Bacon Cheese Straws Recipe – quick homemade bacon and cheddar cheese crackers. These things fly off the plate at parties! They are super easy to make, and they taste fantastic! Flour, baking powder, cayenne, butter, cheese, bacon, and milk. Use your food processor, and the dough is ready in a minute! This recipe is the perfect party snack or homemade holiday gift.
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Pin This RecipeEasy Homemade Cheese Crackers
These Cheddar Bacon Crackers are crazy addictive! I took these to a party and they were gone in a flash. I mean, how could they not be good? Cheese and Bacon. Hello? YUM! I’ve made a version of this recipe in the past with Rice Krispies in the dough. I really think the bacon puts the cheese crackers over the top!
How to Make Bacon Cheese Straws
These crackers are super easy to make. In the bowl of a food processor pulse together flour, baking powder, cayenne, and unsalted butter until a crumbly dough forms. Add extra sharp cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and milk. Pulse just until dough forms. Scoop the cheese mixture onto parchment-lined baking sheets using a small cookie scoop. Flatten the dough in a criss-cross pattern with a floured fork and bake in a preheated oven until the edges are golden brown. Cool the crackers on wire racks and sprinkle with parsley before serving.
How to Shape Cheese Straws
Cheese straws come a delightful variety when it comes to their appearance. While some folks use a star tip and a pastry bag to pipe out their straws, others opt for a cookie press to create their unique shapes. You can shape the dough into a rectangle and use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the dough into thin strips. And then there are cheese straws like mine—circular with fork-scored patterns.
Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
- I made the cracker dough in my food processor. The dough came together in a minute.
- If you don’t have a food processor, you can mix the dough by hand in a large bowl or use a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium speed.
- I recommend using extra-sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor.
- For best results, do not use pre-shredded cheese. Use a box grater to grate the cheese straight off the block.
- The crackers have a little bit of cayenne pepper for a kick. I didn’t think they were spicy at all. Feel free to reduce or omit the red pepper if you are worried about the heat.
- You can use whole milk or heavy cream.
- Get creative with the herbs and spices in the cheese mixture:
- Worcestershire sauce
- dry mustard
- paprika
- chili powder
- rosemary
- thyme
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- black pepper
- One cup of chopped cooked bacon is approximately one pound of fresh bacon.
- Can I freeze Cheddar Bacon Crackers? Yes! Bake the crackers and cool to room temperature. Place the crackers in a freezer bag and freeze. Thaw when ready to serve.
- You can also freeze the uncooked cheese straws. Form the dough into your desired shape and place on a cookie sheet. Place in the freezer. Transfer the frozen pieces to a freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to four months.
- You can bake the cheese straws from frozen, adding a minute to two to the cooking time, or thaw overnight in the fridge and then bake as directed.
- You can also freeze the uncooked cheese straws. Form the dough into your desired shape and place on a cookie sheet. Place in the freezer. Transfer the frozen pieces to a freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to four months.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.
- The crackers will keep about a week.
What to Serve with Bacon Cheese Straws
This recipe made about five dozen crackers. Perfect party food! You can half the recipe or freeze any leftovers. I will definitely be making more of these yummy cheesy bacony crackers for Christmas and New Year’s Eve! Give these a try. I promise they will be a hit!
We eat these crackers as is. If you want to dip them in something, give our Copycat Outback Ranch Dip or Jalapeno Ranch Dip a try.
Here are a few more of our favorite party recipes from the blog that go great with these crackers:
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Bacon Cheese Straws
Equipment:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 cup butter cold and cubed
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cooked chopped bacon pieces
- ¼ cup milk
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375ºF. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together flour, baking powder, cayenne, and butter until a crumbly dough forms. Add cheese, bacon and milk. Pulse just until dough forms.
- Using a small cookie scoop (1 Tbsp), scoop dough onto parchment lined baking sheets. Flatten in a criss-cross pattern with a floured fork.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes.
Notes:
- I made the cracker dough in my food processor. The dough came together in a minute.
- If you don’t have a food processor, you can mix the dough by hand in a large bowl or use a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium speed.
- I recommend using extra-sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor.
- For best results, do not use pre-shredded cheese. Use a box grater to grate the cheese straight off the block.
- The crackers have a little bit of cayenne pepper for a kick. I didn’t think they were spicy at all. Feel free to reduce or omit the red pepper if you are worried about the heat.
- You can use whole milk or heavy cream.
- Get creative with the herbs and spices in the cheese mixture:
- Worcestershire sauce
- dry mustard
- paprika
- chili powder
- rosemary
- thyme
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- black pepper
- One cup of chopped cooked bacon is approximately one pound of fresh bacon.
- Can I freeze Cheddar Bacon Crackers? Yes! Bake the crackers and cool to room temperature. Place the crackers in a freezer bag and freeze. Thaw when ready to serve.
- You can also freeze the uncooked cheese straws. Form the dough into your desired shape and place on a cookie sheet. Place in the freezer. Transfer the frozen pieces to a freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to four months.
- You can bake the cheese straws from frozen, adding a minute to two to the cooking time, or thaw overnight in the fridge and then bake as directed.
- You can also freeze the uncooked cheese straws. Form the dough into your desired shape and place on a cookie sheet. Place in the freezer. Transfer the frozen pieces to a freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to four months.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.
- The crackers will keep about a week.
Steph
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I was wondering if you ever used the bag type bacon pieces when making these crackers? Are should I only use fresh cooked bacon? Thanks for your help and the recipe!
You can use precooked bacon pieces/bits. I wouldn’t use the fake bacon bits, but real precooked bacon bits is just fine. I use the bags from Costco and Sam’s all the time.
How much rice krispies would you add? That is what my mom used to do and now I don’t know what do without adding that element LOL.
Ladies and Gentlemen…..WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!
What a great treat with an adult beverage and a football game.
Thank you!!!
Can you omit the bacon? My husband loves them but without bacon. His mawmaw made them without
sure
Mine didn’t keep the fork crosses…….any thoughts on why?
Do these need to be refrigerated after you make them, or just stored in a ziploc bag or sealed container?
I just keep them in a ziplock bag. I don't refrigerate them.
How long would these keep for do you think if placed in a zip lock type bag (or something along those lines)?
I would say 5 days to a week. I've never had any last more than a few days around our house.
Are these made with salted or unsalted butter? I was going to bake them with salted butter, but just want to make sure.
Thanks!
Those look scrumptious Stephanie 🙂
Those look scrumptious Stephanie 🙂
These are freaking awesome!!! Spicy cheese straw crackers Only baked 1/2. The rest is in the freezer for later.
I adore all your game day eats! Another win…. I think I'd eat all 5 dozen if I made these!
I almost did! SO good!
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Did anyone ever make the dough, then freeze it for later use? Thanks in advance for your help.
I think you could freeze the dough and it would be fine
Do you think I could freeze these?
I think you could freeze them