During the quarantine, I missed my family and friends so much that I would send them care packages to cheer them up and tell them how much I loved them. And this cheese straw recipe was the perfect treat to include because it’s easy, cheap, and portable. But now that we’re back to parties and gatherings, these babies are still hands-down the most requested snack and appetizer. And I can’t blame them because they are oddly addicting. Imagine chatting with loved ones while nibbling on a classic Southern cheese straw. Oh yes, let the good times roll!
Are Cheese Straws Southern?
They absolutely are! Just because they were invented in England doesn’t mean they’re not also Southern. The South’s high heat and humidity can destroy cheese fast. So a good cheese straw recipe was mamaw’s way of making sure cheese didn’t go bad. And, of course, she ramped it up with some heat from cayenne for an incredibly delicious treat.
Recipe Ingredients
These Southern cheese straws may be small, but they are BIG in flavor. As you can see from this ingredient list:
How to Make Cheese Straws
Make the Dough
Prep – Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. Mix Dry Ingredients – In a food processor, add the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, paprika, thyme, garlic powder, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix until all are combined. Add Cheese and Butter – Add the shredded cheese and cubed butter to the food processor. Pulse for 15-20 seconds until it resembles coarse sand. Pulse – Pour in the water one tablespoon at a time. Then keep pulsing until it forms a soft dough.
Shape the Cheese Straws
Transfer – Place the dough onto the floured surface. Roll the Dough – Use a rolling pin to roll the dough to about ¼ inch thick. Then use a fork to run through some lines on the dough. Shape – Cut the dough into strips, and transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet on a single layer. Alternatively, you can use a piping bag and pipe it directly onto the baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges are golden brown. Take them out and let them cool first. Enjoy!
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
You’ll enjoy this recipe more often than you think, especially after seeing how convenient they are to make ahead. Oh yes! You can make the dough as instructed and then store the unbaked dough for a week in the fridge or a month in the freezer. On the other hand, baked cheese straws will stay fresh in an airtight container for a week (if they even last that long because they never do at mine!). Or you can freeze them for three months. There’s no need to reheat them, just let them thaw in the fridge and then bring them to room temperature. If they lose some of their crispness, just toast them in the oven for a few minutes.
What to Serve With Cheese Straws
Cheese straws are already great on their own. Or you can serve them with a glass of wine, cocktail, or beer. But if you want a full spread of snackable, you can also prepare the following to go with it.
Easy Deviled Eggs Fried Pickles Remoulade Sauce Bruschetta Beer Cheese Dip
More Easy Cheesy Recipes to Try
Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Broccoli Cheese Soup Chili Cheese Fries Pimento Cheese Cheese Ball Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Conclusion
Delectably addictive cheese in a straw shape instead of a cracker makes a fun appetizer and snack! Would you love to have more exciting appetizer recipes? Then follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram to find all my fave recipes! This blog post was originally published in September 2020 and has been updated with additional tips.
