Homemade Cheese Crackers: The Ultimate Easy Cheez-It Copycat Recipe (Ready in Under 30 Minutes!)

Get ready to craft your own batch of irresistible homemade copycat Cheez-its right in your kitchen! This recipe promises a snack that’s not only ready in under 30 minutes but also tastes even better than the store-bought originals. Using just 4 simple ingredients, you can whip up these incredibly delicious Homemade Cheese Crackers without needing a food processor – your trusty stand mixer or hand mixer will do the trick. It’s also a fantastic weekend activity to enjoy with the kids, letting them help cut out fun shapes and create their very own cheesy masterpieces!

For quite some time now, I’ve harbored a desire to create a series dedicated to homemade versions of our most beloved store-bought treats. It’s incredibly satisfying to replicate those nostalgic flavors and textures in your own kitchen, often with simpler, healthier ingredients. I’ve already shared recipes for homemade animal cookie wafers and homemade soft pretzels, and I’m thrilled to add many more copycat favorites to this growing collection throughout the year.

To kick off this exciting series, I decided to start with one of my absolute favorite childhood snacks: homemade Cheez-Its! I always imagined that making these iconic cheese crackers at home would be a complicated or time-consuming endeavor. To my pleasant surprise, it turns out that making homemade Cheez-Its is incredibly easy, remarkably fun, and yields a product far superior to anything you’d buy at the grocery store. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can create a fresh batch of these savory delights.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Homemade Cheez-It Recipe

Beyond the simple joy of baking, there are so many reasons to fall in love with making your own cheese crackers:

• Just 4 Simple Ingredients: No mysterious additives or hidden ingredients here! You’ll recognize every item on this short list.
• Versatile Mixing Options: Whether you have a stand mixer, a food processor, or even just a hand mixer, you can easily prepare this dough.
• Perfectly Crunchy with a Flaky Inside: These crackers deliver that satisfying crisp snap you crave, with a delicate, flaky texture that melts in your mouth.
• Bursting with Authentic Cheddar Flavor: Seriously, these taste exactly like the classic Cheez-Its, but with a fresher, more robust cheese flavor.
• Fun for All Ages: Cutting the dough into tiny squares or whimsical shapes is a delightful activity, especially for kids, making snack time an interactive experience.
• Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe to create different flavors or even healthier versions.
• Economical: Making your own snacks can often be more budget-friendly than constantly buying store-bought packages.

Essential Ingredients for Your Homemade Cheese Crackers

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. With just four core ingredients, you can create a truly spectacular snack. Make sure your cheese and butter are cold – this is key for the best texture!

• 1 (8oz.) block sharp cheddar cheese: Opt for high-quality, sharp cheddar. The bolder the cheese, the more flavor your crackers will have. Keep it cold, straight from the fridge!
• 4 tablespoons real butter: Unsalted butter is best as you’ll control the salt content. Like the cheese, ensure it’s cold for optimal results.
• ½ teaspoon salt: Fine sea salt or table salt works perfectly. This enhances the cheesy flavor.
• 1 cup all-purpose flour: Standard all-purpose flour is ideal, but see my notes below for other flour options if you’re looking to experiment.
• 2-3 tablespoons ice water: Using ice water helps keep the butter and cheese cold, preventing the dough from becoming too sticky and ensuring a flaky final product.
• Optional: 1-2″ shaped cookie cutters: While a knife for squares is perfectly fine, small cookie cutters can add a fun touch, like this adorable tiny fish or stars.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Homemade Cheese Crackers

Follow these simple instructions to create your own batch of crunchy, cheesy crackers that everyone will adore. Remember, cold ingredients are your secret weapon for success!

Step 1: Prep Your Cheese & Butter, Then Cream the Cheese

Begin by taking your sharp cheddar cheese and real butter straight from the refrigerator. You want both to be very cold. Cut them into small, approximately ½-inch cubes. The coldness is crucial here, as it helps create a flaky texture in the finished crackers.

Next, add just the cubed cheese to the bowl of your stand mixer. Beat it on medium-high speed (around level 6 on a KitchenAid) for about 30 seconds. The cheese will start to break down and transform into a creamy, cohesive texture, almost like it’s been “creamed together.” Once it reaches this stage, use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl and the beater to ensure everything is well-incorporated for the next step.

Tip: Don’t have a stand mixer? No problem! Here’s how you can adapt this step:

• Food Processor: If using a food processor, add the cubed cheese, butter, and salt simultaneously. Pulse for about 30 seconds until the mixture is well incorporated and resembles coarse crumbs.
• Hand Mixer: While a hand mixer can be used, it requires a bit more effort. For best results, grate your cold cheese into very tiny chunks before adding it to your mixing bowl. This will help the hand mixer break it down more effectively.

