Homemade Healthy Cheez-Its – Easy & Delicious Snack Recipe

Introduction

Skip the preservatives and excessive sodium – these Homemade Healthy Cheez-Its pack all the crave-worthy crunch and tangy cheddar flavor of your favorite boxed snack, but with cleaner, wholesome ingredients you can feel great about. Ready in about 30 minutes, this easy recipe is perfect for lunchboxes, after-school snacks, or a savory party platter that rivals anything from the store.

Not only do you control what goes in, but baking your own Cheez-Its means you can customize them to your taste (think: a dash of cayenne, smoked paprika, or even a sprinkle of seeds for a boost of nutrition). Everyone will love the famously flaky and cheesy squares that deliver big flavor with simple prep.

Why These Homemade Healthy Cheez-Its Stand Out

This recipe uses real sharp cheddar, whole wheat flour for fiber, and olive oil for heart-healthy fats, making it a smarter snacking choice. The dough comes together with minimal effort, and baking at a high temperature gives you those signature crispy edges and tender bite. Try them alongside fresh fruit or a crunchy veggie tray for a balanced, satisfying snack.

Easy Steps to Cheesy, Crispy Perfection

Making Cheez-Its at home is surprisingly straightforward. Start by shredding your cheese as finely as possible, ensuring an even melt and optimal cheesy flavor in every cracker. A food processor really speeds up the process here, but you can also use a box grater.

Next, combine your dry ingredients, pulse in the cheese, then drizzle in olive oil and a touch of water to form a dough. Chill briefly for neater slicing. To get those classic cracker shapes, use a Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper or a sharp knife on a wooden board before transferring to your baking sheet.

How to Bake Perfect Healthy Cheez-Its

To guarantee evenly baked crispy crackers, bake on a sheet lined with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. If you want to cut down on oil and get an even crispier finish, pop a batch in the COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1 – an excellent way to make your snacks guilt-free.

Flip the crackers halfway through baking for a super crunchy result, and watch them closely towards the end: they go from golden to overdone in moments. Let cool for maximum crunch and store in an airtight container to maintain their texture.

Smart Snack Storage and Serving Suggestions

Homemade Cheez-Its are best enjoyed within a few days for peak freshness. Portion extras into a Bentgo Salad Container to toss into lunchboxes, or store in a resealable glass jar on your snack shelf. Partner them with fresh apple slices, crunchy baby carrots, or yogurt for a well-rounded, energizing bite.

Perfect for school, work, or road trips, these crackers will be your go-to whenever salty cravings hit.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This batch yields about 70–80 crackers, depending on how small you cut them. Each 1-ounce (about 20 crackers) serving contains approximately 110 calories, 5g protein, 6g fat, and 2g fiber. Compare that to store-bought – these are lower in processed ingredients and sodium, with a boost of real cheese flavor.

Homemade Healthy Cheez-Its – Recap

With real ingredients, better nutrition, and bold cheddar taste, these homemade crackers are a must for snack lovers who want to eat smarter. Skip the box and whip up a batch that’s as comforting as it is wholesome!

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with a sheet from the Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll.
2. In a food processor or using your hands, pulse or rub together cheese, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. For effortless, consistent shreds, use a Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper if shredding cheese by hand.
3. Add the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of cold water; pulse or mix until the dough just comes together. If dry, add one more tablespoon water until a soft but not sticky dough forms.
4. Pat dough into a ball and chill for 10 minutes if it feels too warm.
5. On a lightly floured surface or cutting board (a set like Bamboo Cutting Boards for Kitchen keeps things neat!), roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 1-inch squares with a sharp knife, pizza cutter, or your Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper.
6. Transfer squares to the prepared sheet. Use a skewer or fork to poke a small hole in the center of each square for that classic Cheez-It look.
7. Spritz lightly with an YARRAMATE 16oz/470ml Oil Sprayer for Cooking if desired and sprinkle with flaky salt.
8. Bake for 12–15 minutes (or 8–10 minutes in the COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, Compact & Large 6-Qt), rotating the tray halfway. Crackers should be golden on the edges and crisp when cooled.
9. Cool completely before storing. For easiest packing into lunchboxes, use a Bentgo Salad Container – 54 oz Bowl.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12–15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Enjoy every crunchy, cheesy bite of your homemade healthy Cheez-Its!