Frederic Melton
Cheese snacks are a beloved staple for many, with their bold, cheesy flavour and light, airy texture. From crunchy Cheetos to stringy cheese sticks, cheese snacks come in various shapes and sizes, satisfying cravings for both children and adults alike. But how are these delicious treats made? This involves everything from the simple preparation of baked cheese crisps at home to the complex industrial processes that create the iconic Cheez Doodle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Cheez-It |
| Manufacturer | Kellanova |
| Size | 26 by 24 mm |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Ingredients | Wheat flour, vegetable oil, cheese, skim milk, salt, spices |
| Cheese Type | Sharp Cheddar |
| Other Ingredients | Butter, ground mustard, water, yogurt |
| Baking Time | 17-20 minutes |
| Baking Temperature | 350-375°F |
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History of Cheez-It crackers
The history of Cheez-It crackers began in 1907 when Weston Green founded the Green & Green Company in Dayton, Ohio. Green's company produced a variety of baked snack foods, including Dayton crackers, graham crackers, and gingersnaps. During World War I, they also made hardtack crackers for soldiers.
In the early 20th century, Green & Green created a new product—a flaky one-by-one-inch cheese cracker—which would go on to revolutionize snack time. On March 31, 1921, Green introduced this new cracker to the market, marketing it as a "'baked rarebit,' a reference to a dish of melted cheese over toast. The crackers were commonly called Cheez-Its, and on May 23, 1921, the first Cheez-It logo was submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
In the early 1930s, the Kansas City-based Sunshine Biscuits (then known as the Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company) acquired Green & Green. Sunshine Biscuits expanded the distribution and popularity of Cheez-It crackers across the country. In 1996, Keebler acquired Sunshine Biscuits, and in 2001, Kellogg's acquired Keebler, bringing Cheez-It crackers under its umbrella.
In late 2023, Kellogg's spun off its North American cereal division, and its snack food business, including Cheez-It, became part of the newly renamed Kellanova. In August 2024, Kellanova announced that Mars Inc. had entered into an agreement to acquire the Kellanova brand, including Cheez-It.
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Ingredients
Cheez-It crackers are made with wheat flour, vegetable oil, cheese, skim milk, salt, and spices. The cheese used is typically sharp cheddar, and the crackers are made with real cheese. The dough is made with butter, flour, ground mustard, salt, and water, and the crackers are baked until crispy. The holes in the crackers, called "docking holes," help release moisture and steam during baking, resulting in a crisp texture.
For homemade Cheez-It crackers, the ingredients are similar, with sharp cheddar cheese, butter, flour, salt, and water forming the base. Some recipes also call for plain yogurt, which adds moisture and protein to the dough, although it can impart a slightly tangy taste. It is recommended to use block cheese over pre-shredded cheese for better results.
The type of flour can also be varied, with white whole wheat flour providing added fiber and nutrition, or all-purpose flour being a more common option. However, whole wheat flour is not recommended as it can make the crackers dense. The butter used should be cold and unsalted, as cheese already contains salt.
Additional spices and seasonings can be added to the dough to create different flavors. Some suggestions include taco seasoning, all-purpose seasoning, or curry powder. Experimenting with different combinations of spices can lead to unique and tasty creations.
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Baking process
The baking process for cheese snacks varies depending on the type of snack being made.
For baked cheese crisps, the first step is to grate a block of hard cheese, such as parmesan or aged cheddar. Place piles of grated cheese on a parchment paper-lined tray, leaving space between the piles as they will spread during baking. You can also add herbs or spices at this stage for extra flavour. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 7 minutes, turning the tray once during cooking. The cheese crisps are ready when they are evenly golden brown. Allow them to cool for 5 minutes on the tray, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to cool completely. These snacks can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days at room temperature.
For homemade cheese crackers, a dough is made from cheese, flour, cornstarch, salt, butter, and water. After chilling the dough in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes, roll it out and cut it into squares. Poke a hole in the centre of each square to allow steam to escape during baking, a process known as "docking". The crackers are then baked for 16-20 minutes, depending on how crispy you want them. The longer they bake, the crispier they will be.
