Crispy Cheeto Cheese Crackers (Printable)

Crunchy crackers combining crushed Cheetos with sharp cheddar for a flavorful, bold snack.

# Components:

→ Cheese Mixture

01 - 1 1/2 cups crushed Cheetos (about 2 cups whole), finely crushed
02 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
04 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

→ Dough

07 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
08 - 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
09 - 2 to 3 tablespoons cold water

# Method:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, mix crushed Cheetos, grated cheddar, softened butter, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper until well blended.
03 - Whisk together all-purpose flour and baking powder in a separate bowl.
04 - Add the flour mixture to the cheese mixture and stir until a coarse dough forms. Gradually add cold water one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together, firm but not sticky.
05 - Roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness between two sheets of parchment paper.
06 - Cut the dough into 1-inch squares or desired shapes with a cookie cutter. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet, spacing slightly apart.
07 - Bake for 13 to 15 minutes until golden and crisp. Allow crackers to cool completely on a wire rack before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They taste like comfort food but feel homemade and special in a way store-bought crackers never will.
  • Ready in 30 minutes with just one bowl of mixing, so you can pull them together before guests arrive.
  • The salty, cheesy punch works equally well at a casual snack table or paired with dips for something fancier.
02 -
  • The moment your dough feels sticky, you've added too much water—there's no coming back from that, so err on the side of dryness and only add water if the dough won't hold together at all.
  • These crackers transform completely once they cool. They'll seem soft coming out of the oven but will crisp up within minutes on the wire rack, so patience here is everything.
03 -
  • Don't skip lining your baking sheet with parchment—it's the difference between crackers that release easily and ones that stick and shatter.
  • Crushing the Cheetos finely matters; chunky pieces won't integrate smoothly and you'll end up with uneven texture in every bite.
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