Looking for the perfect savory snack? These cheese straws recipe are addictive! Crispy, flaky and cheesy, they’ll disappear fast at any party. Let me show you how to make these treats that combine buttery puff pastry with sharp cheese and a pinch of spice.
WHAT ARE CHEESE STRAWS?
Cheese straws are delicate, crispy pastries made by combining cheese with buttery pastry dough. Think of them as the fancy cousin of cheese crackers – lighter, more elegant and with an irreisistible flaky texture that’s perfect for everything from snacking to appetizers.
WHERE DID CHEESE STRAWS ORIGINATE?
These little gems have deep roots in Southern American cuisine, particularly in Georgia and Mississippi. They’ve been a staple at social gatherings since the late 1800s when home cooks started experimenting with European pastry techniques using local ingredients. The combination of sharp cheddar cheese and basic pantry staples gave birth to what we now know as the classic cheese straw.
INGREDIENTS
- All-purpose flour
- Black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
- Unsalted butter
- Extra-sharp cheddar cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Cold water
HOW TO MAKE CHEESE STRAWS?
STEP ONE: PREHEAT
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This will bake them evenly and get them golden brown.
STEP TWO: PREPARE THE SEASONED FLOUR
In your food processor, combine flour, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Pulse a few times to make sure the seasonings are well combined.
STEP THREE: ADD BUTTER
Add cold butter on top of the flour mixture. Pulse until it looks like coarse crumbs. This is important for flaky texture.
STEP FOUR: ADD CHEESE
Add both cheddar and Parmesan cheese. Add 3 tablespoons of cold water. Pulse until it forms a ball. If needed, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of water to help it form.
STEP FIVE: SHAPE
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Roll into a 9-inch square with a floured rolling pin. Cut into 3-inch by ½ inch strips. You should end up with 48 strips.
STEP SIX: BAKE TO PERFECTION
Arrange the cheese straws on an ungreased nonstick baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each strip. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
Tip: Store in an airtight container. They’ll stay crispy for up to 2 days.
DELICIOUS CHEESE STRAWS RECIPE
Now that you know all about cheese straws, it's time to print the recipe or save it for later.
You can print off the complete ingredients and instructions for Crispy Delicious Cheese Straws via the recipe card below.
A classic Southern recipe for crispy, flaky cheese straws combining sharp cheddar and Parmesan cheese with buttery pastry dough, perfect for entertaining and special occasions.
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 5 Tbsp. cold unsalted butter cut into pieces
- 1 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3-4 Tbsp. cold water
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Preheat oven to 375° F.
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Combine flour, pepper and cayenne in food
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processor and pulse to blend.
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Scatter butter on top of the seasoned flour
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mixture. Pulse until mixture resembles
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coarse crumbs.
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Scatter cheddar cheese and Parmesan
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cheese on top of mixture and drizzle with 3
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Tbsp. cold water. Pulse until mixture forms
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a ball. Add the last tablespoon of water if
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needed.
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Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work
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surface. With lightly floured rolling pin, roll
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dough into a 9 inch square. With pizza
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cutter or knife, cut dough into 3 by 1/2 inch
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strips, making a total of 48 strips.
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Place cheese strips about 1 inch apart on
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ungreased large nonstick baking sheet.
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Bake until golden, about 15 minutes. With
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wide spatula, transfer to wire racks to cool
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completely.
These can be stored in an airtight
container for up to 2 days.
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If you liked this delicious cheesy appetizer recipe, be sure to check these other great recipes out:
- Easy Cajun Cheese Crackers
- Asiago Cheese Crash Hot Potatoes
- Easy Air Fryer Tortilla Chips for Weight Watchers
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