Homemade Cheez Its

Introduction

Craving that classic Cheez-It crunch but want a fresher, cheesier experience? These Homemade Cheez Its deliver all the crispy, sharp cheddar flavor you love—made with real cheese, pantry staples, and zero preservatives. Incredibly easy and endlessly snackable, this recipe is a crowd pleaser perfect for parties, lunchboxes, or a cozy movie night at home. Satisfy your snack urges with a batch that’s every bit as delicious as the store-bought favorites—but even better, because they’re homemade.

Deliciously Unique Homemade Cheez Its

What sets this recipe apart is the abundance of real sharp cheddar cheese. By shredding your own cheese, you get rich flavor, a beautiful golden hue, and that signature tang with every bite. The result? A cheese cracker that’s mouthwateringly authentic, with a delicate snap and melt-in-your-mouth finish you simply can’t achieve with boxed snacks.

Tips for the Best Cheez It Dough

Make sure your cheddar is well-grated—the finer the shred, the smoother your dough. Chilling the dough before rolling helps keep each cracker crisp. Don’t skip the tiny holes in each cracker: they’re not just classic, they allow steam to escape for perfect texture. For a bolder bite, try a sprinkle of extra cheddar or smoked paprika on top before baking.

The Best Way to Cut and Bake

Roll your dough thin for classic thin-and-crispy Cheez Its. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to craft perfect little squares, aiming for uniform size to ensure even baking. If you want the signature look, poke a small hole in the center of each cracker with a straw or toothpick. Bake until golden with just a hint of browning—then let them cool completely to maximize crunch.

Serving Suggestions for Homemade Cheez Its

Pile your Cheez Its high alongside your favorite dips—like creamy ranch, tangy salsa, or spicy mustard. Add them to a cheese board, sprinkle them over soups for instant texture, or pack them into snack bags for the whole week. However you enjoy them, you’ll love their intensely cheesy flavor and satisfying, flaky crunch.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 8 servings (approximately 50 crackers, depending on size). Each serving typically contains around 120–140 calories, with about 7g fat and 4g protein. Thanks to all-natural ingredients and real cheese, you can snack with confidence.

Homemade Cheez Its Recap

With golden crispness, real cheddar flavor, and a playful DIY twist, these homemade Cheez Its are destined to disappear fast. Their addictive crunch and authentic, sharp cheese flavor make them the ultimate homemade snack for any cheese lover.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and smart meal planning.

Instructions

1. Make the Dough: In a food processor, pulse cheddar, flour, cold butter, and salt until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add paprika if using.
2. Add Water: Pulse in cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough JUST comes together and forms a ball (don’t over-mix).
3. Chill: Shape dough into a flat disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes (up to 24 hours).
4. Roll and Cut: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to trim edges, then slice into 1-inch squares. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and poke a small hole in the center of each with a toothpick or skewer.
5. Bake: Sprinkle lightly with more sea salt. Bake 15–17 minutes, until golden and crispy. Watch the last few minutes to prevent over-browning.
6. Cool: Let crackers cool fully—this ensures maximum crunch—and store in an airtight container up to 1 week.

Weekly Meal Planning

Homemade Cheez Its are an excellent addition to your weekly meal planning—ideal for snacks, lunchbox treats, or topping salads and soups. Save and schedule this recipe to your personalized meal plan and enjoy organized, consolidated shopping lists with all the ingredients you need for the week.

Planning Benefits:

• Seamlessly combines ingredients for all saved recipes—including overlapping items like cheese or flour
• Breaks down each ingredient by store section for easy shopping
• Simplifies prep by showing what can be made ahead of time (these crackers keep well all week!)
• Helps avoid forgotten items and excess purchases

Pro tip: When scheduling your weekly recipes, use CookifyAI to spot ingredient overlaps—if you’re also making cheese sauces or cheesy casseroles, the app will sum up the total cheddar needed, ensuring you buy the perfect amount and reduce food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15–17 minutes
Total Time: approx. 1 hour