Description
Classic Southern cheese straws are a delightful snack combining sharp cheddar cheese with a crispy, buttery dough. These savory treats are perfect for serving with wine or enjoying anytime you want a crunchy, cheesy bite. Made with simple ingredients and baked to a crispy golden brown, cheese straws offer a satisfying snack that’s both flavorful and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups (228g) self-rising flour
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 pound sharp or extra-sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 to 4 tablespoons water, or as needed
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the self-rising flour, smoked or sweet paprika, cayenne pepper, and kosher salt until well combined to evenly distribute the spices throughout the flour.
- Combine Cheese and Butter: Add the freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese and softened unsalted butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and thoroughly combined. Alternatively, use a hand mixer in a large mixing bowl.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Form Dough: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the cheese and butter blend. If the dough is too dry and crumbly, add water one teaspoon at a time until the dough reaches a consistency similar to soft play dough—not sticky but pliable.
- Rest the Dough: Press a piece of plastic wrap directly against the dough to prevent drying out and let it rest while preheating the oven. This rest helps hydrate the flour and relaxes the dough for easier handling.
- Prep Baking Sheets: Line two large sheet pans with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow for even baking and easy cleanup.
- Shape the Cheese Straws: Using a cookie press fitted with a large star disk, pipe the dough directly onto the parchment-lined baking sheets in lines about 2 to 3 inches long, spacing them approximately 1/2 inch apart. Alternatively, roll out half of the dough on a lightly floured surface into a 1/8-inch thick rectangle, then cut into 1/2-inch strips with a pizza cutter or sharp knife. Twist the strips several times or leave them plain, then arrange on the baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Bake the Cheese Straws: Bake in a preheated oven until the cheese straws are crisp, golden on the bottom, and lightly browned on top, about 14 to 17 minutes. If baking on two sheets at once, rotate the pans halfway through baking to ensure even cooking.
- Cool and Store: Let the cheese straws cool completely on the pan before handling, as they can be brittle when warm. Store in an airtight container for up to a week. To restore crispness if softened, reheat briefly in a toaster oven and cool before serving.
Notes
- Cheese straws are a classic Southern snack, combining the crispness of a cracker with the richness of a savory cookie.
- They pair beautifully with wine and are perfect for entertaining or casual snacking.
- Use freshly grated sharp or extra-sharp cheddar cheese for maximum flavor and the best texture.
- If you prefer a bit more heat, adjust the cayenne pepper to your taste.
- Re-crisp cheese straws in a toaster oven if they lose crunch after storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 6 cheese straws)
- Calories: 213 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 376 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 39 mg
