Ina Garten’s Chipotle Cheddar Crackers Recipe
Ina Garten’s Chipotle Cheddar Crackers are a delightful savory snack featuring sharp aged Cheddar cheese with a smoky chipotle kick. These crackers are crispy on the outside and flavorful throughout, perfect for serving at parties or enjoying with your favorite dips. The homemade dough is simple to prepare and can be chilled or frozen for convenience, making it an ideal recipe for cheese lovers seeking a spicy twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-17 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 crackers 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Dough
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ½ pound aged Cheddar cheese (such as Grafton 2-year), grated
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon ground chipotle powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1½ tablespoons water
Topping
- Flaked sea salt, such as Maldon, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the unsalted butter, grated Cheddar, all-purpose flour, ground chipotle powder, and kosher salt. Add the water and mix on low speed until the ingredients begin to come together. Then increase to medium speed and beat for 30 seconds until the dough forms large clumps.
- Shape and chill the dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured cutting board and roll it into a log about 12 inches long and 1½ inches wide. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. The dough can be refrigerated for several days or frozen for up to four months for convenience.
- Preheat the oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Slice and arrange crackers: Remove the chilled dough log from the refrigerator. Using a 3- to 4-inch paring knife dipped in warm water (to prevent sticking), slice the dough into ½ inch thick rounds. Place the rounds about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle each round with flaked sea salt.
- Bake the crackers: Bake the crackers in the preheated oven for 15 to 17 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crisp.
- Cool and serve: Allow the crackers to cool on the baking sheets or transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Grate the Cheddar cheese using a box grater or a food processor fitted with the carrot grating disk to achieve fine shreds.
- To make slicing the dough easier and more precise, dip your knife in warm water before each cut.
- The dough can be made ahead and frozen for up to 4 months; just thaw before slicing and baking.
Keywords: chipotle cheddar crackers, Ina Garten crackers, homemade cheese crackers, spicy cheddar snack, baked crackers
