Spicy Cheese Straws Recipe

Introduction

Spicy Cheese Straws are a delightful savory snack with a perfect balance of heat and cheesy flavor. Crispy, buttery, and easy to make, these straws are great for parties or as a tasty treat any time of day.

Ingredients

• 200 g plain white flour (all purpose flour)
• ¼ tsp English mustard powder
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 125 g salted butter
• 75 g Parmesan or vegetarian hard cheese alternative
• 1 red chilli, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp whole milk
• 1 medium free range egg, beaten
• Pinch of salt and black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan / 390°F).
2. Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, English mustard powder, and freshly ground black pepper.
3. Step 3: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Rub it together using your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Alternatively, pulse briefly in a food processor until the flour takes on a more yellow tone.
4. Step 4: Stir in the finely grated cheese and chopped red chilli using a fork.
5. Step 5: Pour in the milk and cut through the mixture with a knife until it begins to clump together.
6. Step 6: Knead the mixture gently until it forms a smooth dough.
7. Step 7: Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about a 28 cm (11 inch) square and 3-4 mm (about 1/8 inch) thick. Trim edges to make the square even.
8. Step 8: Cut the rolled dough into long strips approximately 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) wide. Using a ruler can help keep the strips even.
9. Step 9: Arrange the strips on one or two nonstick baking sheets, leaving small gaps between them.
10. Step 10: Lightly brush the tops of the dough strips with the beaten egg.
11. Step 11: Sprinkle a pinch of salt and black pepper over the strips for extra flavor.
12. Step 12: Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the straws are crisp and golden.
13. Step 13: Remove from the oven and leave to cool on the baking sheets. The straws should be light, crisp, and firm enough to hold their shape when picked up.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder version, reduce or omit the chilli and add a teaspoon of smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
• You can substitute Parmesan with any hard mature cheese you prefer, such as aged cheddar or a vegetarian alternative.
• Use chilled butter and avoid overworking the dough to keep the straws light and flaky.
• Sprinkle some sesame or poppy seeds on top before baking for extra texture and visual interest.

Storage

Store the cooled cheese straws in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To refresh their crispiness, warm them in a low oven (about 150°C / 300°F) for 5 minutes before serving. They do not freeze well as they may lose their crunch.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and keep it refrigerated, wrapped in cling film, for up to 24 hours before rolling and baking.

How do I adjust the heat level?

Adjust the amount of red chilli according to your taste. Removing the seeds will make the chilli milder, or you can omit it entirely for a cheese-only version.

Spicy Cheese Straws Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 75 reviews

Deliciously crisp and spicy cheese straws made with a buttery dough infused with Parmesan cheese and finely chopped red chilli. These savory snacks are perfect for serving at parties or enjoying with drinks, featuring a perfect balance of heat, sharpness, and a melt-in-the-mouth texture.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 cheese straws 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 200 g plain white flour (all purpose flour)
• ¼ tsp English mustard powder
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• Pinch salt and black pepper

Wet Ingredients

• 125 g salted butter, cold and cubed
• 75 g Parmesan cheese or vegetarian hard cheese alternative
• 1 red chilli, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp whole milk
• 1 medium free range egg, beaten (for brushing)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 200°C (180°C fan / 390°F) to get it ready for baking the cheese straws.
2. Combine dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, English mustard powder, and freshly ground black pepper to evenly distribute the spices.
3. Add butter and create crumb: Incorporate the cold, cubed salted butter into the flour mixture by rubbing together with your fingers until the mixture looks like fine crumbs and the flour has taken on a yellowish hue. Alternatively, pulse in a food processor.
4. Mix in cheese and chilli: Stir through the finely grated Parmesan cheese and the finely chopped red chilli using a fork to evenly distribute the flavors.
5. Add milk and form dough: Pour in the milk and use a knife to cut through the mixture until it just begins to clump together, then gently knead with your hands until a smooth dough forms.
6. Roll out the dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough into a roughly 28cm (11-inch) square about 3-4mm (1/8 inch) thick, trimming the edges to keep even sides.
7. Cut into strips: Using a ruler for accuracy, slice the dough square into long strips about 1.5cm (1/2 inch) wide to shape the cheese straws.
8. Arrange on baking sheets: Place the strips on one or two nonstick baking sheets with spacing between them to allow even baking.
9. Brush with egg wash: Lightly brush the tops of each straw with the beaten egg to promote browning and shine when baked.
10. Season: Sprinkle a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper on top of each cheese straw for an extra kick of seasoning.
11. Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese straws are crisp and golden brown.
12. Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let the cheese straws cool on the tray. They should be light, crisp, and sturdy enough to pick up without breaking.

Notes

• You can substitute Parmesan with a vegetarian hard cheese alternative if desired.
• Adjust the amount of chilli to suit your preferred heat level.
• Use cold butter for a flakier texture.
• Ensure dough is rolled evenly to bake uniformly.
• Store cooled cheese straws in an airtight container to maintain crispness.

Keywords: cheese straws, spicy snacks, Parmesan cheese, party appetizer, baked cheese straws