Down-Home Southern Cheese Crisps Recipe: Snack Magic

When the hunger strikes, Southern cheese crisps burst with irresistible flavor that makes every bite pure bliss.

These delightful snacks deliver a crispy, cheesy experience that melts in your mouth.

Crafted with simple ingredients, they embody the essence of Southern comfort food.

Each thin, golden wafer carries a rich, savory profile that draws people together.

cheese lovers will adore the sharp, tangy notes dancing across their palate.

Southern hospitality shines through this effortless recipe that takes mere minutes to prepare.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 198 kcal

Servings: 13

What You’ll Use in Southern Cheese Crisps

• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Provides bold, tangy flavor and creates crispy texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Ensures smooth dough and adds rich, creamy undertone.

• Salt: Enhances overall taste and balances cheese sharpness.
• Cayenne Pepper: Delivers subtle heat and exciting flavor kick.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, spicy background note.
• Garlic Powder: Introduces savory depth and aromatic complexity.

• All-Purpose Flour: Binds ingredients and creates sturdy, crisp foundation.
• Ice Water: Helps manage dough consistency and prevents over-drying.

Equipment to Make Southern Cheese Crisps Effortlessly

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for beating cheese and butter to a light, fluffy consistency.
• Mixing Bowls: Perfect for combining ingredients and creating the dough.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup during baking.
• Baking Sheets: Provides a flat surface for baking cheese crisps evenly.
• Cooling Rack: Helps crisps cool quickly and maintain their crispy texture.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for slicing the chilled dough into thin, uniform rounds.
• Plastic Wrap or Parchment Paper: Useful for wrapping and chilling dough logs.

How to Bake Southern Cheese Crisps the Right Way

Southern Cheese Crisps

• Cheese and Butter Blend

Mix shredded cheese and butter using a mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for your crispy treats.

• Flavor Explosion

Sprinkle in salt, cayenne, black pepper, and garlic powder to infuse the mixture with bold, zesty notes that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Dough Formation

Fold flour into the seasoned mixture gradually, working it until a cohesive dough emerges. If the mixture feels dry, splash in a touch of ice water to help bind everything together.

• Log Creation and Chill

Roll the dough into two cylindrical logs, wrap them snugly in parchment, and let them rest in the refrigerator for a quick 30-minute relaxation period.

• Oven Preparation

Heat the oven to a toasty 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a perfect non-stick surface.

• Slice and Bake

Cut the chilled logs into delicate rounds and arrange them on the prepared sheets. Slide into the oven and bake until edges turn a gorgeous golden brown.

• Cooling and Enjoying

Transfer the crispy delights to a cooling rack, allowing them to reach peak crunchiness before devouring.

Tips for Crunchier Southern Cheese Crisps

• Cheese Selection Magic: Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, or parmesan to create unique flavor profiles that tantalize your taste buds.
• Spice Level Adventure: Adjust the cayenne pepper quantity to match your heat preference – from a mild whisper to a bold kick that dances on your palate.
• Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare dough logs up to three days in advance and store in the refrigerator, giving you a quick and easy snack solution whenever cravings strike.
• Serving Suggestions Delight: Pair these crispy treats with wine, charcuterie boards, or crumble over salads for an unexpected crunch that elevates any dining experience.
• Storage Wisdom: Keep cheese crisps in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, ensuring they maintain their delightful crispy texture and rich, cheesy flavor.

Southern Cheese Crisps Serving Pairings

• Cocktail Party Companion: Serve these Southern Cheese Crisps alongside chilled white wine or crisp rosé for an elegant appetizer that sparks conversation.
• Charcuterie Champion: Arrange these crisps on a wooden board with aged cheddar, prosciutto slices, and spicy olives for a stunning grazing experience that will impress guests.
• Soup and Salad Sidekick: Crumble these cheese crisps over creamy tomato soup or sprinkle atop a fresh mixed green salad to add a delightful crunch and sharp cheese flavor.
• Midnight Snack Upgrade: Enjoy these crispy treats straight from the cookie jar when you need a quick, savory bite during late-night work or movie marathons.

How to Keep Southern Cheese Crisps Crisp

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store Southern Cheese Crisps in an airtight container with a tight-sealing lid to maintain crispness and prevent moisture absorption. Glass containers work best for protecting delicate texture.
• Cool-Down Zone: Allow crisps to reach room temperature completely before storing, which prevents condensation and keeps them extra crunchy. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Freshness Window: Enjoy these savory treats within 5-7 days for optimal taste and crunch. Keep them in a cool, dry pantry away from direct sunlight or heat sources that might soften their delightful crispy structure.
• Freezing Technique: Freeze unbaked dough logs wrapped securely in plastic wrap for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw in refrigerator overnight and slice as original recipe directs. Frozen dough maintains excellent quality and allows spontaneous crisp creation.

Crispy Southern Cheese Crisps Recipe

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4.9 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Crispy southern cheese crisps feature a golden, cheesy snack with Southern charm. Melted cheddar creates a perfect cracker that keeps guests coming back for more.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (473 ml/16 oz) sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
• ½ cup (60 g/2 oz) pecans, finely chopped
• 1 ½ cups (180 g/6.3 oz) all-purpose flour
• 8 tbsps (113 g/4 oz) salted butter, softened
• 1 tsp (5 g/0.17 oz) kosher salt
• ½ tsp (1 g/0.035 oz) cayenne pepper
• ¼ tsp (0.5 g/0.017 oz) black pepper, freshly ground
• 1/8 tsp (0.25 g/0.008 oz) garlic powder

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Combine shredded cheese and softened butter in a mixer, whipping until the mixture becomes airy and uniformly blended.
2. Seasoning: Incorporate salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and garlic powder into the cheese mixture, creating a vibrant and complex flavor profile.
3. Dough Formation: Gently fold flour into the seasoned mixture, adjusting consistency with ice water if needed to achieve a cohesive dough texture.
4. Shaping and Chilling: Form the dough into two cylindrical logs, wrap in parchment or plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up and enhance slicing ease.
5. Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cooking and easy crisp removal.
6. Slicing and Arranging: Carefully slice the chilled logs into thin 1/8-inch rounds, positioning them closely on the prepared baking sheets.
7. Baking and Cooling: Bake until edges turn golden, approximately 15 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to crisp up and reach room temperature.

Notes

• Chill for Perfect Texture: Refrigerating the dough logs for at least 30 minutes helps solidify the butter and cheese, ensuring crisp and sturdy cheese rounds.
• Slice Precisely: Use a sharp knife and cut the logs into thin, consistent 1/8-inch rounds to guarantee uniform baking and crispy edges.
• Watch Closely While Baking: Monitor the crisps during the last few minutes of baking to prevent burning, as they can quickly transition from golden to overdone.
• Storage Tip: Store completely cooled cheese crisps in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their delightful crunchiness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 198
• Sugar: 0.4 g
• Sodium: 190 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 0.6 g
• Protein: 4.5 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg