Copycat Gluten Free Cheez It Crackers Recipe

This gluten free cheez it recipe uses sharp cheddar cheese, butter, gluten-free flour, and a few spices to create the perfect savory treat. Simply mix the ingredients, bake in the oven, and enjoy during snack time!

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Do you love the satisfying crunch and savory flavor of cheez its, but need to follow a gluten-free diet? Have no fear – this easy recipe will allow you to enjoy your favorite snack without any gluten.

These gluten-free cheez its are the perfect snack for satisfying your craving for something savory and crunchy. You will love these delicious cheese crackers with an extra cheesy flavor! They're easy to make and only require a few simple ingredients. Plus, with the added bonus of being gluten-free, everyone can enjoy them!

If you're looking for more great recipes like these gluten-free cheese crackers, check out the BEST gluten free vegan blondies, my gluten free andes mint crumbl cookie recipe, and my nutella frozen chocolate covered raspberries.

Why You'll Love These Cheez It Crackers

Here are a few reasons why you might love this recipe:

• It's easy to make: With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep work, this recipe is a breeze to whip up.
• It's satisfying and delicious: The combination of sharp cheddar cheese, butter, and spices creates a savory and flavorful snack that's hard to resist.
• It's gluten-free: If you follow a gluten-free diet or have friends or family members who do, this recipe is a great option for everyone to enjoy.
• It's versatile: You can use this recipe as a base and add in your own favorite spices or herbs to customize the flavor. You can also try using different types of cheese or adding in extras like chopped nuts or seeds.

Overall, this recipe is a tasty and convenient option for a satisfying snack that's sure to please.

Why Store-bought Cheez Its Have Gluten

All store-bought cheez its from the grocery store contain gluten because wheat flour is often used as an ingredient in the product. Wheat flour contains gluten, which is a protein that gives dough its elasticity and helps it to rise. It's also what gives baked goods like cheez its their characteristic texture and flavor.

Some people have sensitivities or allergies to gluten, so they need to avoid foods that contain it like this salty snack. That's why it can be helpful to have recipes like the gluten-free cheez it recipe I provided – they allow people who follow a gluten-free diet to enjoy this delicious snack!

Key Ingredients

Here are the key ingredients in this gluten-free cheez it recipe and a brief description of each:

• Sharp cheddar cheese: Real cheese is the main ingredient that gives the cheez its their flavor. Sharp cheddar is a type of cheese that is aged for a longer period of time, which gives it a stronger, more pungent flavor compared to mild cheddar. You may also try using white cheddar for a variation of these salty snacks.
• Butter: This adds flavor and richness to the cheez its. It also helps to bind the dough together and give the finished product a tender, crumbly texture.
• Gluten-free flour: This is the main source of structure in the cheez its. It provides the dough with a base that can hold its shape and support the other ingredients.
• Salt: This is a common ingredient in savory baked goods and helps to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Onion powder: This adds a subtle onion flavor to the cheez its and helps to balance out the richness of the cheese and butter.
• Paprika: This adds a slight smoky and slightly spicy flavor to the cheez its. It also gives the finished product a slight reddish color.
• Ice water: This helps to bring the dough together and give it a smooth, pliable texture to make these homemade cheez it crackers.
• Flaky sea salt: This is used as a finishing touch on top of the cheez its before baking. It adds a touch of saltiness and crunch to the finished product.

What gluten free flour brand is best for this recipe?

King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour blend is a popular choice for gluten-free baking because it is made from a blend of several different types of gluten-free flours, starches, and xanthan gum. This combination creates a flour that is versatile and behaves similarly to all-purpose wheat flour in many recipes.

One of the benefits of using King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour blend in this recipe is that it is a "cup for cup" replacement for all-purpose wheat flour. This means that you can use it in a recipe that calls for wheat flour, but you'll need to use the same amount of gluten-free flour blend. This can be convenient because you don't have to worry about adjusting the proportions of the other ingredients in the recipe. It also already contains xanthan gum.

