Deliciously Simple One Ingredient Cheez-Its Style Crackers with Sharp Cheddar Cheese Benefits of Homemade Snacks
- Dr. Hansra
- 58 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Making snacks at home can be a game changer for your health and your wallet. Instead of reaching for store-bought options loaded with additives and preservatives, you can create something tasty, wholesome, and satisfying with just one ingredient: sharp cheddar cheese. This post will show you how to make easy, crispy one ingredient Cheez-Its style crackers using sharp cheddar cheese and explain why homemade snacks like these a smart choice.
How to Make One Ingredient Cheez-Its Style Crackers with Sharp Cheddar Cheese
The recipe is incredibly simple and requires only sharp cheddar cheese. Here’s how to do it:
Preheat your oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit (135 degrees Celsius).
Take a block of sharp cheddar cheese and cut it into thin slices then cut into small, even squares, about 1/8- height by 1 inch width. For ease you can use pre-sliced cheese and cut into small squares.
for the French- fries variation cut into long thin rectangular fry shapes.
Place the cheese squares on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each piece.
Bake for about 20 minutes or until the cheese turns golden and crispy.
Remove from the oven and let cool before enjoying.
This method transforms sharp cheddar into crunchy, flavorful Cheez-Its style crackers without any flour, oils, or preservatives. The cheese crisps up nicely, delivering a rich, cheesy snack that’s perfect for munching anytime.
Benefits of Making Your Own Snacks at Home
Choosing homemade snacks like these one ingredient Cheez-Its offers several advantages:
Control Over Ingredients
When you make snacks yourself, you know exactly what goes into them. Store-bought Cheez-Its often contain artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and added sugars. Did you know what Cheez-Itz contains 20 ingredients including Tertiary-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) (Cheez-Its.com accessed 02/13/26). By using only sharp cheddar cheese, you avoid these unnecessary additives and ultra-processed ingredients.
Healthier Snacking
Ultra-processed foods have been linked to health issues such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, mental-illness, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and death (Lane et al., 2024, Vitale et al., 2024). Homemade snacks made from whole foods like cheese provide protein, calcium, and healthy fats without the harmful extras. This simple recipe helps you cut down on processed foods while still enjoying a tasty treat.
Cost-Effective and Convenient
Buying pre-packaged snacks can add up quickly. Sharp cheddar cheese is affordable and widely available. Plus, this recipe takes just minutes to prepare and bake, making it a convenient option for busy days or last-minute cravings.
Customizable Flavor and Texture
You can experiment with different types of cheddar cheese, from mild to extra sharp, to find your favorite flavor. Adding a sprinkle of herbs or spices before baking can also personalize your Cheez-Its without complicating the recipe.
Tips for Perfect Homemade Cheez-Its
To get the best results, keep these tips in mind:
Use a sharp or extra sharp cheddar for bold flavor.
Cut the cheese into uniform squares to ensure even baking.
Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Watch the baking time closely; overbaking can make the cheese burn instead of crisp.
Let the Cheez-Its cool completely to firm up their crunch.
Final Thoughts on Homemade One Ingredient Cheez-Its
Making your own Cheez-its style crackers at home is a healthier alternative over the long term for you and your family. While Cheez-its are a great tasting snack they are considered ultra processed food which carries a long-term risk as part of a greater pattern of incorporating many ultra processed foods as a part of your overall dietary pattern. It is important to cut down on ultra processed foods and consume minimal or unprocessed foods to benefit your overall health.
References
Cheez-It Original Snack Crackers. https://www.cheezit.com/en-us/products/cheez-it-original-crackers-product.html Accessed 02/13/26.
Lane MM, Gamage E, Du S, Ashtree DN, McGuinness AJ, Gauci S, Baker P, Lawrence M, Rebholz CM, Srour B, Touvier M, Jacka FN, O'Neil A, Segasby T, Marx W. Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses. BMJ. 2024 Feb 28;384:e077310.
Vitale M, Costabile G, Testa R, D'Abbronzo G, Nettore IC, Macchia PE, Giacco R. Ultra-Processed Foods and Human Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies. Adv Nutr. 2024 Jan;15(1):100121.
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