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Healthy Homemade Cheez-Its Recipe

A close-up stack of golden, square homemade healthy cheez-its seasoned with paprika on a light gray plate.
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Make your own crispy, cheesy crackers from scratch using whole wheat flour for a healthier alternative to boxed snacks. This recipe delivers big flavor with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
  • 1/4 cup cold water
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (for color and flavor)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour, all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder.
  2. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until evenly distributed.
  4. In a small bowl, mix the cold water and Dijon mustard. Gradually add the liquid mixture to the flour mixture, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix.
  5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it 2 or 3 times until it just comes together. Flatten into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
  6. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. Divide the dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll one half out very thinly, aiming for about 1/16 inch thickness. The thinner you roll, the crispier the crackers will be.
  8. Use a pizza cutter or a small square cookie cutter to cut the dough into small squares (about 1 inch). Use a toothpick to poke a small hole in the center of each cracker.
  9. Transfer the crackers to the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle lightly with a pinch of salt and the smoked paprika.
  10. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, rotating the sheets halfway through, until the edges are lightly golden brown and the crackers are crisp.
  11. Let the baked cheese crackers cool completely on the baking sheets; they will crisp up further as they cool. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

  • For a gluten-free cheese crackers recipe, substitute the wheat flours with a 1:1 gluten-free blend that contains xanthan gum.
  • If you want a more intense orange color without artificial dyes, add 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder with the dry ingredients.
  • For a vegan homemade Cheez-Its alternative, replace the butter with solid coconut oil and use nutritional yeast instead of cheddar cheese.
  • These homemade savory snacks store well at room temperature for up to one week.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://purecookingjoy.com/homemade-healthy-cheez-its-recipe/

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