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Spicy Cheese Straws Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 149 reviews

These Spicy Cheese Straws are a savory, crispy snack combining sharp cheddar or vegetarian hard cheese with a hint of heat from fresh red chili. Perfectly seasoned and baked to a golden finish, they make an excellent appetizer or party treat.

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

Wet and Dairy Ingredients

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

Other Ingredients

  • 1 red chilli, finely chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 200°C (180°C fan/390°F) to warm up while preparing the dough, ensuring a hot environment for crisp baking.
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, English mustard powder, and freshly ground black pepper to evenly distribute the spices.
  3. Add Butter: Add the cold, cubed salted butter to the flour mixture and rub it together with your fingers until the texture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Alternatively, pulse briefly in a food processor to achieve the same crumbly consistency, indicated by the flour turning slightly yellow.
  4. Mix Cheese and Chili: Stir in the finely grated Parmesan or vegetarian hard cheese along with the finely chopped red chili to the crumb mixture using a fork, integrating the flavors evenly.
  5. Add Milk and Form Dough: Pour in the whole milk and use a knife to cut through the mixture until it begins to clump together. Then, gently knead the dough just until it comes together, avoiding overworking.
  6. Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out into an approximately 28 cm (11 inch) square, aiming for a 3-4 mm (1/8 inch) thickness. Trim the edges to form a neat square.
  7. Cut Strips: Using a ruler for precision, cut the dough into long strips about 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) wide.
  8. Prepare for Baking: Arrange the strips on one or two nonstick baking sheets, spacing them slightly to prevent sticking.
  9. Brush with Egg Wash: Lightly brush the strips with the beaten egg to give them a glossy finish and help browning.
  10. Season: Sprinkle a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper over the strips to enhance their flavor.
  11. Bake: Place the trays in the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese straws are crisp and golden.
  12. Cool: Allow the cheese straws to cool on the baking trays. Once cooled, they should be light, crisp, and sturdy enough to hold their shape when held at one end.

Notes

  • Use cold butter to ensure a flaky texture in the pastry.
  • Adjust the amount of chili for desired spice level.
  • Vegetarian hard cheese alternatives can be used for a vegetarian option.
  • Store cheese straws in an airtight container to maintain crispness.
  • These cheese straws are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated briefly to restore crispness.

Keywords: spicy cheese straws, cheese snacks, baked cheese straws, party appetizers, vegetarian cheese straws, spicy pastry snacks

Find it online: https://www.cheftara.com/spicy-cheese-straws-recipe/