Sourdough Cheez-It Crackers
Crispy, tangy sourdough Cheez-It crackers are a homemade snack perfect for cheese lovers looking for a natural and flavorful treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 36 crackers
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup sourdough starter (discard or active, unfed)
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika (optional for extra flavor)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 1 tablespoon water (more if needed)
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the sourdough starter, flour, salt, and paprika.
- Add the grated cheddar cheese and mix to distribute evenly.
- Cut in the chilled butter using your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add water a little at a time until a firm dough forms. Knead briefly until smooth.
- Roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment paper until about 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick.
- Remove the top parchment sheet and cut the dough into 1-inch squares using a knife or pizza cutter.
- Transfer the squares to the prepared baking sheet. Use a fork to prick each cracker to prevent puffing.
- Sprinkle flaky sea salt evenly over the crackers.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the crackers are golden and crisp.
- Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before storing in an airtight container.
Notes
For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dough or sprinkle some smoked paprika on top before baking.