Patrick Oconnell
Cheese and onion crisps are a beloved snack food, but how are they made? The process varies depending on whether you're making homemade crisps or mass-producing them for retail. This paragraph will introduce the topic by outlining the key steps and ingredients involved in making cheese and onion crisps, as well as providing a brief history of their invention.
How are cheese and onion crisps made?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flavour | Cheese and onion |
| Ingredients | Potato, cheese, onion, oil, salt, onion granules, parmesan, ranch seasoning |
| Preparation | Slicing, frying, baking, roasting |
| Time | 11-30 minutes |
| Equipment | Roasting tray, cookie sheet, oven |
| Origin | Tayto, Ireland, 1954 |
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What You'll Learn
- Tayto is credited with inventing cheese and onion crisps in 1954
- Before Tayto, crisps were unflavoured and came with a sachet of salt
- Ingredients: cheddar cheese, onion, ranch seasoning
- Preparation: arrange piles of cheese, press onion on top, bake
- Cooking time: 11-13 minutes, but varies based on onion slice thickness
Tayto is credited with inventing cheese and onion crisps in 1954
Tayto Crisps, a company based in the Republic of Ireland, is credited with inventing the world's first flavoured crisp in 1954. The company was founded by Joe 'Spud' Murphy, a local man from Dublin, and is known for its leading product, Tayto Crisps, for which it invented the first flavoured crisp production process. Before Tayto's innovation, crisps were unflavoured and came with a small sachet of salt for seasoning.
Tayto's first flavoured crisp was Cheese & Onion, which was developed in 1954, the same year the company was founded. The new flavour was a success both domestically and internationally, and within two years, the company had moved to larger premises. Tayto's success can be attributed to its innovative approach to adding seasoning directly to the crisps, rather than providing separate salt sachets. This differentiation from its competitors helped establish Tayto as a pioneer in the crisp industry.
The creation of the Cheese & Onion flavour was a collaborative effort within the company. Joe Murphy is often recognised as the inventor, but one of his early employees, Seamus Burke, played a crucial role in perfecting the flavour. Burke experimented with different ingredients, ultimately landing on the iconic cheese and onion combination that met his boss's approval.
Tayto's impact on the snack industry is undeniable, with companies worldwide seeking to buy the rights to their flavouring technique. The company's success and longevity are a testament to the impact of this innovation, and Tayto Crisps continue to be a cultural phenomenon in Ireland, with a dedicated theme park, "Tayto Park," opening in 2010.
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Before Tayto, crisps were unflavoured and came with a sachet of salt
Tayto's cheese and onion crisps were first developed in 1954 by Joe 'Spud' Murphy. Murphy's innovation marked the beginning of an explosion of crisp flavours, with varieties now ranging from bratwurst to spiced cola. Despite this, cheese and onion remains a classic, with one-third of Tayto's sales coming from this flavour.
The popularity of cheese and onion crisps can also be seen in the fact that they are the subject of a debate over which company, King or Tayto, can claim the title of making the best crisps. This debate reflects the strong preferences and brand loyalties that people have when it comes to their favourite crisp flavours.
While the creation of cheese and onion crisps marked a significant shift in the crisp market, some people still prefer the simplicity of plain salted crisps. In fact, ready-salted remains the UK's favourite crisp flavour. This preference for simplicity may also be reflected in the ongoing debate over which company invented certain flavours, with amateur archivists like Wayne Tomlinson collecting thousands of crisp packets to try and piece together the history of this beloved snack.
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Ingredients: cheddar cheese, onion, ranch seasoning
To make cheese and onion crisps with cheddar cheese, onion, and ranch seasoning, you'll need to prepare your ingredients, preheat your oven, and assemble and bake your crisps.
Ingredients
For this recipe, you'll need sweet onions, shredded cheddar cheese, and ranch seasoning. You can also add other seasonings like cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, thyme, oregano, or basil to enhance the flavor.