Additionally, King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour has a relatively neutral flavor, so it won't overpower the other ingredients in the recipe. It is also relatively easy to work with and produces good results in a variety of baked goods, including cheez its.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Crackers

Here are the step-by-step instructions for this gluten free cheez it recipe:

Preheat the oven and gather the ingredients

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grate the sharp cheddar cheese and set it aside.

Mix the dry ingredients

In a food processor, combine the gluten-free flour, salt, onion powder, and paprika. Pulse a few times to mix the dry ingredients.

Pulse the mixture

Add the butter to the food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.

Continue Adding Ingredients

Add in the grated cheddar cheese and cold water until a dough forms. If the dough seems too dry, you can add an additional tablespoon of water.

Roll out the dough and cut it into shapes

Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until it is about ¼ inch thick. Use a small cookie cutter or knife to cut the dough into the desired shape (traditionally, cheez its are square-shaped).

Place the cheez its on a baking sheet and sprinkle with sea salt

Place the cheez its on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Use a fork to press the prongs into the center of each cracker.

Bake the cheez its

Bake the cheez its in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until they are lightly golden and crisp.

Remove from the oven and serve

Remove the cheez its from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Expert Tips for Cheez Its

Here are a few tips for making this gluten free cheez it recipe:

• Use a food processor to make the dough: As I mentioned in a previous response, using a food processor to make the dough can be a quick and easy way to bring all the ingredients together. Simply pulse the dry ingredients together, add the butter, and pulse until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Then, stir in the cheese and water until a dough forms.
• Roll out the dough evenly: To ensure that the cheez its bake evenly, try to roll out the dough to a consistent thickness. A ruler or a rolling pin with adjustable thickness guides can be helpful for this.
• Use a pizza cutter or a knife to cut the dough into shapes: A pizza cutter is a quick and easy tool for cutting the dough into small, even squares. Alternatively, you can use a sharp knife to cut the dough into shapes of your choice.
• Sprinkle the cheez its with flaky sea salt: This adds a touch of saltiness and crunch to the finished product. If you don't have flaky sea salt, you can use any type of coarse salt that you have on hand.
• Use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper: This helps to prevent the cheez its from sticking to the pan and makes for easy cleanup.
• Let the cheez its cool before serving: This allows the cheez its to firm up and become more crisp as they cool. If you try to serve them while they are still hot, they may be too soft and not have the desired crunch.

How to Cut the Cheez It Crackers

To cut the dough into 1-inch squares using a pizza cutter, follow these steps:

1. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about ⅛ inch.
2. Use the pizza cutter to cut the dough into long, horizontal strips, about 1 inch wide.
3. Turn the dough 90 degrees and cut it into vertical strips, again about 1 inch wide.
4. You should now have a grid of small squares. If any of the squares are larger or smaller than 1 inch, you can use the pizza cutter to trim them to size.
5. Carefully transfer the squares to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure to leave enough space between them for the dough to expand while baking.
6. Proceed with the rest of the recipe as directed. The squares should bake up into crispy, delicious gluten-free Cheez-Its in about 15 minutes. Enjoy!

Recipe Variations

Here are a few ideas for variations on this gluten-free cheez it recipe:

• Mix in additional spices or herbs: You can customize the flavor of the cheez its by adding in your favorite spices or herbs. Some ideas might include garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, oregano, basil, or thyme.
• Use a different type of cheese: While sharp cheddar is a classic choice for cheez its, you can experiment with using different types of cheese to change up the flavor. For example, you could try using gouda, parmesan, or a blend of different cheeses.
• Add in extras: You can mix in additional ingredients to add texture and flavor to the cheez its. Some ideas might include chopped nuts, seeds, or dried herbs.
• Make a flavored salt mixture: Instead of sprinkling the cheez its with plain sea salt, you can create a flavored salt mixture by mixing together sea salt with your choice of spices or herbs. Some ideas might include smoked paprika, garlic powder, or Italian seasoning.
• Try different shapes: Instead of cutting the dough into traditional square-shaped cheez its, you can try cutting it into different shapes using cookie cutters or a knife.