Step 2: Incorporate Butter & Salt

With the mixer still on medium-high speed, add in the cold butter cubes and the salt. Continue mixing for another 30-45 seconds. The cheese and butter should now be thoroughly combined and have a smooth, creamy consistency. Again, pause to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure no chunks of unmixed ingredients remain.

Texture Tip: The mixture should be uniformly creamy, without any noticeable chunks of cheese. If you spot any, continue mixing for a little longer until smooth.

Step 3: Gradually Add Flour

Reduce your mixer speed to low. Slowly add the all-purpose flour into the cheese and butter mixture. Once all the flour has been added, increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 30 seconds until the flour is completely incorporated into the dough. Be careful not to overmix at this stage, as it can lead to tough crackers.

Texture Tip: At this point, the dough will appear quite dry and crumbly. Don’t worry, this is exactly what you want! The next step will bring it all together.

Step 4: Incorporate Ice Water

Return the mixer to low speed. Now, add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time. In most cases, this recipe only requires 2 tablespoons of water total to achieve the perfect consistency. However, factors like the humidity in your climate or specific brands of ingredients can affect the dough’s hydration. You might need to add up to 3 tablespoons, so add it gradually and observe the dough.

Texture Tip: The ideal dough consistency should be solid and soft, much like Play-Doh, but crucially, it should not be sticky. To test this, press your finger into the dough; it should not stick to your finger. If it’s too sticky, add a tiny bit more flour, a teaspoon at a time, until it reaches the desired texture.

Step 5: Roll Out the Dough

Once your dough is perfectly mixed and has the right consistency, it’s time to roll it out:

1. Lightly sprinkle flour on a piece of parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes transfer easier. Place your dough ball on top.
2. Briefly “knead” the dough with your hands for about 20-30 seconds, forming it into a solid, smooth ball. If it feels at all sticky, add a very small amount of flour to your hands and the dough. The aim is a firm, non-sticky ball.
3. Gently flatten the dough ball into a thick disc. This simple step, much like with my cut out sugar cookies, helps prevent the dough from cracking as you begin the rolling process.
4. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough evenly until it is approximately 1/16″ thick. This is quite thin, almost translucent. I find my adjustable rolling pin on its lowest (yellow) ring works perfectly for achieving this consistent thinness, which is essential for crispy crackers.

Step 6: Cut Your Crackers

Once the dough is rolled out to the desired thinness, it’s time to cut your crackers. You can use a sharp knife to cut the dough into classic 1-inch squares. For an extra touch of fun, consider using small 1-2 inch cookie cutters to create stars, hearts, or even cute animal shapes, just like I did with this adorable goldfish cookie cutter.

Tip for Clean Cuts: For the cleanest edges and to prevent the dough from crinkling, use a pizza cutter for quick, straight lines, OR use a large knife to press directly down onto the dough. Avoid sliding the knife, as this can drag the dough and distort your cracker shapes.

Step 7: Prepare for Baking & Bake to Perfection

After cutting your crackers, carefully transfer them to a baking tray lined with parchment paper. If you like, you can use a toothpick or skewer to poke a small hole in the center of each cracker, just like commercial Cheez-Its. This isn’t strictly necessary but adds to the authentic look and can help prevent excessive puffing.

Bake the crackers in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-17 minutes. Keep in mind that baking times can vary slightly based on the size and thickness of your crackers. If you’ve made them smaller or thinner than 1 inch, they might need slightly less time; larger or thicker crackers may need a few extra minutes.

Baking Tip: Ovens can vary significantly, so it’s wise to start checking your crackers around the 10-12 minute mark. You’re looking for a lovely golden-orange color with slightly browned edges, but still retaining that vibrant cheesy hue.

To ensure they are perfectly done, carefully remove one cracker from the tray, allow it to cool on the pan for 2-3 minutes (they crisp up as they cool), then taste it. If it’s not as crunchy as you desire, simply return the tray to the oven for another 1-3 minutes. Repeat this process until your crackers are wonderfully crisp. The key indicator for doneness is texture: if they’re soft, they need more time in the oven!

Expert Tips for Perfect Homemade Cheese Crackers Every Time

Achieving the perfect homemade cheese cracker is easy with these helpful hints and tricks:

