Crispy Cheese and Herb Snack (Printable)
Ultra-crispy baked cheese and herb bites with cheddar, Parmesan, and chives — golden, crunchy, and impossible to stop eating.
# What You'll Need:
→ Base
01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
→ Cheese & Flavor
04 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
05 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and diced
07 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
08 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
→ To Finish
10 - 1 to 2 tablespoons cold water
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and sea salt until evenly distributed.
03 - Add the shredded cheddar, grated Parmesan, cold diced butter, chopped chives, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Work the mixture with your fingertips until it becomes crumbly and the butter is evenly distributed.
04 - Add cold water one tablespoon at a time, gently mixing just until the dough comes together and holds its shape. Avoid overworking.
05 - Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll to approximately 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 2-inch squares or desired shapes using a knife or cookie cutter.
06 - Transfer the cut pieces to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart.
07 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the snacks are crisp throughout.
08 - Let cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The cheese gets shatteringly crisp in the oven, almost like a savory shortbread that dares you to stop eating
- They come together in under thirty minutes with ingredients already sitting in your fridge
02 -
- Warm butter will make the dough greasy and the results soft instead of crisp, so keep it cold right until the moment you use it
- Rolling the dough too thick is the most common mistake and it will not get crunchy in the center no matter how long you bake it
03 -
- Freeze the cut squares on the baking sheet for ten minutes before baking if your kitchen runs hot and the butter starts softening too fast
- The smoked paprika is worth using even if you think you do not like smoke flavor because it is subtle enough to just add depth