Chef John's Cheesy Crackers

Ingredients

• Servings: 3


• 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil


• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature


• 3/4 cup lightly packed shredded sharp cheddar cheese


• 1/3 cup lightly packed freshly shredded parmesan cheese


• 1/2 teaspoon paprika


• 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste


• 1/4 teaspoon salt


• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour


• 1 tablespoon cold water, or as needed

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Ready Time: 1 hr 20 mins



• line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly grease with vegetable oil.


• place butter into a mixing bowl; add cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt. mix together with the back of a spatula until thoroughly combined.


• mix flour into cheese mixture with a fork until crumbly. sprinkle in cold water, 1 or 2 drops at a time, and mix with spatula until it comes together in a dough that holds its shape when squeezed.


• transfer dough to a work surface and press into a thick, flattened disk. wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes.


• preheat oven to 375 degrees f (190 degrees c).


• roll dough out on a floured work surface to about 1/8-inch thick. use a pizza cutter to cut 1-inch wide strips from the dough. cut strips crosswise into rectangles about 1 1/2-inches long. use the back of a bamboo skewer to punch 5 small holes into each cracker. arrange crackers onto prepared baking sheet.


• bake in the preheated oven until crackers are browned and crisp, about 15 minutes. let stand about 3 minutes for crackers to cool and release from the foil. let cool completely before serving.