Bushra Griffith
Cheese straws are a popular snack, especially in the Southern United States, where they are a staple at parties and holiday gatherings. They are typically made with flour, butter, and cheese, and are known for their crispy, flaky texture. For those with gluten intolerance or coeliac disease, cheese straws may seem off the menu, but several gluten-free recipes are available, using gluten-free flour blends and xanthan gum. Some recipes are also vegan, dairy-free, and egg-free, substituting vegan butter or coconut oil for dairy butter and using dairy-free cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are cheese straws gluten-free? | Yes, cheese straws can be made gluten-free. |
| Types of gluten-free cheese straws | Gluten-free cheese straws can be vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, nut-free, and oat-free. |
| Ingredients | Gluten-free flour, cheese, butter or margarine, xanthan gum, and seasoning. |
| Recipe | Mix ingredients in a food processor, roll out the dough, cut into strips, twist, and bake. |
| Baking temperature | Bake at 350-375º F for 10-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the cheese straws. |
| Storage | Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days or freeze in a zipper bag for up to 3 months. |
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What You'll Learn
Gluten-free cheese straws recipe
Cheese straws are a popular snack, especially in the South, and are often served at parties, from baby showers to afternoon tea. They are a type of savoury cookie, with a crunchy, flaky texture and a cheesy flavour. While traditional cheese straws contain gluten, there are gluten-free alternatives that are just as tasty and addictive!
Ingredients
To make gluten-free cheese straws, you will need the following ingredients:
- Gluten-free flour blend
- Butter (salted or unsalted)
- Cheese (such as cheddar, parmesan, or smoked gouda)
- Seasonings (such as garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper)
- Water
- Optional: Xanthan gum (if your gluten-free flour blend doesn't contain it)
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Add the gluten-free flour blend, seasonings, butter, and water to a food processor. Pulse until a dough ball forms. You can also do this by hand, mixing the ingredients until a dough forms.
- Break the dough into 4 pieces. Roll each piece out on a floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
- Cut the dough into strips with a pizza cutter or knife. Twist each strip and place it on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Sprinkle the cheese twists with salt, if desired.
- Bake the cheese straws for 15-20 minutes, or until they are crispy and golden brown.
- Allow the cheese straws to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Tips
- You can make the cheese straws as long or thick as you like, but be careful not to make them too large, as they may break more easily.
- If you prefer a dairy-free option, you can substitute dairy-free cheese and margarine, but you may need to adjust the measurements to ensure the dough holds together.
- You can also make gluten-free puff pastry cheese straws by using store-bought or homemade gluten-free puff pastry and following a similar process of rolling out the dough, adding cheese, and baking.
- Get creative with your cheese choices! You can use any flavour of cheese you like to change the flavour profile of your cheese straws.
- Experiment with different seasonings and additives, such as dried herbs, garlic powder, or even crushed red pepper flakes for a spicier kick.
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Ingredients and alternatives
Cheese straws are a popular snack, especially in the Southern United States, and are often served at parties and holidays. They are typically made with butter, flour, and cheese, and are baked until crispy. For those with gluten intolerance or coeliac disease, gluten-free cheese straws can be made using gluten-free flour blends.
Gluten-free flour blends, such as gfJules Flour, King Arthur Measure for Measure, and Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Blend, can be used in place of traditional flour to make gluten-free cheese straws. It is important to note that the fat-to-flour ratio may need to be adjusted when using gluten-free flour, as gluten-free recipes tend to require less fat.
In addition to gluten-free flour, other ingredients in cheese straws can be substituted to accommodate dietary restrictions or preferences. For a dairy-free option, dairy-free margarine or chilled refined coconut oil can be used in place of butter, although the cheese itself may be more challenging to replace. While dairy-free cheese is available, it may not provide the same crispiness to the straws, and the measurements may need to be adjusted.
Vegan cheese straws can also be made by using shreddable vegan cheese blocks, such as Daiya Farmhouse Blocks or Epic Vegan Cheddar blocks from Violife. Vegan butter or refined coconut oil can be used in place of traditional butter, and gluten-free all-purpose flour can be substituted for regular flour to make the recipe completely gluten-free.
For those with nut allergies, almond flour can be replaced with pecan or walnut flour, which can be made at home using a food processor or high-powered blender. It is important to finely grind the nuts to ensure a smooth dough that can be easily piped or pressed.
