Cheddar Cheese Straw Recipe

If you’re looking for something buttery, cheesy, and irresistibly crispy to serve this holiday season, these Cheddar Cheese Straws are a must-try. They’re light, flaky, and full of sharp cheddar flavor that melts in your mouth.

Whether you’re planning Easy Cute Christmas Appetizers or building a platter of Christmas Eve Hors D’oeuvres, these cheese straws add the perfect touch of comfort and crunch. This is one of those recipes you’ll want to pin for later!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional, for color)
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 to 3 tablespoons cold water

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, paprika, and cayenne pepper. This mix gives your Cheddar Cheese Straws a mild warmth and beautiful golden color.
3. Add the cold butter cubes to the dry ingredients. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend until the mixture looks crumbly and sandy.
4. Mix in the shredded cheddar cheese until it’s evenly distributed. You should see tiny bits of cheese throughout the flour mixture.
5. Gradually add 2 tablespoons of cold water, mixing until the dough begins to come together. If it’s too dry, add one more tablespoon. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
6. Form the dough into a ball, flatten it slightly into a disk, and chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. This helps the butter firm up, creating that crisp and flaky texture when baked.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a knife or pizza cutter to slice into long, thin strips about 1/2 inch wide.
8. Carefully twist each strip a few times to create that classic cheese straw shape, then place them on the prepared baking sheet.
9. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly golden and crisp at the edges. Your kitchen will smell wonderfully buttery and cheesy.
10. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes before serving. These are delicious warm but just as tasty at room temperature.

Serving & Storage Tips

These Cheddar Cheese Straws are perfect for any Appetizers For Christmas Eve platter. Pair them with savory Christmas Salmon or creamy Xmas Dips like spinach-artichoke or pimento cheese. You can also serve them with soups or as a crunchy side at a Christmas Eve Luncheon.

To store, keep them in an airtight container for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the unbaked dough strips and bake them straight from the freezer for a quick Appetizer For Christmas any time.

Tips for Success

• Use cold butter. It’s key to achieving flaky layers.
• Don’t overmix. Too much handling makes them tough instead of light.
• Get creative. Try adding a pinch of garlic powder or a sprinkle of rosemary for extra flavor.
• Presentation idea: Stack them in a jar tied with a red ribbon for a festive snack table addition.

Cheddar Cheese Straws

These Cheddar Cheese Straws are flaky, buttery, and packed with sharp cheddar flavorperfect for holiday gatherings or as a crispy snack. They’re easy to make and a festive addition to any appetizer platter.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Chilling Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 30 straws

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Calories: 120

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Cheese Straw Dough

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp paprika optional, for color
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional, for heat
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter cold, cut into small cubes
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
• 2 to 3 tbsp cold water as needed

Equipment

• Baking Sheet
• Parchment Paper
• Pastry Cutter

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Whisk together flour, salt, paprika, and cayenne in a large bowl.
3. Add cold butter cubes and blend with fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese evenly.
5. Add 2 tablespoons cold water and mix until dough begins to come together. Add more if necessary.
6. Form dough into a disk, wrap and chill for 20 minutes.
7. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into 1/2-inch strips.
8. Twist each strip and place on prepared baking sheet.
9. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden and crisp. Cool on a wire rack.

Notes

• Use cold butter for flakiness and don’t overwork the dough.
• Try adding garlic powder or herbs for variety.

FAQs

1. Why are my cheese straws not crispy?
If they turn out soft, they likely needed a bit more baking time. Bake until golden and firm. Cooling them on a wire rack helps maintain crispness, which is ideal for Christmas Hor Dourves.

2. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be made 2 days in advance and chilled. Just let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before rolling it out. This makes it great for planning your Christmas Eve Appetizer Ideas.

3. What cheese works best?
Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor. However, you can blend cheddar with Parmesan for a saltier bite, especially if you’re serving these as Apps For Christmas Eve with other savory dishes.

Conclusion

These Cheddar Cheese Straws are simple, elegant, and always a hit. Whether you’re hosting a big holiday gathering or preparing for a cozy Christmas Eve Luncheon, they’ll add a touch of warmth and charm to your table. Serve them with your favorite Xmas Dips or alongside other festive bites like Pull Apart Christmas Tree Bread for a spread that’s both beautiful and delicious. Don’t forget to pin and share this recipe for your next Christmas Eve Hors D’oeuvres party!