Chef John's Cheesy Crackers

Make your own cheese crackers at home and enjoy their fresh, satisfying crunch on salads, in soup, or just as a snack.

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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

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.

Chef John's Cheesy Crackers

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