How can I make this cheez it recipe vegan?

To make this gluten-free cheez it recipe vegan, you'll need to substitute the sharp cheddar cheese and butter with vegan alternatives. Here are a few options you could try:

• Vegan cheese: There are many types of vegan cheese available that are made from plant-based ingredients such as nuts, seeds, and coconut oil. Look for a vegan cheese that has a similar flavor and texture to sharp cheddar. You may also try using nutritional yeast instead.
• Vegan butter: You can find vegan butter at most grocery stores or online. It is typically made from plant-based oils and is a good substitute for regular butter in baking recipes.

You'll also need to make sure that any other ingredients you use, such as the gluten-free flour and flaky sea salt, are vegan-friendly.

To make the recipe, simply follow the instructions provided, using the vegan cheese and butter in place of the regular cheese and butter. The end result should be a delicious, vegan-friendly version of gluten-free cheez its.

Ingredient Substitutions

Here are a few ingredient substitutions that you could try for this gluten free Cheez It recipe:

• Instead of sharp cheddar cheese, you could try using any other type of hard cheese that you like. Some good options include Parmesan, Gouda, or Colby.
• If you're looking for a dairy-free alternative to butter, you could try using a vegan butter or margarine in this recipe. You could also use coconut oil, olive oil, or any other type of oil that you like.
• If you don't have any gluten-free flour on hand, you could try using a blend of almond flour and coconut flour as a substitute. This will give the Cheez-Its a slightly nutty flavor, but they should still turn out nicely.
• If you don't have any flaky sea salt, you could try using regular table salt or kosher salt instead. You could also try using flavored sea salt, such as truffle salt or smoked salt, for an extra touch of flavor.

Keep in mind that these substitutions may affect the texture and flavor of the final product, so you may need to adjust the recipe slightly to compensate.

For another easy snack, try making my 4 ingredient banana snickers on my blog!

Storage Instructions

To store your gluten-free Cheez-Its, first let them cool completely after baking. Once they've cooled, transfer them to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. They will keep at room temperature for about 3-4 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

You can also freeze the Cheez-Its for longer storage. To do this, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the Cheez-Its to a resealable plastic bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.

To serve the frozen Cheez-Its, let them thaw at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before eating. They can also be reheated in a 350 degree F oven for about 5-10 minutes, or until they're warm and crispy. Enjoy!

Recommended Equipment

To make this gluten free Cheez It recipe, you will need the following equipment:

• A grater: You'll need to grate the cheddar cheese for this recipe. You can use a box grater, a food processor with a grating attachment, or a microplane grater.
• A mixing bowl: This is where you'll mix together the dry ingredients and cut in the butter.
• A rolling pin: You'll need a rolling pin to roll out the dough to the desired thickness before cutting out the Cheez-Its.
• A baking sheet: You'll need a baking sheet to bake the Cheez-Its on. Any size will do, as long as it fits in your oven. Just be sure to line the baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the Cheez-Its from sticking.
• A pizza cutter: This is optional, but a pizza cutter can be useful for cutting the rolled-out dough into small squares more quickly and easily. You could also use a sharp knife if you don't have a pizza cutter.
• Plastic wrap: You'll need a sheet of plastic wrap to cover the dough while you roll it out. This will help to prevent the dough from drying out and becoming difficult to work with. You can also use a piece of parchment paper.
• Pastry cutter: If you don't have a food processor, you may use a pastry cutter instead. A pastry cutter or pastry blender will work just as well.
• Air-Tight Container: for storing any extra crispy crackers. If you make a double batch, this will come in handy.

That's all the equipment you'll need to make this delicious gluten free Cheez It recipe!

