Ina Garten’s Zesty Chipotle Cheddar Crackers Recipe

Chipotle cheddar crackers unleash a fiery dance of spicy and sharp flavors that transform ordinary snacking into an extraordinary culinary adventure.

Sharp aged cheese mingles with smoky ground chipotle, creating a bold profile that tingles taste buds and awakens appetites.

Homemade crackers represent pure culinary creativity, letting you craft something far superior to store-bought versions.

Crisp and delicate, these crackers promise a sophisticated twist on traditional cheese snacks that will impress even discerning palates.

Elegant yet approachable, the recipe balances complex spices with rich dairy undertones that invite immediate satisfaction.

Crafting these crackers requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor, making them perfect for casual gatherings or sophisticated entertaining.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike will find joy in this straightforward yet impressive recipe: prepare to elevate your snack game.

New Flavor Ideas for Cheddar Crackers

• Smoky Gouda Cracker Remix: Replace cheddar with smoked Gouda cheese for a deeper, richer flavor profile. Add a pinch of smoked paprika to enhance the smoky undertones.
• Jalapeño Pepper Jack Crunch: Swap chipotle powder with fresh minced jalapeños and use pepper jack cheese. Sprinkle green onion bits into the dough for extra zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Crisp: Substitute half the cheddar with crumbled feta cheese. Mix in dried oregano, thyme, and a touch of garlic powder for a Mediterranean-inspired savory cracker.
• Blue Cheese Walnut Crisp: Incorporate crumbled blue cheese and finely chopped toasted walnuts into the dough. Reduce salt slightly to balance the strong blue cheese flavor.

Final Bite of Ina’s Cheesy Crackers

Gourmet crackers from Ina Garten’s kitchen promise culinary magic with minimal effort.

Chipotle-cheddar sophistication elevates simple snacking into an artisan experience.

Homemade crackers showcase personal creativity and precise technique.

Professional bakers and kitchen novices can master these elegant nibbles with confidence.

Crisp edges and rich cheese flavor create irresistible appetizer perfection.

Check out this recipe, share your cracker adventure with friends, and inspire fellow home chefs to craft their delicious masterpiece.

Why You’ll Love These Chipotle Cheddar Crackers

• Burst with Spicy-Cheesy Flavor: These crackers pack a powerful punch of sharp cheddar and smoky chipotle, creating an irresistible taste that dances on your tongue with each bite.
• Super Simple Slice-and-Bake Magic: Prepare the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator, then easily slice and bake whenever you're craving a quick, homemade snack that looks professionally made.
• Perfect Party Pleaser: Crackers that are elegant enough for sophisticated gatherings yet easy enough for casual snacking, making them a versatile treat for any occasion from cocktail parties to game nights.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Adjust the chipotle powder to control the heat level, allowing you to create a version that suits everyone's spice tolerance while maintaining that delicious cheesy crunch.

All the Ingredients for Cheddar Cracker Crunch

Main Ingredients:

• Butter: Rich, creamy base that helps create a tender cracker texture, best when unsalted and at room temperature.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that provides bold, tangy flavor, freshly grated for best melting and taste.

• Flour: Fundamental structure for the crackers, all-purpose flour works perfectly for consistent texture.
• Chipotle Powder: Smoky, spicy seasoning that adds deep, warm heat and complexity to the crackers.
• Kosher Salt: Essential for enhancing overall flavor, provides balanced seasoning throughout the cracker.

• Water: Helps bind the dough together, ensuring proper consistency and cohesion of ingredients.
• Flaked Sea Salt: Finishing touch that adds a delicate crunch and enhances the cracker's visual appeal.
• Plastic Wrap: Used for wrapping and chilling the dough, helps maintain shape and texture.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and ensures even baking of the crackers.

Baking Up Chipotle Cheddar Crackers

Step 1: Gather Delicious Ingredients

• Softened butter
• Grated Cheddar cheese
• All-purpose flour
• Chipotle powder
• Kosher salt
• Cool water

Mix all ingredients in an electric mixer with paddle attachment. Blend on low speed until ingredients start combining. Ramp up to medium speed and mix for 30 seconds until dough forms large clumpy clusters.

Step 2: Shape Flavor-Packed Dough

Transfer dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a smooth log approximately 12 inches long and 1½ inches wide. Tightly wrap the dough log in plastic wrap. Chill in refrigerator for minimum one hour. Pro tip: Dough can hang out in fridge for several days or freeze up to 4 months.

Step 3: Prepare Baking Station

Heat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Slice chilled dough into ½-inch thick rounds. Arrange rounds 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle each cracker with flaky sea salt for extra crunch.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide trays into preheated oven. Bake 15-17 minutes until crackers turn beautiful golden brown. Watch closely to prevent burning.