Preheat the Oven
Line a baking sheet or two with parchment paper and lightly grease it. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Assemble and Bake
Slice the onions into thin, even rounds or rings. If you want to make onion rings, separate the rings and set them aside. Create small piles of shredded cheddar cheese on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each pile. Place an onion round or ring on top of each cheese pile. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning evenly over each onion-topped cheese pile.
Bake in the oven for 11-20 minutes, keeping a close eye on them towards the end to prevent burning. They're ready when the cheese is melted and golden brown, and the onions are tender. Let the crisps cool for a few minutes before removing them from the baking sheet. Serve warm with ranch or marinara sauce for dipping.
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Preparation: arrange piles of cheese, press onion on top, bake
Cheesy onion crisps are a delicious, savoury, crunchy snack that combines the sweetness of thinly sliced onions with the rich, gooey goodness of cheese. They are incredibly easy to make and can be customised with different cheeses, spices, and dips. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing and baking your own cheese and onion crisps:
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets or cookie sheets with parchment paper and lightly grease the paper. This step is important as it will help the cheesy crisps slide off easily later. For the cheese, shredded cheddar is a popular choice, but you can also experiment with other hard cheeses like Parmesan. Portion out about 8 small piles of shredded cheese onto each prepared baking sheet, spacing them a few inches apart.
Next, slice your onions into very thin rounds, aiming for about 16 slices total. Sweet onions (yellow, white, or red) work well as their natural sugars help them caramelise. Place one onion round on top of each pile of cheese, gently pressing it down.
Seasoning
Sprinkle the cheese and onion piles with your desired seasoning. Ranch seasoning is a popular choice, but you can also use Cajun, Italian, or any spice blend you like. You can also add dried herbs like oregano or thyme, but avoid using fresh herbs as they may burn.
Baking
Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 11-13 minutes. Keep a close eye on your crisps towards the end of the baking time as they can burn quickly. They are ready when they are crispy and lightly browned.
Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the crisps cool for a few minutes. They will continue to crisp up as they cool. Finally, carefully remove the crisps from the sheets and serve warm. They go well with dips such as marinara sauce or ranch dressing. Enjoy your homemade cheese and onion crisps!
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Cooking time: 11-13 minutes, but varies based on onion slice thickness
To make cheese and onion crisps, you'll need to bake the ingredients in the oven for 11-13 minutes. However, do note that the cooking time may vary based on the thickness of your onion slices. It's important to keep a close eye on the crisps during the baking process, as they can burn very quickly.
To start, slice your onions into thin rounds. You can use a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife to get evenly thin slices. Then, prepare your baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone mat. This will prevent the crisps from sticking to the pan.
Next, create piles of shredded cheese on the prepared baking sheet. You can use cheddar or any other hard cheese of your choice. Place the onion slices directly on top of the cheese piles, pressing them down slightly. This method allows the cheese to bake around the onion, creating a delicious crisp.
Before placing the baking sheet in the oven, sprinkle your desired seasoning over the onion slices. Ranch seasoning is a popular choice, but you can also experiment with Cajun or Italian seasoning. Then, pop the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 11-13 minutes. Keep a close eye on the crisps, especially towards the end of the cooking time, to ensure they don't burn.
Once the crisps are nicely browned and crispy, remove them from the oven and let them cool for about 5-7 minutes. This cooling time will allow the cheese to harden and the crisps to become crispy. Finally, serve your homemade cheese and onion crisps with your favorite dip, such as marinara sauce or ranch dressing. Enjoy the fruits of your labor!
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Frequently asked questions
To make cheese and onion crisps at home, you will need thinly sliced potatoes, oil, shredded cheese, onion slices or onion powder, and seasoning. First, fry the potato slices in oil. Then, add the cheese, onion, and seasoning. Finally, bake in the oven until crispy.
Cheddar cheese is a popular choice for cheese and onion crisps, but other hard cheeses like parmesan can also be used.
Tayto, an Irish crisp brand, is credited with inventing the cheese and onion crisp flavour in 1954. Before this, crisps were unflavoured and came with a small bag of salt.