Serving Suggestions

There are many ways you can serve this delicious gluten-free Cheez-It recipe! Here are a few ideas:

• As a snack: These crispy, cheesy crackers are perfect for snacking on their own. You can serve them as a tasty treat anytime you're craving something savory and satisfying.
• With dips: Cheez-Its are great for dipping! Try serving them with your favorite dips, such as ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, or salsa.
• As part of a cheese board: These gluten-free Cheez-Its would be a welcome addition to any cheese board. Pair them with your favorite cheeses, meats, and crackers for a tasty and sophisticated snack.
• As a party appetizer: These tasty crackers are perfect for serving at parties and gatherings. Set out a bowl of Cheez-Its for guests to snack on while they mingle and enjoy each other's company.

No matter how you choose to serve them, this gluten free cheez it recipe is sure to be a hit with everyone! Enjoy!

Tips for Customizing Your Gluten-Free Cheez-Its

Looking to personalize your batch of gluten-free Cheez-Its? Here are some creative variations to spice up this classic snack:

• Experiment with Cheese Varieties: Beyond sharp cheddar, why not try mixing in Parmesan for a nutty flavor, or smoked Gouda for a smoky twist? Each cheese brings its unique taste, elevating the snack to new heights.
• Add Heat with Spices: For those who enjoy a kick, incorporating chili powder or a dash of cayenne pepper can add a pleasant warmth to your crackers.
• Herbal Notes: Rosemary or thyme can offer an aromatic quality to your Cheez-Its, perfect for pairing with a sophisticated cheese board.

Gluten-Free Flour Options for Every Baker

King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour blend is a fantastic choice for this recipe, but if you're looking to experiment, here are a few alternatives:

• Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour: Known for its reliability in gluten-free recipes, it's a great substitute that won't alter the texture of your Cheez-Its.
• Cup4Cup Multipurpose Gluten-Free Flour: Another excellent option for those seeking a direct wheat flour replacement, ensuring your crackers retain their signature crunch.

Pairing Your Gluten-Free Cheez-Its

Elevate your snacking experience with these pairing ideas for your homemade Cheez-Its:

• Wine Pairings: A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light red such as Pinot Noir can complement the rich, cheesy flavor of your crackers.
• Dip Ideas: Hummus, guacamole, or a homemade ranch dip can make your Cheez-It tasting session even more delightful.
• Soup Sidekicks: Pair your Cheez-Its with a bowl of creamy tomato soup or a chunky vegetable stew for a comforting meal.

FAQ

Copycat Gluten Free Cheez It Crackers Recipe

This gluten-free cheez it recipe uses sharp cheddar cheese, butter, gluten-free flour, and a few spices to create the perfect savory treat. Simply mix the ingredients, bake in the oven, and enjoy during snack time!

5 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 4 cups

Calories 462 kcal

Equipment

• A grater
• A mixing bowl
• A rolling pin
• A baking sheet
• A pizza cutter
• Plastic wrap
• Pastry cutter
• Air-Tight Container

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup gluten-free flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• 4 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt

Instructions

 

• First, preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Then, grate your sharp cheddar cheese and set it aside. In a food processor, mix together the gluten-free flour, salt, onion powder, and paprika. Add in the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.
• Add in the grated cheddar cheese and cold water until a dough forms. If the dough seems too dry, you can add an additional tablespoon of water.
• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until it is about ¼ inch thick. Use a small cookie cutter or knife to cut the dough into the desired shape (traditionally, cheez its are square-shaped). Place the cheez its on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Use a fork to press the prongs into the center of each cracker.
• Bake the cheez its in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until they are lightly golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

To serve the frozen Cheez-Its, let them thaw at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before eating. They can also be reheated in a 350 degree F oven for about 5-10 minutes, or until they're warm and crispy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 462kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 17gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 664mgPotassium: 70mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1151IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 428mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Appetizer recipe, Baked snack, Cheese crackers, Cheez-Its, gluten free, gluten free cheez it recipe, Gluten-free flour, Homemade snack, Sharp cheddar cheese, Snack recipe

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