Description
This classic Southern Cheese Straws recipe features crispy, buttery, and savory cheese snacks made from sharp cheddar, perfect for appetizers or party bites. Easy to prepare and bake, they deliver a delightful crunch with a hint of cayenne pepper for optional heat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 2–3 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a food processor, combine the shredded cheddar cheese, all-purpose flour, cold cubed unsalted butter, salt, and cayenne pepper if using. Pulse the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add Water: Add cold water one tablespoon at a time, pulsing after each addition just until the dough begins to come together and form a ball. Avoid overprocessing to keep the texture flaky.
- Roll Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out evenly to about 1/8-inch thickness.
- Cut Strips: Slice the rolled dough into thin strips approximately ½ inch wide and 4–5 inches long.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Carefully place the strips onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart to allow even baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes or until the cheese straws turn golden and crisp.
- Cool: Let the baked cheese straws cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely for best crunch.
Notes
- For extra flavor, sprinkle the cheese straws with grated Parmesan cheese or sesame seeds before baking.
- Use a piping bag fitted with a star tip to pipe the dough for attractive ridged cheese straws.
- Store leftover cheese straws in an airtight container to maintain crispness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cheese straws
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