Cheetos-style cheese puffs are made by creating a buttery, flaky dough with flour and cornmeal. The dough is then rolled into logs and baked in the oven before being coated in cheese powder. The exact baking time for this type of cheese snack is not specified, but it is mentioned that the puffs should be baked until they are no longer shiny and just beginning to brown around the edges.
It is worth noting that the baking time may vary depending on the type of cheese used, with pre-shredded cheese and softer cheeses potentially requiring shorter baking times.
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Storage
Storing cheese correctly is important for preserving its quality and flavour. The same goes for homemade cheese snacks. Here are some tips for storing cheese and homemade cheese crackers:
Cheese Storage
Cheese is a living food and needs to breathe. The guiding principle of storing cheese is to prevent it from drying out while also allowing air and moisture to flow out. Different types of cheese require different storage methods. Harder cheeses like cheddar can be frozen for cooking purposes. If freezing, wrap the cheese in waxed paper or parchment, place it in an airtight container, and use within six months. Avoid using plastic wrap or cling film, as they can dry out the cheese too quickly and trap moisture, which can lead to mould formation. Instead, use duplex cheese paper or pre-folded pouches made from cheese paper, which is a layer of paper and a layer of perforated plastic fused together. Cheese domes and lidded glass containers are also good options.
Homemade Cheese Crackers Storage
Homemade cheese crackers, such as cheez-its, can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep for at least a week. For longer storage, put them in a freezer-safe container, and they can be frozen for a month or even longer. It is important to let the crackers cool completely before storing them.
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Variations
Cheez-Its, the popular cheese crackers, can be made in a variety of ways, with several ingredients that can be substituted or added to create different flavours and textures.
The base ingredients for homemade Cheez-Its are sharp cheddar cheese, butter, flour, and salt. Some recipes also call for ground mustard, water, and plain yoghurt. The type of cheese is important, and sharp cheddar is recommended, although mild cheddar can be used for a less intense flavour. Pre-shredded cheese is also an option but block cheese produces better results. Butter should be unsalted and at room temperature, and flour can be white whole wheat or all-purpose, although whole wheat flour will make the crackers denser. Plain yoghurt adds moisture and protein to the dough, but Greek yoghurt will add a tangy flavour.
There are several variations to the base recipe that can be made. For example, adding different spices such as taco seasoning, all-purpose seasoning, or curry powder can create unique flavours. The shape of the crackers can also be varied, and the dough can be cut into different shapes before baking. The size of the crackers can also be adjusted, although the classic Cheez-It is a small, 1-inch square cracker.
The baking time and temperature can also be adjusted to create a crispier or softer cracker. For a crispier cracker, bake the crackers for a longer time or at a higher temperature. The crackers should be baked until they are golden and crispy, and the browner they are, the crispier they will be. The classic Cheez-It cracker is thin and crispy, but a softer cracker can be made by reducing the baking time and temperature.
Cheez-Its can also be purchased in a variety of flavours and textures. The original flavour is baked with 100% real cheese, but there are also variations such as Cheez-It Duoz, Cheez-It Grooves, Cheez-It Snap'd, and Cheez-It Extra Cheesy, which offer different flavour and texture combinations.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese snacks are made from a variety of ingredients, including wheat flour, vegetable oil, cheese, skim milk, salt, and spices.
Homemade cheese snacks can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for at least a week. For longer storage, they can be frozen for a month or more.
Sharp cheddar cheese is a popular choice for making cheese snacks, but you can experiment with different types of cheese to find your preferred taste.
To make cheese snacks crispy, bake them for 17 to 20 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispness. The browner they are, the crispier they will be.
The hole in the middle of cheese snacks is called a "docking hole." It helps to vent the moisture and steam that builds up during baking, preventing air pockets from forming and resulting in flatter crackers.
