Crispy Cheese Herb Snack (Printable)

Ultra-crispy baked cheddar and chive bites with smoky paprika, ready in 28 minutes.

# Ingredient List:

→ Base

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

→ Cheese & Flavor

04 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 100g)
05 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and diced
07 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
08 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

→ To Finish

10 - 1 to 2 tablespoons cold water

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and fine sea salt until evenly distributed.
03 - Add the shredded cheddar, grated Parmesan, cold diced butter, chopped chives, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Work the mixture with your fingertips until it becomes uniformly crumbly.
04 - Drizzle in cold water one tablespoon at a time, gently mixing just until the dough comes together and holds its shape. Avoid overworking.
05 - Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll to approximately 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 2-inch squares or desired shapes using a knife or cookie cutter.
06 - Transfer the cut pieces to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart for even crisping.
07 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, until the edges are deeply golden and the pieces are crisp throughout.
08 - Let the pieces cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They come together in under 30 minutes with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen
  • The texture walks that perfect line between crumbly shortbread and a genuine crispy chip
  • They vanish faster than anything else on a party spread without fail
02 -
  • Rolling the dough too thick is the number one mistake and results in centers that stay soft and chalky no matter how long you bake them
  • Grating your own cheese from a block makes a significant difference because pre-shredded cheese is coated in anti-caking powder that prevents proper melting
03 -
  • If the dough feels too sticky to roll refrigerate it for 15 minutes and it will behave beautifully
  • A tiny pinch of cayenne mixed into the dry ingredients elevates the flavor without making them noticeably spicy

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