Air Fryer Cheez-Its: Homemade, Quick, And Easy

If you're craving something crunchy, air-fried homemade Cheez-Its are the perfect snack. They're easy to make, with most recipes requiring just a few simple ingredients, and they're a fun project to do with kids. Plus, they're healthier and tastier than store-bought crackers, and you can experiment with different seasonings and spices to find your favourite flavour.

Choosing the right cheese

When making homemade Cheez-Its in an air fryer, choosing the right cheese is essential for achieving the signature Cheez-It flavour and texture. Here are some tips and recommendations for selecting the best cheese for your air-fried Cheez-Its:

Cheese Type and Quality

For the classic Cheez-It flavour, cheddar cheese is the most commonly used variety. It is known for its sharp, tangy, and nutty flavour notes, which pair well with the other ingredients. Opt for a good-quality block of cheddar cheese and shred it yourself to ensure maximum freshness and meltability. Pre-shredded cheese may have coatings that can affect its melting properties.

Cheese Blends and Flavour Variations

While cheddar is the traditional choice, feel free to experiment with different cheese blends and flavour combinations to create unique Cheez-Its. Some recommended cheese varieties include:

• Gouda
• Fontina
• Colby Jack
• Gruyere
• Provolone
• Parmesan
• Asiago
• Romano

You can also try combining different cheeses with complementary spices, such as rosemary and gouda or Monterey Jack and cumin. Additionally, adding a teaspoon of your favourite seasoning blends, like Cajun, taco seasoning, or ranch, can take your crackers to the next level.

Cheese Quantity

Most recipes for air-fried Cheez-Its call for 8 ounces (about 226 grams) of shredded cheese as the base for the dough. This quantity ensures the right balance of cheese flavour and texture in the final product. Adjusting the cheese quantity significantly may affect the overall consistency and flavour of the crackers.

Remember, choosing the right cheese is just one aspect of making delicious homemade Cheez-Its. Combining it with the right proportions of butter, flour, spices, and other ingredients, as well as following the proper preparation and cooking techniques, will all contribute to the success of your air-fried Cheez-Its.

Grating the cheese finely

• Use a high-quality sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavour. The sharper the cheese, the more pronounced the cheesy taste in your crackers.
• Grate the cheese as finely as possible. This helps it blend seamlessly into the dough and ensures an even distribution of cheese flavour throughout the crackers. Finely grated cheese also melts better during cooking, creating a more uniform texture.
• If you're using block cheese, grate it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese often has anti-caking agents or starches added, which can affect the texture of your crackers. Grating your own cheese ensures you know exactly what's going into your crackers.
• Measure out 8 ounces of shredded cheese for the perfect proportion of cheese to other ingredients.
• If you're using a food processor to make the dough, add the grated cheese first and pulse it with the other ingredients (butter, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt) until well combined. Then slowly add the flour and water until a dough forms.
• Keep the cheese cold until you're ready to use it. Cold grated cheese will be easier to work with and will help the crackers maintain their shape during baking.
• Don't over-handle the cheese once it's grated. Try to work quickly and efficiently to minimise the amount of heat transferred to the cheese from your hands.
• If you have any leftover grated cheese, you can store it in an airtight container or sealed bag in the refrigerator for future use.

Keeping ingredients cold

When making homemade Cheez-Its in an air fryer, it's important to chill the dough before cutting and placing it in the air fryer. This step helps to ensure that the dough is easy to work with and prevents the crackers from puffing up too much during cooking. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for keeping the ingredients cold during the Cheez-Its preparation:

Chilling the Dough:

Cut the dough into three separate balls and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped dough balls in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours. This chilling time allows the dough to firm up, making it easier to roll out and cut into the desired shape. It also helps prevent the crackers from puffing up excessively during cooking.

Working with Butter:

When making the dough, it's important to start with cold butter and keep it chilled until you're ready to use it. If your butter has softened or is at room temperature, place it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to an hour to chill. You can also place it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to speed up the process. When adding butter to the dough, make sure it's still cold. This will help create a flakier texture in your crackers.

Using Cold Dairy:

If your Cheez-Its recipe includes dairy products like milk or cream, make sure they are cold before adding them to the dough. Cold dairy products will mix more easily into the dough and help create a smoother, more uniform texture. If you need to bring milk or cream to a colder temperature, place it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before using it. Alternatively, you can place it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to chill it quickly.

Keeping Eggs Chilled:

Eggs are another ingredient that should be kept cold when making Cheez-Its. Cold eggs will blend more easily into the dough and contribute to a lighter, fluffier texture in the baked crackers. Take the eggs straight from the refrigerator when you're ready to use them. If they have been left out at room temperature, place them in a bowl of cold water for a few minutes to chill them again.

Storing Cheez-Its:

Once your Cheez-Its are baked, it's important to store them properly to maintain freshness and crunchiness. Place the cooled crackers in an airtight container and store them in a cool, dry place. They should last for about a week at room temperature. For extended storage, consider placing the airtight container in the refrigerator, where they can last for up to 5 days.

Rolling the dough evenly

Once your dough is ready, it's time to roll it out! This step is crucial to ensure your Cheez-Its turn out evenly cooked and crispy. Here are some tips to help you roll the dough evenly:

• Aim for a consistent thickness: Try to roll the dough to an even thickness throughout. A good target thickness is 1/16 of an inch, but the key is to keep it consistent so that your crackers bake evenly.
• Use a rolling pin: A rolling pin will help you achieve a smooth, even dough sheet. If you don't have a rolling pin, you can use a straight-sided glass or bottle as a substitute.
• Lightly flour your work surface before placing the dough: This will prevent the dough from sticking and make it easier to roll out smoothly.
• Work in batches: Divide your dough into manageable portions. Roll out one portion at a time, keeping the rest of the dough covered and chilled until you're ready to work with it.
• Be gentle and patient: Take your time and apply gentle, even pressure when rolling. If the dough is sticking to your rolling pin, lightly flour the pin or use parchment paper between the dough and the pin.
• Use a ruler or measuring tape: To ensure your dough is rolled to the desired thickness, use a ruler or measuring tape to check the thickness as you work.
• Avoid overworking the dough: Overworking the dough can cause it to become tough and affect the texture of your crackers. Roll it out gently and avoid excessive handling.

By following these tips, you'll be able to roll out your dough evenly, ensuring your Cheez-Its cook evenly and have that perfect crispy texture.

Poking holes in the crackers

Poking a hole in the centre of each cracker is an important step in making homemade Cheez-Its in an air fryer. This is because the hole helps to prevent the crackers from puffing up too much as they cook. If you don't poke a hole in the crackers, they may puff up unevenly and become too thick or crispy.

To poke the holes, simply use a toothpick, skewer, or the tip of a knife. Gently press the toothpick or other tool into the centre of each cracker, applying just enough pressure to create a small hole. Be careful not to press too hard, as you don't want to tear or distort the shape of the crackers.

It is recommended to poke the holes after you have cut out the individual crackers and placed them in the air fryer basket. This ensures that you don't miss any crackers and that they are securely placed in the basket before poking.

The hole in the centre of each cracker also gives them a classic look, resembling the store-bought Cheez-Its that we all know and love. So, not only does poking holes help with the cooking process, but it also adds an authentic touch to your homemade snack.

Frequently asked questions