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Freshly baked Southern cheese straws served on a plate

Southern Cheese Straws

These crispy, cheesy treats are perfect for parties, game nights, or just enjoying with family and friends.Crisp, buttery Southern cheese straws with sharp cheddar and a gentle cayenne kick. A make-ahead snack for parties, holidays, and appetizer trays.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 30 cheese straws
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American, Southern
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dough Ingredients
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons cold water (as needed)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth. Add the shredded cheddar, flour, salt, paprika, cayenne, and garlic powder. Mix until the ingredients come together into a firm dough.
  2. If the dough seems too dry or crumbly, add cold water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until it forms a workable dough.
  3. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it, and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
Baking
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Roll the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut into thin strips, roughly 4 to 5 inches long.
  2. Arrange the strips on parchment lined baking sheets, leaving space between them.
  3. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the straws are crisp.
  4. Let the cheese straws cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Serve at room temperature. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container for 4–5 days. If the dough feels too crumbly, add cold water one teaspoon at a time. Chilling is included in the total time.