Garlic Parmesan Sourdough Cheez-Its (Print Version)

Crispy crackers with rich garlic, Parmesan, sharp cheddar, and tangy sourdough character for snacks.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
03 - 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
04 - 1/3 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
05 - 1/2 cup sourdough discard, unfed
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Topping

10 - 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, finely grated
11 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
12 - Flaky sea salt for sprinkling

# Cooking Steps:

01 - In a food processor, pulse together flour, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, cold cubed butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
02 - Add sourdough discard to the food processor and pulse until the dough just comes together without overmixing.
03 - Transfer dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead gently with your hands until the texture becomes smooth and uniform.
04 - Shape dough into a rectangle, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes to develop texture and improve handling.
05 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
06 - Roll out chilled dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut dough into 1-inch squares using a pastry wheel or sharp knife.
07 - Arrange dough squares on prepared baking sheets with slight spacing between each. Pierce the center of each square once with a skewer or toothpick.
08 - In a small bowl, combine Parmesan cheese and garlic powder. Lightly brush each cracker with water, then sprinkle with the Parmesan-garlic mixture and flaky sea salt.
09 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through, until crackers turn golden brown and become crispy throughout.
10 - Remove crackers from oven and allow to cool completely on wire racks before serving or storing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses sourdough discard productively, reducing kitchen waste while adding complex tangy flavor
  • Ready in under 40 minutes with minimal hands-on effort
  • Customizable with herbs, spices, or different cheese combinations
  • Perfect for entertaining—elegant enough for charcuterie boards, casual enough for snacking
  • Stays crispy and fresh in an airtight container for up to 5 days
  • Kid-friendly and far more flavorful than anything you'll find at the store
02 -
  • Grate your own cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded—it melts better and has superior flavor
  • Cold butter is essential for flaky texture; if your kitchen is warm, chill the food processor bowl and blade beforehand
  • For extra-crispy crackers, bake a minute or two longer, watching carefully to avoid burning
  • Use a pastry wheel for clean, professional-looking edges and uniform squares
  • Don't skip the water brush before adding toppings—it helps the seasonings adhere
  • Let crackers cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack; they'll crisp up as they cool
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