Crunchy Cheese Wafers are buttery and crispy like cheese straws with the crunch supplied by Rice Krispies. These little morsels are totally addictive and make the perfect appetizer for any occasion. Bet you can’t eat just one!
Ingredients
You are likely to have most if not all of the ingredients required for these tasty morsels:
- The Dough: For the basic dough I used only unsalted butter and all-purpose flour. This makes the final wafers buttery and crispy.
- The Flavorings: To flavor the dough, I used salt, Worcestershire sauce and cayenne pepper.
- The Cheese: I like to use extra sharp Cheddar cheese in these wafers. It provides a depth of flavor that takes the cheese wafers over the top.
- The Crunch: As I previously indicated, I used Rice Krispies to provide the crunch.
Making the Dough for the Crunchy Cheese Wafers
I started by adding the butter, cheese, salt, Worcestershire sauce and cayenne pepper in a large bowl. Then, I beat the ingredients on high with my electric mixer until they were smooth and creamy.
Next, I added the flour to the butter/cheese mixture. I beat this in low just until the flour was incorporated.
Once the flour was incorporated into the butter/cheese mixture, I added the Rice Krispies.
I’ve consistently found that the best way to incorporate the Rice Krispies into the dough was to use my hands.
Finishing the Cheese Wafers
Once the dough was ready, I used my smallest ice cream scoop (2-teaspoon scoop) to partition the dough onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Once I had scooped the dough, I rolled each piece into a ball with my dampened hands.
Finally, I flattened each dough ball with my dampened fingers. I always flatten the dough to ensure that the cheese wafers are crispy throughout. The reason that I make sure that my fingers are dampened is that the dampened fingers won’t stick to the dough.
I popped the cheese wafers into a preheated 350°F oven and baked them for about 12 minutes. After 12 minutes, they were golden brown and perfectly baked.
I removed the cheese wafers from the oven and transferred them to a wire rack to cool completely.
I ended up with 11 dozen of the most amazing Crunchy Cheese Wafers. They were super buttery with a delicate crispy texture. One bite and the Master Taste Tester was totally hooked. You will be as well. Yum!
Chula’s Expert Tips
- I like to use extra sharp Cheddar cheese in making these wafers because of the depth of flavor. However, you could also use regular or sharp Cheddar cheese.
- I always use Kosher salt in recipes. However, you could also use regular table salt. However, you would need to reduce the amount of salt to 1/2 teaspoon.
- I always use dampened hands and fingers to form the dough for the cheese wafers. The reason is to prevent the dough from sticking to my hands.
Other Cheesy Appetizers
If you like cheese as much as I do, you should check out these recipes for other amazing appetizers featuring cheese.
- Southern Cheese Straws: Cheese Straws are a highly addictive southern classic. Crispy and buttery, Southern Cheese Straws are amazing when paired with a dry sherry, or just by themselves. It’s impossible to eat just one!
- Wonton Mac & Cheese Bites: Wonton Mac & Cheese Bites take the ultimate comfort food to new levels. They are the perfect appetizer for young and old. Three-cheese macaroni and cheese is packaged in a crispy wonton cup and topped with melted cheese and crumbled bacon. What’s even better is that they can be made ahead of time, frozen and reheated just in time to WOW your friends and family.
- Easy Cheesy Sausage Balls: Easy Cheesy Sausage Balls are a perfect appetizer. With only three ingredients, these little gems have it all. They’re super simple to make, taste incredible warm or at room temperature, freeze beautifully, and are just as good reheated. Who could ask for more?
- Tasty Southern Pimento Cheese: Tasty Southern Pimento Cheese will take you back to your childhood days in the South. It’s about as Southern as things come, and uses only 5 ingredients. Tasty Southern Pimento Cheese takes minutes to make, and is amazingly versatile.
- Marinated Cheese: Marinated Cheese is an appetizer that is sure to Wow your guests. It has alternating layers of sharp Cheddar cheese and cream cheese, topped with an incredible marinade. Marinated cheese is a snap to make, and is awesome to serve.
- Sausage ‘n Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms: Ifyou like sausage, cheese, and mushrooms, you will absolutely love these Sausage n’Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms. They can be made ahead of time and popped into the oven in time for your anytime gathering.
- White Queso Dip: White Queso Dip is like the queso cheese dip served at your favorite Mexican restaurant, only better. This super simple dip takes only minutes to make and and is amazingly versatile. You are going to love this super simple restaurant quality Mexican white sauce.
- Make Ahead Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Dip: For many, watching the Super Bowl is an excuse to devour this amazing Make Ahead Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Dip. It tastes like the ever-popular Buffalo Chicken Wings, but without the fuss and mess. This tangy and cheesy dip takes minutes to put together. It can be made ahead of time and heated to bubbly perfection right before big game.
- Bacon Jalapeño Popper Dip: Bacon Jalapeño Popper Dip is the perfect appetizer for the busy holiday season and ultimate holiday feast. It’s creamy and cheesy, and full of bacon and jalapeño peppers. Bacon Jalapeno Popper Dip is easy to put together, can be made ahead of time and will likely be the first appetizer to disappear.
- Fromage Fort: Fromage Fort, meaning “strong cheese” in French, is an easy and delicious cheese spread made with leftover cheeses that are in your refrigerator. It literally takes minutes to put together and produces an awesome appetizer that your guests will rave about.
- Wonton Jalapeño Popper Bites: If you like jalapeño poppers, you’ll absolutely love Wonton Jalapeño Popper Bites. The wonton wraps are stuffed with an amazing filling and baked to crispy perfection. They’re super easy to make, and can be eaten hot, warm, or cold. What’s even better is that they can be made ahead of time, and reheated for 5 minutes before serving.
If you liked this recipe for Crunchy Cheese Wafers, please consider rating it and leaving a comment. I’d love to know how you liked it!
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Ingredients
- 1 cup (8 ounces, 2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded extra sharp Cheddar cheese (See Tip 1)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¾ teaspoon Kosher salt (See Tip 2)
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cups (10 ounces) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (2 ounces) Rice Krispies
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Beat butter, cheese, salt, Worcestershire sauce and cayenne pepper in a large bowl with electric mixer on high speed until smooth and creamy. Add flour; beat on low just until incorporated.
- Add Rice Krispies; work with pastry blender or hands until well incorporated.
- Using a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon, drop dough onto parchment lined baking sheet, leaving 2-inches between wafers. Roll into balls with damp hands. Flatten with damp fingers. (See Tip 3)
- Bake in preheated 350°F oven for 12 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Store in air-tight container.
- Yield: 11 dozen Crunchy Cheese Wafers.
Chula's Expert Tips
- I like to use extra sharp Cheddar cheese in making these wafers because of the depth of flavor. However, you could also use regular or sharp Cheddar cheese.
- I always use Kosher salt in recipes. However, you could also use regular table salt. However, you would need to reduce the amount of salt to 1/2 teaspoon.
- I always use dampened hands and fingers to form the dough for the cheese wafers. The reason is to prevent the dough from sticking to my hands.
Hey Chula,
I just finished making these crackers and they are amazing! So crispy and easy to make and delicious too. Thank you for sharing this recipe. I know I will be making more soon!
So glad that you liked them Sharon!
Chula