Spicy Cheese Straws Recipe
These Spicy Cheese Straws are a perfectly crisp and flavorful snack with a kick of red chili and a cheesy Parmesan twist. Ideal for parties or as a savory nibble, they blend the sharpness of mustard powder and pepper with the richness of butter and cheese, baked to a golden, crunchy perfection.
- Author: luca
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cheese straws 1x
- Category: Snack / Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
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 Ingredients
- 125 g salted butter (cold, cubed)
- 2 tbsp whole milk
- 1 medium free range egg (beaten, for brushing)
Additional Ingredients
- 75 g Parmesan or vegetarian hard cheese alternative (finely grated)
- 1 red chilli (finely chopped)
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 200°C (180°C fan / 390°F) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the cheese straws.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, English mustard powder, and freshly ground black pepper to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Add Butter: Incorporate the cold, cubed salted butter by rubbing it into the flour mixture with your fingertips or pulsing briefly in a food processor. This should produce a fine crumbly texture, and the flour will take on a slightly yellow hue when combined well.
- Incorporate Cheese and Chilli: Add the finely grated Parmesan cheese and chopped red chilli to the mixture. Stir with a fork to distribute them evenly throughout the crumbly dough base.
- Add Milk and Form Dough: Pour in the milk and, using a butter knife, cut through the mixture until it begins to clump together. Gently knead the mixture by hand until it forms a smooth dough.
- Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into an approximately 28cm (11-inch) square, about 3-4mm (1/8 inch) thick. Trim the edges to create a neat square for even strips.
- Cut Strips: Using a ruler, cut the dough into long strips roughly 1.5cm (1/2 inch) wide each to ensure consistent baking.
- Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the strips on one or two nonstick baking trays, spacing them slightly apart to prevent sticking.
- Egg Wash: Lightly brush each strip with the beaten egg to give the cheese straws a beautiful golden glaze when baked.
- Season: Sprinkle a pinch of salt and black pepper over the top to enhance the flavors and add a bit of extra seasoning.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the straws become crisp and golden brown.
- Cool: Allow the cheese straws to cool on the baking tray. Once cooled, they should be light, crunchy, and sturdy enough to hold their shape when picked up.
Notes
- Use cold butter to achieve a flaky, crumbly texture in the dough; this is key for crispy straws.
- You can substitute Parmesan with a vegetarian hard cheese alternative to keep the recipe vegetarian-friendly.
- The red chilli adds heat; adjust the quantity or omit for a milder flavor.
- Be careful not to overwork the dough to prevent it from becoming tough.
- These cheese straws store well in an airtight container for up to 3 days, retaining their crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cheese straws (approx. 30g)
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Keywords: spicy cheese straws, cheese snacks, easy appetizers, Parmesan cheese straws, party snacks