Grandma’s Southern Cheese Crackers Recipe – Irresistibly Crispy!

Southern charm meets crispy delight in these mouthwatering southern cheese crackers that will make your taste buds dance.

Homemade snacks rarely taste this incredible straight from your kitchen.

Flaky, buttery edges promise a crisp bite with sharp cheddar’s bold punch.

Sharp cheese crumbles create a rustic texture that melts perfectly.

Regional traditions inspire this simple yet irresistible treat perfect for afternoon gatherings.

A pinch of cayenne adds unexpected warmth to each delicate cracker.

Bake these crackers and watch guests request your secret recipe.

What’s Special About Southern Cheese Crackers

• Add a personalized kick by adjusting the cayenne pepper to match your heat preference, making these crackers adaptable to different taste buds.
• Serve these crispy, cheesy crackers at gatherings, game nights, or as a delightful accompaniment to soups and salads, guaranteed to impress guests with their homemade charm.
• Prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate, allowing you to have fresh, warm crackers ready in minutes when unexpected guests arrive or when you need a quick snack.

Ingredients List for Southern Cheese Crackers

• All-Purpose Flour: The base for the cracker's structure, provides a neutral canvas for cheese flavor.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste and balances the cheese's richness.
• Cayenne Pepper: Adds a subtle spicy kick to the crackers, optional for heat lovers.

• Cheddar Cheese (Grated): Primary flavor component, sharp varieties work best for more intense taste.
• Cold Butter (Cubed): Creates flaky texture and adds rich, buttery flavor to the crackers.

• Cold Water: Helps bind the dough when needed, use sparingly to maintain cracker's crisp texture.

Steps to Make Southern Cheese Crackers from Scratch

Step 1: Blast the Oven

Crank up the oven to 350F (175C). Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Salt
• Cayenne pepper

Pulse these together until well combined.

Step 3: Create Crumbly Goodness

• Cold cubed butter
• Grated cheddar cheese

Pulse until the mixture looks like rough breadcrumbs. If the dough seems too dry, splash in cold water one tablespoon at a time until it starts sticking together.

Step 4: Form Dough Log

Dump the mixture onto parchment paper. Roll and shape into a log about the width of two fingers. Wrap it up tight and park it in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This chilling time helps the crackers keep their shape.

Step 5: Slice and Prepare

Pull out the chilled dough log. Slice into thin rounds- about the thickness of a quarter. Place these rounds on the parchment-lined baking sheet, giving each cracker some breathing room.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown and the crackers feel firm when touched.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let the crackers hang out on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. These crispy, cheesy delights are ready to munch!

Tips for Golden, Crunchy Southern Cheese Crackers

• Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate the dough log for at least an hour to ensure the butter stays cold, creating flakier, more tender crackers.
• Customize the Spice: Adjust cayenne pepper amount to match your heat preference, from a mild sprinkle to a bold kick.
• Slice Evenly: Use a sharp knife and apply gentle, consistent pressure when cutting the dough log to create uniform crackers that bake uniformly.
• Store with Care: Keep crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, maintaining their crisp texture and sharp cheddar flavor.
• Experiment with Cheese: Swap cheddar for other sharp cheeses like parmesan or gruyère to create unique flavor variations.

Store and Reheat Southern Cheese Crackers Like a Pro

• Store crackers in an airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping them crisp and fresh.
• Wrap crackers tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Warm crackers briefly in a 300F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwave, which can make them soggy.
• If crackers lose crunch, spread on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for a quick crisp-up method.

Tasty Pairings for Southern Cheese Crackers

• Sauvignon blanc's zesty acidity perfectly complements the crackers' tangy cheese flavor, cutting through the richness while enhancing the spicy cayenne undertones.
• Pair these crackers alongside prosciutto, salami, or smoked ham to create a delightful texture contrast and bring out the deep cheese flavors in both the crackers and proteins.
• A light-bodied pinot noir provides a balanced counterpoint to the sharp cheddar, its subtle fruit notes softening the crackers' bold, spicy profile while creating a harmonious tasting experience.
• Choose a hoppy IPA or crisp pilsner to match the crackers' bold cheese and pepper elements, with the beer's carbonation cleansing the palate between bites and highlighting the snack's complex flavors.

Unique Takes on Southern Cheese Crackers to Try

• Gluten-Free Cracker Variation: Replace all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend for celiac and gluten-sensitive individuals. Maintain same butter and cheese proportions for classic flavor.
• Spicy Jalapeño Cheese Crackers: Substitute cayenne with finely chopped fresh jalapeños for a zesty kick. Add extra sharp cheddar to complement the pepper's heat.
• Herb-Infused Cheese Crackers: Mix in dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or chives directly into the dough for an aromatic enhancement. Use aged parmesan instead of cheddar for deeper complexity.
• Low-Sodium Alternative: Select reduced-sodium cheese and eliminate added salt. Consider using a blend of low-fat cheeses to maintain texture while reducing overall sodium content.

Southern Cheese Crackers Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Southern hospitality shines through these crispy cheese crackers, revealing generations of comforting Southern culinary tradition. Buttery, spicy, and irresistibly cheesy, these crackers deliver a perfect blend of homestyle charm that connects you directly with classic Southern kitchen warmth.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

Liquid Ingredient:

• 23 tablespoons (345 milliliters) cold water (if needed)

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Instructions

1. Crafting the foundation requires combining dry ingredients in a food processor, creating a uniform base with flour, salt, and a hint of cayenne pepper for subtle heat.
2. Introduce cold butter cubes and freshly grated cheddar cheese into the mixture, pulsing until the texture transforms into coarse, crumbly fragments that barely hold together.
3. Adjust the dough’s consistency by adding minimal cold water if the mixture seems too fragmented, ensuring the ingredients bind without becoming overly wet.
4. Transfer the delicate mixture onto parchment paper, gently molding it into a cylindrical log approximately two inches in diameter, securing tightly with wrap.
5. Refrigerate the dough for a minimum of one hour, allowing the ingredients to solidify and flavors to meld, which enhances the cracker’s structural integrity.
6. Remove the chilled log and slice into thin, precise rounds measuring roughly 1/4-inch thick, arranging them strategically on a parchment-lined baking sheet with adequate spacing.
7. Position the prepared crackers in a preheated oven at 350F (175C), baking until the edges transform into a golden hue and the surfaces develop a firm, crisp texture.
8. Allow the freshly baked crackers to rest momentarily on the baking sheet, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack, permitting complete cooling and maximum crispness development.

Notes

• Ensure butter is extremely cold for the flakiest, most tender cracker texture that melts in your mouth.
• Control the heat level by adjusting cayenne pepper – less for mild flavor, more for a spicy kick that tingles the taste buds.
• Create gluten-free variations by substituting regular flour with almond or gluten-free blend, maintaining the same rich cheese flavor.
• Rolling the dough log tightly prevents air pockets and helps crackers maintain a consistent shape during baking, guaranteeing professional-looking results.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 189
• Sugar: 0.5 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 13 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg