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Spicy Cheese Straws Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 508 reviews

These Spicy Cheese Straws are a crunchy and flavorful snack perfect for any occasion. Made from a buttery, cheesy dough with a kick of red chili, they bake to a crisp golden finish that offers an irresistible combination of spice and savory goodness. Easy to prepare and perfect for serving with drinks or as a party appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Dairy & Cheese

  • 125 g salted butter
  • 75 g Parmesan or vegetarian hard cheese alternative
  • 2 tbsp whole milk
  • 1 medium free range egg (beaten)

Vegetables & Spices

  • 1 red chilli (finely chopped)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 200C (180C fan / 390F). This ensures the oven is at the right temperature for even baking of the cheese straws.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, English mustard powder, and freshly ground black pepper until evenly combined to build the flavor base.
  3. Add Butter: Add the cold, cubed salted butter to the dry mixture. Rub the butter into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Alternatively, pulse in a food processor. The mixture should turn slightly yellow when well combined.
  4. Add Cheese and Chilli: Stir in the finely grated Parmesan or vegetarian hard cheese and the finely chopped red chilli using a fork to distribute evenly throughout the mixture.
  5. Add Milk: Pour in the whole milk and use a cutlery knife to cut through the mixture until it begins to clump together, helping form a dough.
  6. Knead Dough: Gently knead the dough in the bowl until it comes together smoothly without overworking it to ensure tender straws.
  7. Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into approximately a 28cm (11 inch) square, about 3-4mm (1/8 inch) thick. Trim edges to even out the shape.
  8. Cut Strips: Using a ruler or knife, cut the rolled dough into long strips about 1.5cm (1/2 inch) wide for uniform cheese straws.
  9. Prepare Baking Sheets: Place the strips on one or two nonstick baking sheets with some space between each to allow crisping.
  10. Brush with Egg: Lightly brush the surface of each strip with the beaten egg to enhance browning and shine during baking.
  11. Season: Sprinkle a pinch of salt and black pepper over the top of the strips to accentuate flavor.
  12. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes until the cheese straws are crisp, golden, and firm to the touch.
  13. Cool: Leave the cheese straws to cool on the baking tray; they will crisp up further and should be sturdy enough to hold their shape when picked up.

Notes

  • Use cold butter when rubbing into the flour to ensure a flaky texture.
  • Adjust the amount of chilli for spiciness to taste or omit if you prefer milder straws.
  • For vegetarian versions, ensure the cheese used is a vegetarian hard cheese alternative.
  • It is important not to overwork the dough to keep the pastry light and crisp.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container to maintain crispness for several days.
  • You can substitute whole milk with semi-skimmed or plant-based milk if preferred, but whole milk provides richer flavor.

Keywords: Spicy cheese straws, cheese snacks, savory pastry, party appetizers, baked snacks

Find it online: https://bitesizedbenny.com/spicy-cheese-straws-recipe-2/