservatives and added sugars, offering healthy fats and fewer carbs—perfect for a low-carb diet.
- Carb-Friendly Flours: For a low-carb base, use almond or coconut flour. Almond flour has a nutty flavor and keeps the crackers soft, while coconut flour is a lower-carb option but may require more moisture.
- Swap Seasonings: To enhance the flavor profile without adding sugars, use keto-friendly seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or smoked paprika.
Can You Add Other Flavors to Homemade Cheez-Its?
- Serve It Savory: Add herbs like rosemary, thyme, or basil for a savory twist.
- Serve It Spicy: Sprinkle on some spices like ranch seasoning, taco seasoning, or smoked paprika for a unique flavor profile. Or add a pinch of chili powder or jalapeño flakes for a spicy kick.
- Prepare With Parmesan: Mix in grated Parmesan for a rich, cheesy depth that pairs perfectly with the cheddar for extra flavor.
More Fun Snack Ideas
- Candy Grapes
- Caramel Apple Bites
- Strawberry Peanut Butter Bark
- Baby Yogurt Melts
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bites
If you tried this Homemade Cheez-Its Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!!!
Homemade Cheeze-Its
Serves — 100
Homemade Cheeze-Its are a bold, crispy, salty snack that taste better than the box brand. Easy to make with gluten free or keto friendly flours too!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Chill 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 27 minutes
Ingredients
- 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) salted butter softened
- ½ teaspoon seasoning salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
- 2-3 tablespoons ice water
Instructions
- In a food processor or blender, pulse the shredded cheddar cheese, softened butter, seasoning salt, and garlic powder until the mixture is crumbly.8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 4 tablespoons (½ stick) salted butter, ½ teaspoon seasoning salt, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Add the flour and pulse until the dough resembles coarse sand.1 cup all-purpose flour
- Drizzle in the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and continue pulsing until the dough begins to form a ball. Add 1 more Tablespoon of water if needed.2-3 tablespoons ice water
- Transfer the dough to a sheet of plastic wrap, shape it into a disc, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for at least one hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut dough in half and roll out each half of the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about ⅛-¼ inch thick.
- Use a sharp knife or a pastry cutter to cut the dough into small squares, approximately 1 inch in size.
- Use the tip of a skewer or a toothpick to poke a hole in the center of each square.
- Arrange the squares on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a small space between each piece.
- Bake for 12-16 minutes, or until the crackers are crisp and lightly golden around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the baking sheet before serving or storing in an airtight container.
Jenn’s Notes
Storage :
- To Store: To keep your homemade Cheez-Its fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- To Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the crackers in a sealed bag or container for up to three months—just let them come to room temperature before enjoying.
- Chilling the dough for at least an hour makes it firmer so it’s easier to handle and roll out.
- To get the iconic “cheesy crunch,” make sure to roll the dough as thin as possible without it tearing.
- To prevent sogginess, be sure to bake the crackers long enough to dry out and become golden brown and crispy. Let them cool on wire racks to ensure they stay crisp.
- You don’t need an egg wash for this recipe, but brushing the crackers with one before baking will give them a golden, glossy finish.
Nutrition Info
Calories: 18kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.05g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 30mg | Potassium: 3mg | Fiber: 0.04g | Sugar: 0.01g | Vitamin A: 37IU | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.1mg
