Rice Krispies Cheese Crisps Recipe
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This easy Cheese Crisps recipe, with Rice Krispies, makes savory cheesy bites perfect for holiday parties or tailgating.
As I was hunting down my Aunt Jill’s Cheese Straw recipe in one of my Aunt Carole’s cookbooks, I ran across this recipe for Cheese Crisps (also known as Easy Cheese Puffs) which my Aunt Carole had noted was my cousin Hal’s favorite. I couldn’t recall ever trying these Cheese Crisps, made with Rice Krispies, but knew I must have had them at some point at one of our many family gatherings, so Aunt Jill’s Cheese Straws had to wait a day to try this easy recipe out. Plus, I figured if it was a favorite of Hal’s, it was worth checking out.
Hal is my first cousin, sister to Beth, son of my Aunt Carole and Uncle Buddy. My Aunt Carole is my mother’s only sibling, and growing up my sister and I, spent many summer and holiday breaks with Beth and Hal. What was funny is that everyone always thought that my sister, Carole (named after my Aunt Carole) and Beth were sisters since they looked so much alike (dark hair, light eyes, long and lean), which left Hal and me as the obvious other set of siblings. We could totally pass as brother and sister, what with his year-round tanned looking skin, and my alabaster blinding paleness … yes we were total lookalikes. Yeah, not so much.
Anyway, I suppose we did have a lot in common back then. I was a tomboy. He was … a boy. So, we had that. If Hal felt like arm wrestling, well, I was his girl.
Although Hal and I don’t arm wrestle anymore, we did both grow up to have some things in common. For example, we both like to cook. He’s been known to make a mean batch of cookies and his pecan pies don’t last long, so when I saw that these Cheese Crisps were one of his faves I knew I could count on them to be good. And they are! They’re good AND easy too. Crunchy, cheesy, with a hint of spice, these will be snatched up and gone before you know it. Of course, you could always arm wrestle over the last one.
Rice Krispies Cheese Crisps Recipe
Rice Krispies Cheese Crisps Recipe
These easy cheesy bites are a great appetizer for parties.
Ingredients
- 2 sticks butter, softened
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups puffed rice cereal (like Rice Krispies)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325-degrees F. Line baking sheets with baking parchment or silicone lined baking mat.
- Combine all ingredients.* Form into small balls, approximately 1-inch in diameter. Placed on lined baking sheets about 1-inch apart. Flatten each ball slightly with a fork that has been dipped in water.
- Bake at 325-degrees F for 12-14 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Notes
I did not use an electric mixer and found it easy to combine all ingredients by mixing with my hands (clean hands).
Do these need any salt or does the cheese make them salty enough?
Personally, I think they are salty enough. You could certainly taste test and add more salt and more pepper if desired.
Are you using salted or unsalted butter?
cheese is plenty salty, so I use unsalted. I’ve done both, very little taste difference, if any.
Don’t let the salt police scare you off. A tiny sprinkle of sea salt on the top of each one before baking is a nice touch.
No salt required if you’re using salted butter. The cheese has enough salt to carry these as well.
Loved learning about your Uncle Hal, arm wrestling & a great new cheesy recipe! Time to head to the store for more Cabot cheese…
I LOVE this!!! So creative!
I love cheese crisps! It’s a Southern tradition here 😉
Yes it is! We have good traditions, don’t we?
How many does the recipe make? Thanks
About 4 dozen, give or take, depending on the size you make.
I love these! They are on my annual must make list, although I do mix them with my KitchenAid with the dough hook.
Great tip! I think I’ll try the dough hook with the next batch.
These sound so good, we’ll have to try them. Soon.
I think the Rice Krispies are an inspired way of achieving the unusual texture of cheese crisps – my mother is Canadian, and the crisps are a favorite with her family. I’ll be fixing some of these as a surprise for her. Thank you so much for posting this recipe!!
I hope she enjoys them!
Great item to make ahead and freeze. I’ll cook mine while frozen at 350 degrees for about thirty minutes, this will give you a more crisp cookie. (Electric Stove cooking time could vary with Gas)
I just whipped up a batch of these and threw in some garlic powder, chili powder, black pepper, and parsley flakes. YUMMO!
Great additions, Andrea! Garlic powder sounds perfect for these.
I have made several variations of this recipe over the years and they are always a hit. My mother used to make them at Christmas and she would make them really spicy with a half of a pecan pressed in the center.
I didn’t find using the dough hook helpful at all, but rather mixed the cheese, butter and flour in my Kitchen Aid using the paddle blade, then mixed in the rice krispies in by hand, careful not to smash the tiny kernels so that the crackers would be crispier.
Baked at 350 for 15 minutes.
Thank you for the tips, Virginia, especially the pecan one. That sounds perfect!
How long do these last?
I made 1/2 the recipe, turned out great (a little greasy, but good).
I stored them in an air-tight container and they seemed a bit soggy on the second day.
I’m thinking of reheating (maybe 10-15 minutes) to see if they crisp back up and get the fresh baked flavor back. What is your storage tip to prevent this?
Always use a good quality cheese. I found store brands tend to make them greasy.
I make something similar, but put Rice Krispies and Special K original. I mix with mixer. Add cereal all at once and turn off mixer as soon as cereal goes in. Then I mix by hand.
II I would like cheese crisp recipe. My mother used to make these
They were to crumbly going to try them with a little less flour next time
Can I make them and the freeze them?
I have never frozen these, so I’m not sure.
Can the cheese crisps be frozen? What is the best way to store them for gifting and for how long?
I have never frozen these so I am not sure.
I make these often but I flatten / real thin and crisp. My grandchildren love them
I add 1/2 cup of craisins to recipe
Yes, you can freeze them. I have frozen them for at least 6 months. I have a recipe where I melt the cheese and one I don’t melt the cheese.
Doesn’t make them soggy when they thaw? Great!
Do you freeze them before or after baking?
I freeze mine before baking. I place them on parchment and freeze then put them all in a Ziploc freezer bag and bake about 3 minutes longer (keeping an eye on them)