Cheese Crackers

By
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 02/19/23
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 18 servings
Yield: 36 crackers

Cheese crackers are a delicious snack that taste great served with dip, alongside soup, or all on their own. Kids and adults alike will love them as an afternoon treat or accompanying a sandwich. This recipe can easily be adjusted to your family's tastes by using different cheeses and mix-ins, too.

Homemade cheese crackers make a great appetizer or party snack since you can prepare them ahead of time. After cooling completely, they'll keep for a few days in an airtight container at room temperature. Or make a bunch, freeze them, and have them ready for your next surprise guest. A quick reheat in a toaster oven until they are hot and crisp is all they need. Double the recipe if you're feeding a crowd or want to set some aside for a rainy day.

Making your own cheese crackers is healthier than most store-bought crackers since they don't have all of the artificial ingredients, colorings, and preservatives that most packaged foods contain. Pack them up for school lunches, picnics, and long car trips.

Cheese Crackers recipe

 The Spruce 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened

  • 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened

  • 2 cups grated cheddar cheese

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus extra for sprinkling, if desired

  • 1 tablespoon dried chives

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Cheese Crackers
     The Spruce

  2. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

  3. In a medium bowl, combine the butter, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese. Mix together with a spoon until well blended.

    Cheese Crackers
     The Spruce

  4. Add the flour, salt, and chives to the butter mixture and mix until well blended.

    Cheese Crackers
     The Spruce

  5. Form the dough into 3/4-inch balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten the balls using the bottom of a drinking glass or with the tines of a fork until each cracker is about 1/4-inch thick.

    Cheese Crackers recipe
     The Spruce

  6. Prick each cracker several times with a fork. Sprinkle with a little salt, if desired.

    Cheese Crackers recipe
     The Spruce

  7. Bake the crackers at 350 F for 12 to 17 minutes until they are very lightly browned around the edges.

    Cheese Crackers recipe
     The Spruce

  8. Remove the crackers to a wire rack and cool.

    Cheese Crackers recipe
     The Spruce

  9. Pair with your favorite dip, hummus, or soup, and enjoy.

Variations

  • Swap out the grated cheese to mix up the flavor. Use a combination of Colby and Monterey ​Jack, or try havarti or Swiss in place of the cheddar cheese.
  • Add some whole-wheat flour in place of some of the all-purpose flour.
  • Sprinkle some finely chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, into the dough.
  • Add seeds, like sesame, poppy, or chopped sunflower seeds.
  • Give the crackers some spice with a dash of red pepper flakes or cracked black pepper.

Tip

  • To freeze, place on a cookie sheet and freeze until solid. Seal in heavy-duty zip-top freezer bags, label, and freeze for up to three months. When ready to eat, toast in a toaster oven or oven until hot and crisp.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
139 Calories
10g Fat
8g Carbs
4g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 18
Amount per serving
Calories 139
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 10g 13%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 27mg 9%
Sodium 186mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 8g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 94mg 7%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 25mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)