Cheese Straws

Name: Cheese Straws
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 32 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1.5 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper; 1/4 tsp smoked paprika

Crispy, savory Southern baked snacks made with sharp cheddar, butter, and a touch of cayenne pepper.

32 minEasyServes 8180 cal/serving

AmericanAppetizerOvenVegetarianLow CarbHalal-friendlyKosher-styleNut-FreeEgg-FreeSoy-FreeShellfish-FreeSesame-FreePork-FreeAlcohol-FreeLow-SodiumCorn-Free

Ingredients

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1.5 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions

1

Preheat oven to 375F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2

In a bowl, beat 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter together until smooth.
3

Stir in 1.5 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1/4 tsp smoked paprika until a cohesive dough forms.
4

Transfer dough to a cookie press fitted with a star tip and press 3-inch strips onto parchment.
5

Bake for 10-12 minutes until light golden brown and firm, then cool completely on a wire rack.

Questions

Can I make Cheese Straws dairy-free?

Not cleanly. Here the dairy (2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened) is the backbone of the dish, and plant-based substitutes change both its texture and its flavor. If you need strictly dairy-free, start from the dairy-free appetizer collection instead.

Can I make Cheese Straws gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1.5 cups all-purpose flour. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Cheese Straws keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat uncovered in a 400 F oven (or an air fryer) for a few minutes to bring the crust back; the microwave softens it.

Can I halve or double Cheese Straws?

Yes. As written it serves 8. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, split it across two pans and rotate them halfway; one crowded pan bakes unevenly.

Serve it with

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