Cheddar cheese straws are a delightful and savory snack that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. These crispy, cheesy treats are perfect for parties, gatherings, or just as a quick bite. With a hint of cayenne pepper, they offer a subtle kick that complements the rich flavor of sharp cheddar cheese. Simple to make and incredibly delicious, these cheese straws are sure to become a favorite.
Most of the ingredients for cheddar cheese straws are common pantry staples, but you might need to pay attention to a few items. Sharp cheddar cheese is essential for the bold flavor, so make sure to get a good quality one. Cayenne pepper adds a bit of heat, which might not be in everyone's spice rack. Lastly, ensure you have unsalted butter, as it allows you to control the saltiness of the final product.
Ingredients for Cheddar Cheese Straws Recipe
All-purpose flour: The base of the dough, providing structure and texture.
Salt: Enhances the flavor of the cheese straws.
Cayenne pepper: Adds a subtle heat to the straws, balancing the richness of the cheese.
Unsalted butter: Provides a tender, flaky texture and allows control over the salt content.
Sharp cheddar cheese: The star ingredient, offering a bold and tangy flavor.
Ice water: Helps bring the dough together without making it too sticky.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When mixing the butter into the flour mixture, use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to ensure the butter remains cold and forms pea-sized pieces. This will create a flaky texture in the cheese straws.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
all-purpose flour - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour adds a nutty flavor and more fiber, though it may make the texture slightly denser.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can provide a slightly different mineral taste and texture.
cayenne pepper - Substitute with paprika: Paprika offers a milder heat and a sweet, smoky flavor.
unsalted butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine can be used as a non-dairy alternative, though it may slightly alter the flavor and texture.
sharp cheddar cheese - Substitute with gruyere cheese: Gruyere has a similar sharpness and melts well, providing a comparable texture and flavor.
ice water - Substitute with cold milk: Cold milk can add a bit of richness and help bind the dough similarly to ice water.
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How to Store or Freeze This Recipe
Allow the cheddar cheese straws to cool completely on a wire rack before storing. This ensures they maintain their crisp texture and don't become soggy.
Store the cheddar cheese straws in an airtight container. A tin or a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid works best to keep them fresh and crunchy.
Keep the container in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. The pantry or a kitchen cabinet is ideal. They should stay fresh for up to one week.
For longer storage, consider freezing. Place the cooled cheddar cheese straws in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. This prevents them from sticking together.
Once frozen, transfer the cheddar cheese straws to a resealable freezer bag or an airtight container. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
When ready to enjoy, reheat the frozen cheddar cheese straws in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are warmed through and crispy again.
Avoid microwaving the cheddar cheese straws as it can make them soft and chewy instead of crisp.
If you prefer, you can also freeze the dough before baking. Roll out the dough, cut into strips, and freeze on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag.
When baking from frozen, add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time, keeping an eye on them to ensure they don't overbake.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cheddar cheese straws on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Heat for about 5-7 minutes until they regain their crispiness.
For a quick fix, use a toaster oven. Set it to 350°F (175°C) and place the cheddar cheese straws directly on the rack or a small baking tray. Toast for 3-5 minutes.
If you prefer using a microwave, place the cheddar cheese straws on a microwave-safe plate. Cover them with a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out. Heat on medium power for 20-30 seconds. Note: This method may not retain the original crispiness.
For a stovetop method, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the cheddar cheese straws in the skillet and heat for 1-2 minutes on each side until warmed through and slightly crispy.
If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the cheddar cheese straws in the basket in a single layer. Air fry for 3-4 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the cheddar cheese straws at the specified temperature.
Baking sheet: A flat sheet used to place the dough strips for baking.
Parchment paper: Lining the baking sheet to prevent the dough from sticking and to ensure even baking.
Mixing bowl: A bowl used to combine the flour, salt, cayenne pepper, butter, and cheese.
Pastry cutter or fork: Used to cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Grater: Used to grate the sharp cheddar cheese.
Rolling pin: Used to roll out the dough to the desired thickness.
Knife or pizza cutter: Used to cut the rolled-out dough into strips.
Wire rack: Used to cool the baked cheese straws after they come out of the oven.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the flour and grated cheese accurately.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the salt and cayenne pepper accurately.
Ice water: Used to bring the dough together.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure and prepare all ingredients in advance to streamline the process.
Use a food processor: Quickly mix flour, butter, and cheddar cheese using a food processor to save time.
Chill the dough: Chill the dough for 10 minutes in the fridge to make it easier to roll out and cut.
Cut with a pizza cutter: Use a pizza cutter to swiftly cut the dough strips evenly.
Batch baking: Bake multiple batches at once if you have a large oven to save time.
Cheddar Cheese Straws
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ cup unsalted butter cold, cut into small pieces
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese grated
- 2 tablespoon ice water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix flour, salt, and cayenne pepper. Add butter and mix until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add grated cheddar cheese and mix. Gradually add ice water until the dough comes together.
- Roll out dough on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Cut into strips.
- Place strips on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let cool on a wire rack before serving.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Main Courses and Desserts for This Recipe
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