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Preparation and cooking instructions
Gluten-free cheese straws can be made in a variety of ways, with some recipes being gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, nut-free, and oat-free. The preparation and cooking instructions for gluten-free cheese straws can vary depending on the specific recipe and ingredients used, but here is a general guide:
Ingredients
Cheese straws typically include cheese, butter or vegan butter, gluten-free flour, and various seasonings. Some common cheese options include cheddar, parmesan, smoked gouda, or dairy-free alternatives. For the butter, you can use salted, unsalted, or vegan butter. Gluten-free flour blends can be purchased or made at home using a food processor or high-powered blender to ensure a fine consistency. Seasonings can include garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, and nutritional yeast, which enhances the cheese flavor.
Mixing and Shaping the Dough
Start by grating the cheese and letting it come to room temperature. Melt the butter and allow it to cool, then mix it with the flour and other dry ingredients. You can use a food processor or mix by hand. Once the dry ingredients are combined, add the butter and cheese, mixing until well blended. The dough should be wet and soft enough to pipe.
Transfer the dough to a piping bag or cookie press fitted with a star-shaped tip to create the classic long and crinkly cheese straw shape. Alternatively, you can roll the dough into balls and flatten them into rounds to make cheese wafers.
Baking
Preheat your oven to around 350-375°F (180°C or Gas Mark 4). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pipe or shape the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each straw. Sprinkle the straws with a bit of extra cheese.
Bake the cheese straws for 15-20 minutes, depending on their thickness. Thicker straws may need up to 25 minutes in the oven. The straws are done when they are lightly golden and crispy.
Cooling and Storage
Allow the cheese straws to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then carefully transfer them to a wire rack or cooling rack to cool completely. Gluten-free cheese straws can be stored in an airtight container for a few days but may lose their crispness after a day. To restore crispness, reheat them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
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Storage and reheating instructions
It is important to allow your cheese straws to cool before serving. Depending on the recipe, you should leave them to cool for 5 to 10 minutes. You can then transfer them to a wire rack to cool further. Before serving, check that the cheese straws are crispy all the way through. If they are soft, return them to the oven for a few minutes to make them crispy.
Once cooled, store your cheese straws in an airtight container. They will keep for up to a week, although one source suggests they are best eaten within two days as they will lose their crispness after a day. You can also freeze cheese straws in a zipper-style bag for up to three months.
To reheat your cheese straws, place them in the oven at 350º F for 10 minutes to regain their crispiness.
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Nutritional information
Cheese straws are a popular snack, especially in the Southern United States, where they are often served at parties and gatherings. They are made with butter, flour, and cheese, and are typically twisted into long, thin shapes before baking. While traditional cheese straws contain gluten, there are many gluten-free alternatives available, allowing those with gluten intolerance or coeliac disease to enjoy this tasty treat.
Gluten-free cheese straws are made with gluten-free flour, such as gfJules Flour, and are often egg-free, soy-free, nut-free, and oat-free as well. Some recipes also offer vegan options, substituting vegan butter or coconut oil for dairy butter, and vegan cheese for dairy cheese.
The process of making gluten-free cheese straws is quite simple. First, the dry ingredients (gluten-free flour, seasoning, and sometimes xanthan gum) are mixed with butter, cheese, and water to form a dough. This dough is then rolled out, cut into strips, twisted, and baked until crispy.
The nutritional content of gluten-free cheese straws can vary depending on the specific ingredients and brands used. However, they are generally high in fat and calories due to the butter and cheese content. For example, the vegan cheese straws recipe from Plant Power Couple has 162 calories per serving, with 13 grams of fat.
While gluten-free cheese straws may not be considered a health food, they can be enjoyed as an occasional treat. They are best consumed fresh, as they tend to lose their crispiness over time due to moisture. To maintain crispness, they can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days or frozen for up to three months.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, cheese straws can be made gluten-free. There are several recipes available for gluten-free cheese straws, some of which are also vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, nut-free, and oat-free.
The ingredients you will need include gluten-free flour, butter or vegan butter, cheese or vegan cheese, water, and seasoning.
Bake the cheese straws at 350°F for 10-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the straws and the desired level of crispiness.
