Ok, no more pasta recipes for now.
In fact, I’m switching to an entirely different food category. No more dinner…on to snacks! Everyone likes snacks.
I made these little beauties as a appetizer before our New Year’s Dinner.
These taste exactly like Cheez-its. I know they don’t look the same but I promise they taste identical.
I adapted this recipe from Food52– The original recipe called for smoked paprika but I didn’t have any and didn’t feel like buying any so I used regular old paprika. I’m sure the smoked one would have added a different taste but then they would have tasted like smoked Cheez-its and that’s not quite the same.
I added quite a bit of cayenne as well. I loved how spicy they were but Nate wasn’t such a fan of his mouth tingling, so go easy on it if you have a sensitive fiance.
My only issue with these adorable little things is that they’re so tiny that rolling the dough into like 40 little balls is kinda of time consuming…and annoying. But if you have them time, then it’s totally worth it.
I hope you’re having company over soon because you need to make these! Or maybe you just want a snack. Either is fine.
Cheese Crackers
Barely Adapted from Food52
Makes about 40
1 cup all purpose flour, sifted
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more to taste)
1/2 teaspoon paprika (or more to taste)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (or more to taste)
1 cup Panko bread crumbs (I used whole wheat panko)-*note these are not regular breadcrumbs
Preheat oven to 350 and line cookie sheets with parchment.
Put flour, butter, cheese, cayenne, paprika and salt into food processor and pulse till completely blended and a ball forms. Taste for seasoning and adjust.
Add panko and process in small pulses (as few as possible) to incorporate panko into dough.
Scoop small balls of dough (about 1/2 teaspoon) and roll in the palm of your hand. Place on cookie sheet and flatten with fork or spatula. (You can also roll the dough out about 1/2 inch thick and use small cookie cutters.) Sprinkle the tops with smoked paprika and more salt if desired.
Bake at 350 for 15 minutes until the bottom is lightly browned and the crispettes are cooked through.
Remove from cookie sheet and cool on wire rack.
Um, hi. Could you please post another pasta recipe? I miss those. Kidding, cheese is always a perfectly fine substitute. These look great.
Haha 🙂 I’m sure there will be more pasta soon!
These look delicious! I was just looking for a recipe for cheese crackers a few days ago!
Perfect! I hope you’ll make them…they’re so good! I had to restrain myself from eating too many so I still had room for dinner…
Gorgeous. You got me. Cheez-Its, original flavor, are one of my favorite things.
Hehe, then you should def try these out! Thanks 🙂
I really like these as a homemade alternative to buying chips! Much nicer than something out of a box/bag.
Thanks! They may b nicer, prettier, and tastier…but unfortunately they’re not very healthy.
If I make them myself then I say by default they’re healthier because I saw what goes in them! It’s girl logic – like how sharing cake means it has no calories!! 🙂
[…] little beauties as a appetizer before our New Year's Dinner. … See the article here: A Little Snacky Snack- Cheesy Crackers! « ← Simple Chicken Sliders Give Holiday Cooks a Break — Maine Living […]
I like the look of these. I am also not keen on rolling out balls so I usually shape the dough into a roll, cover in cling wrap and put in the fridge. When it is cold enough I take it out and slice off the rounds 🙂
Hi Tandy! Oh my gosh, that’s the smartest idea ever!!! I will try that next time. I wonder if you’d have to cook them longer since they’d be cold going into the oven…or I guess I could let them warm up after being sliced.
I’m totally into homemade crackers right now. The perfect snack and homemade = less weird stuff in there! These might have to go on my Crackers To-Do list!
Def try them! Lemme know how they turn out. 🙂
i grew up eating boxes of cheeze-its! my favorite was the white cheddar ones! i agree with u, i think the normal paprika suffices. i use the smoked paprika for some Spanish dishes and it is very heavy in flavor. great job with this 🙂
Thanks, Junia 🙂
Tasty little snacks indeed. 🙂
🙂
i think i could handle these! i tried to make crackers before but couldnt get the dough to roll thin enough- these seem more up to my speed 🙂
No rolling needed! Lemme know if u give them a try 🙂
These are the cutest crackers Amy! I love that you took a picture with the hand for perspective. The sizing is perfect and the warm spices… paprika, cayenne…yum!
Hehe, thanks Kelly 🙂 You know, I didn’t even realize that it was hard to tell the size of the crackers…I totally didn’t put my hand there for perspective on purpose but now that you mention it, I’m glad I did!
No more pasta!?! BOOOO. haha only kidding, of course. I should make these for my mom…she’s a Cheez-its fanatic! Seriously though…
Hehe, I’m sure pasta will be back in no time 😉
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