Spicy Cheese Straws Recipe

Introduction

Spicy Cheese Straws are a delightful snack that combine sharp cheese with a kick of chili for a perfect balance of flavor and crunch. These crispy, golden strips are ideal for parties, afternoon tea, or simply as a savory treat anytime.

Ingredients

• 200 g plain white flour (all purpose flour)
• ¼ tsp English mustard powder
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 125 g salted butter
• 75 g Parmesan or vegetarian hard cheese alternative
• 1 red chilli, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp whole milk
• 1 medium free range egg, beaten
• Pinch salt and black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan / 390°F).
2. Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, English mustard powder, and freshly ground black pepper.
3. Step 3: Add the cold, cubed butter and rub it into the flour mixture until it resembles fine crumbs. Alternatively, pulse this mixture briefly in a food processor. The flour should take on a slightly yellow hue when combined.
4. Step 4: Stir in the finely grated cheese and chopped red chilli with a fork.
5. Step 5: Pour in the milk and use a knife to cut through the mixture until it begins to clump together.
6. Step 6: Gently knead the mixture until it forms a cohesive dough.
7. Step 7: Roll the dough out to roughly 28 cm (11 inches) square and about 3-4 mm (1/8 inch) thick. Trim the edges to achieve an even square shape.
8. Step 8: Cut the dough into long strips approximately 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) wide, using a ruler to guide your cuts.
9. Step 9: Place the strips on one or two nonstick baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart.
10. Step 10: Brush the straws lightly with the beaten egg.
11. Step 11: Sprinkle a pinch of salt and black pepper over the top.
12. Step 12: Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the straws are crisp and golden.
13. Step 13: Allow to cool on the baking trays. The cheese straws should be crisp, light, and sturdy enough to hold their shape when picked up.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or substitute the red chilli with finely chopped jalapeño.
• You can use a vegetarian hard cheese alternative to keep this recipe suitable for vegetarians.
• Make sure the butter is very cold to get a nice crumbly texture in the dough.
• These straws freeze well before baking—place uncooked strips on a tray and freeze before transferring to a bag.

Storage

Store the cooled cheese straws in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If they lose their crispness, reheat them in a hot oven for a few minutes to restore crunch.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough in a food processor?

Yes, pulsing the flour and butter in a food processor until it looks like fine breadcrumbs is a quick way to prepare the dough before adding the other ingredients.

How spicy are these cheese straws?

The level of spice depends on how much red chilli you use. For a mild version, reduce or omit the chilli. To increase heat, add more chopped chilli or a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Spicy Cheese Straws Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 121 reviews

These Spicy Cheese Straws are a delightful crispy snack combining the rich flavors of Parmesan cheese, a hint of English mustard, and a touch of red chilli for a gentle heat. Perfect as an appetizer or party snack, these cheese straws are baked to a golden crisp and have a wonderfully flaky texture.

• Author: Isabella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 30 cheese straws 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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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

Butter and Cheese

• 125 g salted butter (cold, cubed)
• 75 g Parmesan or vegetarian hard cheese alternative (finely grated)

Others

• 1 red chilli (finely chopped)
• 2 tbsp whole milk
• 1 medium free range egg (beaten, for brushing)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan / 390°F) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the cheese straws.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the plain flour, English mustard powder, and freshly ground black pepper to evenly distribute the spices throughout the flour.
3. Incorporate Butter: Add the cold, cubed salted butter into the flour mixture. Rub the butter into the flour with your fingers until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Alternatively, pulse in a food processor until incorporated and the mixture looks slightly yellow.
4. Add Cheese and Chilli: Stir in the finely grated Parmesan cheese and chopped red chilli evenly using a fork, blending the flavors into the crumb mixture.
5. Add Milk and Form Dough: Pour in the milk and use a butter knife or similar utensil to cut through and mix the dough until it starts to clump together.
6. Knead Dough: Lightly knead the dough by hand until it just comes together in a firm, cohesive ball without overworking it.
7. Roll Out Dough: Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface into a square approximately 28 cm (11 inches) wide and 3-4 mm (1/8 inch) thick. Trim edges to even it for uniform baking.
8. Cut into Strips: Using a ruler for precision, cut the dough square into long strips about 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) wide.
9. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the strips onto one or two nonstick baking sheets, leaving small gaps between each to allow for even baking.
10. Brush with Egg: Lightly brush the tops of the dough strips with the beaten egg to create a glossy, golden finish during baking.
11. Season: Sprinkle a small pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper over the straws for extra flavor.
12. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 10 minutes or until the straws are crisp and lightly golden.
13. Cool: Remove from the oven and leave the cheese straws to cool on the tray. They should be light, crisp, and sturdy enough to hold their shape when picked up from one end.

Notes

• Using cold, cubed butter ensures a flaky texture in the cheese straws.
• Adjust the amount of chilli to your heat preference or substitute with chilli flakes for a different texture.
• These can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container once fully cooled for up to 3 days.
• If you prefer a vegetarian version, ensure to use vegetarian hard cheese alternatives and check the mustard powder ingredients.
• Use a ruler to ensure evenly sized strips for consistent baking and presentation.

Keywords: Spicy Cheese Straws, cheese straws recipe, baked cheese straws, appetizer recipes, party snacks