1. Proper Spacing is Key: Ensure you leave a little space between each cracker on the baking sheet. As they bake, they will puff up slightly, and proper spacing prevents them from sticking together.
2. Monitor Baking Time Closely: As mentioned in Step 7, baking times are an estimate and will fluctuate based on your oven, as well as the size and thickness of your crackers. If they aren’t crunchy after cooling for 2-3 minutes outside the oven, put them back in for just 1 minute at a time. This is a crucial step! Do not wander off during these last few minutes. I once did this and accidentally left a pan in for an extra 8 minutes. While they ended up quite dark, they developed an extra toasty flavor, reminiscent of the “burnt” Cheez-It flavor that was once sold – so if you like a darker, more intense flavor, a little extra bake time can be good, but be cautious!
3. Always Use Real Butter: For the flakiest texture and richest flavor, real butter is non-negotiable. Margarine or butter substitutes simply won’t yield the same delightful results, so I highly recommend sticking to genuine butter.
4. Smart Storage for Freshness: Since these homemade crackers contain real butter and cheese, they won’t maintain their crispness for an extended period at room temperature (they typically stay crunchy for about 4-6 hours). To prolong their freshness and crunch, store them in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator or freezer. They reheat beautifully in a toaster oven for a few minutes if you want to revive their crispness.
5. Alternative Cutting Method (No Cutters? No Problem!): If you prefer not to cut individual shapes or squares, you can easily roll the dough into a log, much like you would with slice-and-bake cookie dough. Then, simply slice off cracker rounds before baking. This is a great time-saver!

Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Cheese Crackers:

How to store homemade Cheez-Its?

Due to the fresh butter and cheese in this recipe, your homemade Cheez-Its are best stored in an airtight container or plastic bag in the refrigerator. They will remain wonderfully crunchy for several hours after baking, but will start to soften if left at room temperature all day or overnight. For longer storage, you can also freeze them for up to 2-3 months.

Can I use whole wheat flour to make these homemade Cheez-Its a little healthier?

Absolutely! Substituting some or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour is a great way to add more fiber and a slightly healthier twist. The crackers will develop a subtly nuttier flavor and a slightly darker color, but they will still be incredibly tasty and crunchy. When I make whole wheat cheese crackers, I often like to enhance the flavor with an additional ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder and ⅛ teaspoon of onion powder. This complements the whole wheat notes beautifully.

Do I need to chill the dough before rolling?

Here’s the interesting part: while many homemade cheese cracker recipes suggest chilling the dough, I’ve thoroughly tested this recipe 3-4 times, and I’ve found that chilling is simply not necessary. Chilling typically helps make dough less sticky, but if you start with cold cheese and butter as specified in this recipe, and use a little extra flour on hand while rolling, you can bypass the chilling step entirely. This saves you valuable time and gets you to snack time faster!

In fact, during my testing, I observed that chilling the dough actually caused the cracker squares and shapes to shrink quite a bit more during baking, which I personally didn’t prefer. So, while chilling the dough certainly won’t hurt, it’s an optional step that I’ve found unnecessary for delicious results.

How do you make CRISPY homemade cheese crackers?

To achieve an extra-crispy texture, simply extend the baking time by an additional 5-7 minutes. Be sure to keep a close eye on them to prevent burning. As a happy accident during one of my baking sessions, I left a batch in a bit too long, resulting in crackers that were quite dark (though not burnt). These had an incredibly intense, extra-toasty flavor, much like the “burnt” Cheez-It flavor that used to be a fan favorite. So, feel free to experiment with longer bake times if you enjoy that deeply roasted, super-crispy cheese flavor!

Can I make these Homemade Cheez-Its gluten-free or keto?

While I haven’t personally experimented with gluten-free or keto versions of this specific recipe, the good news is that there are many excellent gluten-free flours available today that could likely be substituted. If you’re looking for a low-carb alternative, I’ve noticed that one of my clients features a fantastic recipe for low-carb keto Cheez-Its on her website, which might be a perfect resource for you!

Can I add seasonings to make other flavors?

Absolutely! This recipe is a fantastic base for creativity. You can easily customize your homemade cheese crackers by adding various spices, herbs, or even using different types of hard cheeses to create a range of unique flavors. Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:

• Homemade Hot and Spicy Cheez-Its: Amp up the flavor with 1 ounce of dry ranch dressing mix and 2-3 teaspoons of red pepper flakes for a zesty kick. Adjust the red pepper flakes to your preferred level of heat.
• Homemade White Cheddar Cheez-Its: For a different cheesy experience, simply substitute the sharp orange cheddar with a block of high-quality sharp white cheddar cheese, such as Vermont white cheddar.
• Garlic Parmesan Crackers: Add 1-2 teaspoons of garlic powder and ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the dough.
• Rosemary Sea Salt Crackers: Mix in 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary (finely crushed) and sprinkle with flaky sea salt before baking.

What are Cheez-Its made out of?

Store-bought Cheez-Its typically list a variety of ingredients, including enriched flours, vegetable oils, and milk derivatives, along with artificial colors and flavors. The wonderful advantage of this easy homemade cheese cracker recipe is its transparent and simple ingredient list. You’ll only need four wholesome, straightforward ingredients: sharp cheddar cheese, real butter, all-purpose flour, and salt. This means you know exactly what you’re eating, with no surprises!