Air Fryer Cheez-Its: A Quick, Crunchy Treat

Cheez-Its are a popular snack, but did you know you can make them at home in an air fryer? This article will introduce you to the world of homemade Cheez-Its, including the ingredients you'll need, the simple steps to make them, and some tips to ensure they turn out perfectly crispy and delicious. So, get ready to impress your family and friends with your very own batch of air-fried Cheez-Its!

Choosing the right cheese

The type of cheese you choose for your homemade Cheez-Its is crucial to achieving the signature bold and cheesy flavour. Here are some tips to help you select the best cheese for your air fryer Cheez-Its:

Opt for Sharp Cheddar

For the most authentic Cheez-It flavour, sharp cheddar cheese is the way to go. The sharpness of the cheddar will give your crackers a more intense and pronounced cheesy taste. The sharper the cheddar, the more your crackers will taste like the real deal.

Quality Matters

When it comes to cheese, quality makes a difference. Choose a high-quality sharp cheddar to ensure your crackers have the best flavour possible. Look for a cheese that is fresh and has a good balance of creaminess and sharpness.

Grate Your Own Cheese

Instead of buying pre-shredded cheese, buy a block of cheddar and grate it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese often has a coating on it that can affect how well it melts. Grating your own cheese ensures you get the freshest flavour and the best melting consistency.

Finely Grated Cheese

Make sure to grate your cheese finely. Finely grated cheese blends more easily into the dough, resulting in a more even distribution of cheese throughout your crackers. This helps to avoid clumps of cheese in your dough and ensures every bite is cheesy.

Experiment with Different Cheeses

While sharp cheddar is the classic choice, you can also experiment with different types of cheese to create unique flavour profiles. Some great options to try include Gouda, Fontina, Colby Jack, and Gruyere. You can even combine different cheeses, such as mixing Rosemary with Gouda or Monterey Jack with Cumin.

Add Some Seasonings

To take your cheese crackers to the next level, add some extra seasonings to your cheese. Mix in a teaspoon of your favourite seasonings, such as Cajun, taco seasoning, or even ranch dressing mix. This will give your crackers an extra flavour boost and make them even more irresistible.

Grating the cheese finely

When making Cheez-Its in an air fryer, it is essential to grate the cheese finely. Finely grated cheese ensures that it blends seamlessly into the dough, resulting in a consistent cheese flavour throughout the crackers. The key to achieving this is to use a high-quality sharp cheddar cheese and a good grater, grating the cheese slowly and carefully. Start by selecting a block of cheese and grate it yourself to ensure the freshest flavour.

Once you have finely grated your cheese, it's time to incorporate it into the dough. Measure out 8 ounces of your grated cheese and place it into a food processor. Add the remaining ingredients, such as butter, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt, and pulse the mixture a few times to combine the ingredients. Remember to use cold butter to help achieve the desired flaky texture.

After blending the cheese and other ingredients, slowly add the flour and water to form the dough. The dough should be pliable and easy to roll out. If it's too dry, add a little more water, a tablespoon at a time, until you achieve the right consistency. Once the dough is ready, divide it into three equal pieces and place them in the refrigerator to chill for about 2 to 3 hours. This chilling time will help the dough firm up and make it easier to handle when you're ready to roll it out and cut your crackers.

When the dough has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and prepare your work surface. Lightly flour the surface and place one piece of dough on it. Flatten the dough with a rolling pin, aiming for an even thickness of about 1/16 inch. If you prefer your crackers on the thinner side, you can go even thinner, as this will result in a crispier texture.

After rolling out the dough, it's time to cut your crackers. Use a knife or a pizza cutter to create neat squares. You can make them as small or large as you like, but keep in mind that the size will affect the baking time. Once you've cut your crackers, use a toothpick to poke a hole in the centre of each one to prevent them from puffing up.

Finally, place your crackers in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer with a little space between each cracker for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches. Air fry at 370°F (177°C) for 5-7 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to avoid overcooking. Once they are golden and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool. You can then enjoy your delicious, crispy, homemade Cheez-Its!

Keeping ingredients cold

Keeping your ingredients cold is an important step in making sure your food is safe to eat and can help to improve the texture of your final product. Here are some tips for keeping your ingredients cold when making Cheez-Its in an air fryer:

• Use cold butter: When making the dough for your Cheez-Its, use butter straight from the fridge. This will help to ensure that the butter doesn't melt into the flour too soon, which can affect the texture of your crackers.
• Chill the dough: After you've mixed and formed your dough, it's important to chill it in the fridge for 1-2 hours before rolling it out. This will help to keep the ingredients cold and make the dough easier to handle.
• Use ice water: When mixing your dough, add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together. This will help to keep the temperature of the dough down and will also add a little extra moisture to the mixture.
• Keep raw ingredients refrigerated: If you're not planning on using all of your ingredients at once, keep them refrigerated until you're ready to use them. This is especially important for ingredients like cheese and butter, which can spoil if left out at room temperature for too long.
• Use a cooler: If you're taking your ingredients camping or on a trip, invest in a good airtight cooler to keep your ingredients cold. Freeze some water bottles and use them as ice packs, placing them directly on top of or next to your ingredients. This will help to keep them cold for a longer period of time.

Rolling the dough evenly

To roll out the dough evenly, it is recommended to aim for a thickness of about 1/16 of an inch. This will ensure that all your crackers will bake at the same rate and have a consistent texture. The thinner the dough, the crispier the crackers will be.

To achieve an even thickness, start by lightly flouring your work surface. This will prevent the dough from sticking as you roll it out. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough, applying even pressure and working from the centre of the dough outwards. Rotate the dough occasionally as you roll to help maintain an even shape and thickness. If the dough is sticking to your rolling pin, you can dust it lightly with flour as well.

If you don't have a rolling pin, you can also use a straight-sided glass or a wine bottle to roll out the dough. Alternatively, you can place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and use a rolling pin or your hands to flatten it to the desired thickness.

Once you've rolled out the dough, use a knife, pizza cutter, or pastry wheel to cut it into uniform squares. Aim for a size between 1/2 inch and 1 inch. Remember to poke a hole in the centre of each cracker before baking to prevent them from puffing up too much.

Poking holes in the crackers

Poking a hole in the centre of each cracker is an important step in making Cheez-Its in an air fryer. This is because it prevents the crackers from puffing up too much during cooking. The hole helps the crackers to bake more evenly, ensuring that they emerge from the air fryer crispy and evenly cooked.

To make the hole, use a toothpick or a skewer to gently but firmly punch through the centre of each cracker. This step is done after the crackers have been cut into squares and placed in the air fryer basket, but before they are cooked.

It is important to note that the holes should be punched in the crackers after they have been chilled in the fridge for 1-2 hours. This chilling time helps the dough to firm up and become less sticky, making it easier to handle and punch holes in without distorting the shape of the crackers.

Additionally, the size of the hole can vary depending on the thickness of the dough and the desired level of crispiness. For a thinner, crispier cracker, a slightly larger hole may be punched in the centre. Conversely, for a thicker, softer cracker, a smaller hole may be preferred.

Finally, poking holes in the crackers is not only functional but also adds a decorative touch, giving the Cheez-Its a more authentic look. This technique is used in the production of many commercial crackers and biscuits, and helps to create a recognisable and consistent product.

Frequently asked questions