Cheese Straws

Over the years, I have eaten my weight in packaged cheese crackers—you know, the ones in the red box. I love their texture, saltiness, and strong cheesy flavor. Then I stumbled upon cheese straws and my snacking life changed forever.

I grew up in the South, the homeland of the cheese straw, but no one in my family made their own. I’d sometimes nibble on one at a friend’s house or, more commonly, a potluck, but I never tried to make them myself. Until now.

What Are Cheese Straws?

Cheese straws are squarely between a cheese cracker and a savory shortbread in a fun, straw-like shape. You’ll most commonly see cheese straws with a ribbed shape, but they’re sometimes made by twisting the dough. No matter how you shape them, they’re a fun snack that’s sure to disappear fast.

Homemade cheese straws just require a few ingredients and a quick mix, making them surprisingly easy to make while looking and tasting impressive.

The Many Shapes of Cheese Straws

Most store-bought cheese straws are formed using a cookie press fitted with a star disk. This creates uniform, thick straws with crunchy ribs. 

If you don’t own a cookie press, don’t worry. You have options. My favorite method for forming cheese straws is to roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and use a pastry cutter or pizza cutter to cut into thin strips. As you transfer the strips to the baking sheet, twist the dough for a playful shape.

Finally, you can divide the dough in half and create two logs that are 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Slice them into 1/4-inch coins using a sharp knife.

Why Self-Rising Flour?

I like to use self-rising flour for cheese straws because I always have it on hand. This is, I think, a Southern thing. My grandmother used self-rising flour for biscuits and self-rising cornmeal for cornbread, and I’m carrying on the tradition.

The added baking powder and salt give the straws a superior texture and flavor. The leavening means they won’t have an incredibly defined shape, but I think it’s a worthy trade-off. 

If you don’t have self-rising flour, simply substitute with all-purpose flour and add 2 teaspoons baking powder and an extra 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Easy Variations

• Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese is traditional, but a number of cheeses work well in this recipe. Try shredded gruyere, Monterey Jack, or even smoked gouda.
• Spices: Increase or decrease the spices to suit your tastes. This recipe is mild and cheese-forward, so amp up the cayenne if you like spice. I sometimes add a generous dusting of freshly ground black pepper to the mix.
• Flour: Swap up to half of the flour for whole wheat or white whole wheat flour for a heartier texture and slightly different flavor. You may need to add more water to the dough since whole wheat flour can be drier.

How to Serve Cheese Straws

Cheese straws are a fun snack for a party and will please adults and kids alike. Pile them up in a bowl or stand them up in cups for a fun presentation. They go especially well with wine.

While they need no accompaniment, you can serve them alongside a mild dip like a white bean dip or hummus or as part of a cheese board. They also make a nice gift—I sometimes add them to cookie boxes as a much-needed savory break.

More Crunchy Cheesy Snacks

• Prosciutto and Cheese Puff Pastry Wheels
• Golden Cheddar Cheese Crisps
• Arizona Cheese Crisp
• Air Fryer Cranberry Brie Canapes