Air Fryer Cheez-Its

These Homemade Air Fryer Cheez Its are incredibly easy, cheesy, and crispy! You only need 7 simple ingredients and an air fryer to whip up a batch of these cheddar crackers.

Homemade Cheez-Its

These air fryer cheese crisps are amazing! With a few simple ingredients, you can make an entire batch to snack on!!

Cheez-Its are a huge snack in our house. Between my husband and my two teenagers, I can never keep enough in stock. This is one of the best homemade snacks, and when it’s done in the air fryer, it’s amazing. It provides the same crunch as the packaged version.

I wanted to make some go-to snacks that are excellent when you need something quick. Take them on long road trips or sit at your desk munching for an afternoon pick-me-up. There is no wrong time to enjoy these homemade cheese crackers.

If you are looking for even more Air Fryer Snack Recipes, some of my favorites are AIR FRYER OVEN GOLD RANCH POTATOES, AIR FRYER BANANA CHIPS, AIR FRYER RANCH PITA CHIPS, and AIR FRYER OLIVE CHEESE BREAD.

Why You’ll Love These Cheddar Crackers

• Only 7 ingredients
• Kids love them
• Adults love them
• Can be made ahead of time
• Great for on-the-go snacking

Cheez-Its History

While we are mostly talking about homemade Cheez-Its today, I wanted to touch base on their history a little bit. They were invented back in 1921. They were originally called a Baked Rarebit.

If you don’t know, a Rarebit is a hot cheese dish usually served over slices of toasted bread. So, apparently, the inventors of Cheez-Its really liked rarebit and thought of a way to dry it out so they could eat it while on the road!

The rest is history. Cheez-Its are one of the most widely sold snacks in the United States.

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Homemade Cheez-Its

Here are the simple ingredients you will need for making homemade cheese-it’s in the air fryer.

Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list below in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post and the nutritional information

• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Grated sharp cheddar gives the crackers their characteristic cheesy flavor and bold taste.
• Flour: All-purpose flour forms the base of the crackers, providing structure and substance.
• Unsalted Butter: Butter adds richness and flakiness to the crackers, enhancing their texture.
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Salt: A pinch of salt boosts the overall flavor profile of the crackers, balancing the cheese and butter.
• Water: Just enough water is used to bring the dough together, ensuring it’s pliable and easy to roll out.

How To Make Air Fryer Homemade Cheez-Its

Here are the step-by-step directions to make homemade cheez its in air fryer.

Step 1: Prepare the cheese crackers dough

In your food processor, pulse the cheddar cheese, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt together.

Slowly add the flour into the mixture, then add the water, tablespoon by tablespoon, until the dough forms.

Step 2: Cut the crackers

Divide the dough into 3 equal-sized pieces. Cover and place into the refrigerator until it firms up, about 2 to 3 hours.

Remove and flatten each dough ball on a floured surface. Cut the edges to form a square, then cut into 1/2 to 1-inch squares. Salt and place in the air fryer basket. Using a toothpick to punch a hole in the center (this will prevent them from puffing up too much)

Step 3: Air fry cheddar crackers

Air fry for 5-7 minutes at 370 degrees F, using the air fryer setting.

Step 4: Cool and serve

Use a pair of tongs to remove them from the air fryer basket. Let them cool for a few minutes — they will harden up as they dry.

Pro Tips Homemade Cheesits

Making homemade Cheez-Its can be a fun and rewarding kitchen project. Here are some professional tips to ensure your DIY crackers turn out crispy, flavorful, and addictively delicious:

• Choose the Right Cheese: Opt for a high-quality sharp cheddar for the best flavor. The sharper the cheese, the more pronounced the cheesy taste in your crackers.
• Grate Cheese Finely: Make sure to grate your cheese finely. This helps it blend more seamlessly into the dough and ensures even distribution of cheese flavor throughout the crackers.
• Keep Ingredients Cold: Use cold butter and chill the dough before rolling it out. This helps prevent the butter from melting into the flour too soon, which can affect the texture of your crackers.
• Roll Dough Evenly: Aim to roll the dough to an even thickness of about 1/16 inch. Evenly rolled dough ensures that all your crackers will bake at the same rate and have a consistent texture.
• Poke Holes: Just like the real Cheez-Its, poke a hole in the center of each cracker before baking. This isn’t just for looks; it helps the crackers bake more evenly and prevents them from puffing up too much.
• Use a Pizza Cutter: For quick and uniform squares, use a pizza cutter or a pastry wheel. This makes cutting the dough into neat squares much easier and faster.
• Season Properly: Don’t skimp on the salt. A light sprinkle of sea salt or kosher salt on top of the crackers before baking can really enhance the cheesy flavor and make them even more irresistible.
• Watch the Oven: Keep a close eye on the oven as the crackers can go from perfectly golden to overly browned in a matter of minutes. Remove them as soon as they start to get a nice golden color.
• Cool Completely: Allow the crackers to cool completely on the baking sheet after removing them from the oven. They will continue to crisp up as they cool.
• Storage: Store the cooled crackers in an airtight container to keep them crisp. They can last for several days if stored properly, although they’re often so delicious they might not make it that long!

FAQs

Can you make Cheez-Its in an air fryer? Yes, you can make Cheez-Its in an air fryer. The air fryer is excellent for getting the crackers crispy and evenly cooked without the need for a lot of oil.

What temperature should you set the air fryer to for Cheez-Its? Set the air fryer to 370°F (177°C). This temperature is ideal for cooking the crackers evenly without burning them.

How long does it take to cook homemade Cheez-Its in an air fryer? It usually takes about 5-7 minutes to cook homemade Cheez-Its in an air fryer. However, times can vary based on the air fryer model and the thickness of your crackers. It’s a good idea to start checking them around the 4-minute mark to ensure they don’t overcook.

How do you prevent homemade Cheez-Its from flying around in the air fryer? To prevent lightweight items like crackers from flying around due to the air fryer’s fan, you can place a metal trivet or an air fryer rack over the crackers, or just lightly press them down with a spatula after placing them in the basket.

Can you stack Cheez-Its in the air fryer? No, it’s best to lay them in a single layer with a little space between each cracker for even cooking. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Is it necessary to flip the Cheez-Its during cooking? It is beneficial to shake the basket or flip the crackers halfway through the cooking process to ensure they crisp up evenly on both sides.

How do you store air-fried Cheez-Its? Let the Cheez-Its cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. They can be stored at room temperature and typically last well for up to a week.

Can you add different flavors to air fryer Cheez-Its? Absolutely! You can sprinkle different seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or even powdered ranch dressing mix onto the dough before cooking to vary the flavors.

Homemade Cheez-Its Oven Directions: To make homemade cheese crackers in the oven, form the dough as directed on the recipe card. Then, place the prepared homemade Cheez-Its on a baking tray lined with parchment paper or sprayed with cooking spray. Place into a preheated oven for 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees F.

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• AIR FRYER GARLIC ROASTED FINGERLING POTATOES
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• AIR FRYER SPICY FRENCH FRIES

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