Name: Homemade Cheese Crackers
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 and 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed; 3/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1-2 tablespoons cold water

These crispy, cheesy, and buttery homemade crackers are incredibly easy to make with just a few ingredients. They’re perfect for snacking, adding to cheeseboards, or serving at parties when you want to impress your guests with something homemade.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There’s something magical about homemade crackers that store-bought varieties simply can’t match. These cheese crackers offer the perfect balance of sharp cheddar flavor and buttery crispness. They’re customizable, preservative-free, and surprisingly simple to make. The dough comes together in minutes, and the joy of cutting out your own crackers makes for a fun kitchen project. Plus, your house will smell amazing while they bake!

Homemade Cheese Crackers

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Sharp cheddar cheese provides the dominant flavor in these crackers. For the best results, grate your own cheese rather than using pre-shredded varieties, which contain anti-caking agents that can affect texture. The sharper the cheddar, the more pronounced cheese flavor your crackers will have.

Unsalted butter creates the rich, flaky texture we all love in a good cracker. Make sure it’s cold when you add it to the food processor, as this helps create those lovely layers in the finished product.

All-purpose flour forms the structural base of the crackers, giving them strength while still allowing for a tender bite. You can experiment with substituting up to 1/3 of the flour with whole wheat for a nuttier flavor.

Salt enhances all the flavors in the recipe. If you’re using salted butter, you might want to reduce this slightly.

Paprika adds a subtle warmth and color to the crackers. Regular paprika works perfectly, but smoked paprika can add an interesting dimension if you’re feeling adventurous.

Cold water helps bind the dough together without activating too much gluten, which keeps the crackers tender rather than tough.

Directions

In a food processor, pulse the shredded cheese, butter, flour, salt, and paprika together until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add 1 tablespoon of cold water and pulse again until the dough begins to form. Add another tablespoon of water if necessary.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and form into a ball. Flatten into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Using a knife or a small cookie cutter, cut the dough into small squares or desired shapes.
Transfer the crackers to the prepared baking sheets.
Use a skewer or toothpick to poke a small hole in the center of each cracker for a classic look.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crackers are golden and crisp.
Let cool completely on the baking sheets before serving or storing.

Servings and Timing

This recipe yields approximately 6 servings (about 40-50 small crackers, depending on size). The preparation takes about 40 minutes (including 30 minutes of chilling time), and the cooking time is 15 minutes, for a total time of 55 minutes. Each serving contains approximately 120 calories.

Variations

Spicy Cheese Crackers: Add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the dough for a kick of heat.

Herb & Cheese Crackers: Mix in 1 tablespoon of dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or oregano.

Everything Bagel Crackers: Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning on top of the crackers before baking.

Parmesan Rosemary: Substitute half the cheddar with Parmesan cheese and add 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary.

Gluten-Free Option: Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend (you may need to adjust the water slightly).

Storage/Reheating

These homemade cheese crackers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For maximum crispness, make sure they’re completely cooled before storing.

If the crackers lose their crispness after a few days, you can refresh them by placing them on a baking sheet and warming them in a 325°F (165°C) oven for about 5 minutes.

For longer storage, you can freeze the cooled crackers in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and reheat in a low oven if desired to restore crispness.

You can also freeze the prepared dough (before rolling and cutting) for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.

FAQs

Can I use pre-shredded cheese for these crackers?

While pre-shredded cheese will work in a pinch, it’s not ideal. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can affect the texture of your crackers. For best results, buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself just before making the recipe.

Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling the dough serves two important purposes: it allows the gluten to relax, which prevents tough crackers, and it firms up the butter, which helps create flaky layers when baked. Don’t skip this step for the best texture.

Can I make these crackers without a food processor?

Yes, though it requires more effort. You can use a pastry cutter or two knives to cut the butter into the flour mixture, then mix in the cheese and water by hand. The texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious.

How thin should I roll the dough?

Aim for about 1/8-inch thickness for the perfect balance of crispness and structure. If they’re too thick, they’ll be more like savory cookies; too thin, and they might burn before cooking through.

What’s the best way to cut these crackers?

A pizza cutter works wonderfully for straight lines, or you can use small cookie cutters for fun shapes. For a traditional look, a fluted pastry wheel creates pretty edges.

My crackers aren’t crispy. What went wrong?

Crackers that aren’t crispy usually haven’t been baked long enough or were rolled too thick. Make sure to bake until they’re golden brown at the edges. If they’ve already cooled and are still soft, you can return them to a 325°F oven for a few minutes.

Can I make these crackers ahead of time for a party?

Absolutely! These crackers actually taste even better the day after baking as the flavors have time to develop. Just store them in an airtight container until needed.

What can I serve with these cheese crackers?

These crackers are versatile! They pair beautifully with dips like hummus or spinach artichoke dip, go well on cheeseboards, or simply make a great snack on their own.

Can I make the dough in advance?

Yes, the dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and kept wrapped in the refrigerator. You might need to let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before rolling if it’s too firm.

Are these crackers good for kids to help make?

These crackers are perfect for little helpers! Kids especially enjoy cutting out shapes and poking the holes in the crackers. Just supervise the oven part, of course.

Conclusion

Homemade cheese crackers are a delightful treat that brings the satisfaction of creating something from scratch that many people only buy pre-packaged. The combination of sharp cheddar, butter, and just the right seasonings results in crackers that are far superior to their commercial counterparts.

What makes this recipe truly special is its versatility—you can adapt it to your taste preferences with different cheeses and herbs. Whether you’re packing them in lunchboxes, or simply enjoying them as an afternoon snack with tea, these crackers are sure to impress.

Once you’ve mastered this basic recipe, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought cheese crackers again. The homemade version not only tastes better but gives you complete control over the ingredients—no preservatives or artificial flavors needed. So gather your ingredients, set aside an hour, and treat yourself to the simple pleasure of homemade cheese crackers that crisp, cheesy perfection.