Step 5: Cool and Enjoy

Remove crackers from oven. Let cool completely on baking sheets or wire rack. Serve at room temperature for maximum flavor enjoyment.

Tips for Perfect Crisp and Heat

• Freeze Butter for Flakiness: Popping butter in the freezer for 10-15 minutes creates an ultra-cold texture that guarantees supremely flaky crackers with delicate, crisp layers.
• Master Cheese Grating Technique: Use the smallest holes on a box grater to create fine, powdery cheese shreds that melt seamlessly into the dough, distributing chipotle and cheddar flavors uniformly.
• Embrace Dough Chilling Time: Letting the dough rest in the refrigerator allows gluten to relax and butter to firm up, helping crackers maintain their shape and develop a rich, complex taste.
• Slice with Precision: Employ a sharp, thin knife and steady hand to cut uniform ½-inch rounds, ensuring each cracker bakes evenly and looks professionally made.
• Elevate with Salt Finish: Sprinkle high-quality flaked sea salt just before baking to intensify flavors, add delightful texture, and transform simple crackers into gourmet treats.

How to Store Cheddar Crackers Like a Pro

• Freeze: Preserve the zesty crackers' crunch by freezing them in a tightly sealed container or freezer bag. Lock in their crisp texture and spicy flavor for up to 3 months, ensuring a delightful snack is always within reach. Thaw at room temperature to revive their original crispness.
• Refrigerate: After cooling to room temperature, transfer the crackers to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to a week, maintaining their robust chipotle and cheddar flavors. These savory treats will stay fresh and ready for spontaneous snacking or unexpected guests.
• Counter Storage: Keep the crackers in a cool, dry place inside a sealed container for 2-3 days if you plan to enjoy them quickly. Shield them from humidity and direct sunlight to prevent softening and preserve their delightful crunch.

Ina Garten Chipotle Cheddar Crackers Recipe

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4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 20 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Chipotle Cheddar Crackers deliver a spicy, cheesy twist on classic homemade snacks. Sharp cheddar and smoky chipotle peppers combine for an irresistible appetizer that elevates your cheese board or party spread with bold, crumbly elegance.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 0.5 pound (225 grams) aged Cheddar, such as Grafton 2-year, grated
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (150 grams) all-purpose flour
• 0.25 pound (1 stick, 115 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature

Seasonings:

• 0.5 teaspoon (2.5 grams) ground chipotle powder
• Kosher salt
• Flaked sea salt, such as Maldon

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Instructions

1. Combine softened butter, finely grated Cheddar cheese, all-purpose flour, chipotle powder, and kosher salt in an electric mixer bowl fitted with a paddle attachment. Gradually introduce water and mix at low speed until ingredients begin to integrate.
2. Gradually increase mixer speed to medium, continuing to blend for approximately 30 seconds until the mixture forms cohesive, large dough clusters.
3. Transfer the dough onto a lightly dusted work surface. Carefully shape into an elongated log measuring 12 inches (30 centimeters) long and 1.5 inches (4 centimeters) in diameter.
4. Encase the dough log completely in plastic wrap, ensuring a tight seal. Refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes to allow proper chilling and flavor development. Optional: dough can be stored in refrigerator for several days or frozen up to 4 months.
5. Preheat conventional oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare two baking sheets by lining with parchment paper.
6. Remove chilled dough from refrigerator and slice into precise ½-inch (1.25 centimeters) thick rounds using a sharp knife.
7. Arrange cracker rounds strategically on prepared baking sheets, maintaining approximately 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) spacing between each piece. Delicately sprinkle flaked sea salt across the surface.
8. Bake in preheated oven for 15-17 minutes, monitoring until crackers achieve a uniform golden-brown coloration.
9. Remove from oven and allow crackers to cool directly on baking sheets or transfer to a wire cooling rack. Serve at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top to boost flavor and add an irresistible crunch that makes these crackers absolutely addictive.
• Slice chilled dough into precise ½-inch rounds using a sharp knife, guaranteeing uniform baking and gorgeous golden edges.
• Refrigerate the dough for a minimum of one hour, allowing it to firm up and become easier to handle and slice cleanly.
• Grate Cheddar cheese super fine to help it melt seamlessly into the dough, creating a rich, even cheesy taste throughout.
• Work with butter straight from the refrigerator, ensuring it’s cold but pliable enough to mix smoothly into the cracker dough for maximum flakiness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cracker (of 26 total crackers)
• Calories: 88
• Sodium: 55mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 19mg