Homemade Cheez-Its
You may or may not know what a Cheez-It is but I give you fair warning that these are so tasty and easy to make that you will be peeking in your refrigerator to see if you have an 8oz block of cheese just asking to be baked into crispy cheddar perfection. That’s what these crackers are- crispy cheddar perfection.
I’m always baking up sweets for holidays and family celebrations so you can imagine my dad’s surprise when I handed him a package of crackers for Father’s Day. He was not only surprised but he was delighted!
You see these crackers are referred to as “Grandpa Crackers” in our home. Four Year Old Foodie gave them this name as a toddler since he rarely sees Grandpa without a box somewhere nearby. The best part is that my son got to use a cool pastry wheel and toothpicks – how awesome is it when your mom lets you touch 2 sharp things in 1 day? He was feeling very proud of himself.
Homemade Cheez-Its Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 3 Tablespoons of unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable shortening*
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup flour
- 2 Tablespoons ice water
- Coarse salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Combine cheese, butter, shortening, and salt in the bowl of your mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. The mixture will be crumbly.
- Slowly add flour and then the ice water. You may add a few more drops of water to help it come together but be careful not to add too much. You don’t want a wet dough.
- Pat the dough into 2 discs and wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes (or longer).
- Preheat oven to 375⁰F.
- Using parchment paper or a silicone mat roll each disc to 1/8 inch or less and cut into 1 inch squares (a pastry wheel or pizza wheel is easiest). Use a toothpick to punch a hole into the center of each square.
- If you have difficulty separating and transferring the crackers onto the baking sheet return the parchment paper/mat to the refrigerator for 10 minutes (while you roll out the 2nd dough disc).
- Bake for 10 – 15 minutes or until puffed and browning around the edges. If you pull them out too soon and the crackers don’t have the desired crispiness you want then simply return them to the oven for 2-3 more minutes.
- Move crackers to a cooling rack. Makes about 7 dozen crackers.
I’ve seen other people who have said these pair well with a good chardonnay. Um…my family eats them with tuna salad.
189 Comments on “Homemade Cheez-Its”
Just made these and they are awesome and super easy to make! I'll be doubling it next time because we LOVE us our cheez-its! It has been a bit of a guilty pleasure for my husband and me since we try really hard to stay away from processed food. Now I am happy to be able to know exactly what is in it! Thanks!
I sorry to say this but your posts have open my mind to the world of recipes out there. Keep up the good work 🙂
Hi Amanda! I saw that someone on Pinterest made them with whole wheat flour with success https://pinterest.com/pin/50961274/
Has anyone tried this with whole wheat flour? Would love to test it out, but if anyone has already done it, I'd love to hear how it came out!
My hubby loves cheez its! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Ok, who even does this? You get a great big gold star from me. My kids might want you to adopt them. Someday I'm going to be as ambitious as you. Just found your blog through Foodbuzz & love it!
Following you on Twitter!
Oh..my, my..am in love with these awesome baked goodies!!
These are fantastic! I love it: chardonnay or tuna salad or on their own is just fine.
So thats how they get all the cheese in there! (sorry I couldnt resist). My daddy loves cheez-its! Ill have to try these for him someday. 😀
Yum! Cheez-its are the best! I never thought of making them at home. Thanks for the recipe!
Wow!!! What a exceptional post! I love cheez-Its they are my favorite, but yours look waayy better! What a fabulous time making these…I would love to give them a try sometime!!!
xx,
Tammy
Oh Katrina, these are absolutely lovely and spectacular! Your son must have had so much fun helping you make these 🙂 And your dad receiving them! These are definitely saved to make this summer 🙂 Hope you're having a great weekend!
Hi Katrina, Happy 4th of July. Those cheez-its. Wow they look so tasty – I would never have thought to make those myself (that's one of the few things that come out of the box around here) – great job!
These look amazing!!!
These are seriously the most delicious looking homemade cheez-its I have seen! Thanks for sharing! Delicious!!!
Oh my goodness! These look amazing! I am a big fan of cheese and savoury treats, so these are going in my must try recipe list!
these actually look amazing… and i'm a vegan, so i'm not supposed to say things like that. haha.
https://laurenlanzaosias.blogspot.com
it's giveaway time with shabby apple…
Thanks. Yes it is true that these are called grandpa crackers in our home 😉
Thanks Sylvie! I can't believe how easy it was. We will be making more cracker varieties for sure.
Thanks so much Kate! Those banana biter biscuits were so delicious looking!
Wow – thanks so much! What a compliment!!
Oh you will just love them – it was so easy! I will be making more crackers soon!
I have not but I don't see why it wouldn't work. I bet it would be tasty! Let me know if you do 🙂
Oh yes a Coke is my other guilty pleasure munchie. Mmm
aw thanks!
I love this comment – it made my day! 🙂 Mary I hope you do make these – drop me a line or post a pic on my facebook page if you get a chance!!
You are cracking me up!
lol and here I thought I was the only one! So many of you are cheez-it fans!!
Thanks so much! It was my first itme making crackers – it will not be the last!
Thanks Lin Ann
Oh just must make them! They are so easy and pack a lot of bang for not a lot of buck!
And here I thought I was the only one? lol
Oh let me know if you try them! They are so easy as tasty!!
I warned you! 🙂
lol Yes they were highly addictive!
I have been wanting to try my hand at wheat thins too!
Nice to meet you too! Oh don't you just love Bridget's site?! I want to be like her when I grow up! lol
I found my way over from a comment at Bake @ 350 and SO glad I did! These look like a great tail-gate staple! I look forward to looking over your past posts and one in the future. Nice to "meet" you!
Too cool! Cheez Its are a definite favorite snack in my house. I love the thought of making them without all those crazy extra preservatives! And the story behind these is too cute 🙂
🙂 Thanks so much!! ♥
Ooh! It would be fun to switch up the cheese flavors! Mmm!
Yay! Let me know what you think!
Awesome! Let me know how they turn out!
Great! Drop me a line or post a pic to my facebook page! I'd love to hear!!
Aw thank you so much! They are addictive little guys!
Why thank you!
Thanks Wendy! I got it at Goodwill for $1.50!!!! Yay!
THANK YOU!! I will be making these again for sure!
Oh let me know if you do! Post a pic to my facebook page or drop me a line!! 🙂
I had to get them out of the house asap!!