Crispy Cheese Herb Snack (Printable version)
Golden baked cheddar-Parmesan bites with chives and paprika, ready in under 30 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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 Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose 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 crumbly and the butter is evenly dispersed.
04 - Drizzle in cold water one tablespoon at a time, gently mixing until the dough just comes together and holds its shape. Avoid overworking.
05 - Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out to an even 1/8-inch thickness.
06 - Cut the dough into 2-inch squares or your preferred shapes using a knife or cookie cutter. Place the pieces on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
07 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the crisps feel firm to the touch.
08 - Transfer the crisps to a wire cooling rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- They come together in under 30 minutes with ingredients you probably already have in the fridge
- The texture walks that perfect line between cracker crisp and buttery shortbread tenderness
02 -
- Rolling the dough too thick is the number one reason these turn out soft in the middle instead of crisp all the way through
- Using room temperature butter instead of cold will make the dough greasy and the squares will spread into shapeless blobs
03 -
- Freeze the cut shapes on the baking sheet for 15 minutes before baking if your kitchen runs warm, and they will hold their edges much better
- A microplane grater on the Parmesan makes a finer texture that incorporates into the dough more evenly than a standard box grater