Cheese straws | A taste of heaven in a crispy, cheesy snack

Cheese straws are a traditional food of England and the Southern United States. They are eaten as an appetizer or snack. They are made as cut strips, or by using a cookie press, from dough made with butter, flour, salt, cheddar cheese and cayenne pepper. Variations use different types of cheese, spices and nuts.

General Region : South

Associated Region: Southern United States

Description : A savory biscuit-like snack made with flour, butter, salt, cheddar cheese, and cayenne pepper; sometimes the dough is extruded through a cookie press before being baked.

Cheese straws Ingredients

  • 375g/13oz plain flour
  • pinch salt
  • 225g/8oz butter, diced
  • 150g/5½oz mature cheddar, grated
  • 50g/1¾oz freshly grated parmesan (or a similar vegetarian hard cheese)
  • pinch English mustard powder
  • small pinch cayenne pepper
  • 2 free-range eggs, yolks only

Method to prepare Cheese straws

  • Sift the flour and a pinch of salt into a bowl. Using your fingertips, rub in the butter until all the lumps are gone and the texture is like fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the cheese, mustard powder, cayenne, and egg yolks. Add 4-5 tablespoons of cold water and mix to a firm dough.
  • Wrap in cling film or a reusable plastic bag and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5.
  • Line a baking sheet with baking paper. Roll out the dough to a square, roughly the thickness of a £2 coin. Cut the square in half, then cut each half into 1cm/½in strips.
  • Transfer carefully onto the lined baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, until crisp, then leave to cool on the tray.

What is a cheese straw made of?

Cheese straws are a traditional food of England and the Southern United States. They are eaten as an appetizer or snack. They are made as cut strips, or by using a cookie press, from dough made with butter, flour, salt, cheddar cheese and cayenne pepper. Variations use different types of cheese, spices and nuts

Do cheese straws contain eggs?

Ingredients: Wheat Flour (Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamine, Flour Treatment Agent: Alpha Amylase) Butter (Milk, Colour E160A (i)), Water, Cheddar Cheese (20.3%) (Milk), Salt, Mustard Powder. For Allergens, see ingredients in bold. May contain traces of nuts, eggs and sesame seeds.

What are 5 benefits of cheese Straws?

Cheese is a great source of calcium, fat, and protein. It also contains high amounts of vitamins A and B12, along with zinc, phosphorus, and riboflavin. According to U.S. Dairy, the overall nutritional profile of conventional, organic, and grass-fed dairy products is similar.

How much protein is in a cheese straws?

100g of Cheese Straws contains 20g of protein, which is about the same as 3.3 eggs, 0.7 chicken breasts, or 1.4 cups (389g) of black beans.

What do you eat with cheese straws?

Crisp and flaky cheese straws specked with fresh herbs make a delicious and fun hors d’oeuvre. These crisp and flaky cheese straws specked with fresh herbs and crushed red chili flakes make a wonderful hors d’oeuvre to go along with wine and cocktails, and they’re also delicious with a bowl of tomato or vegetable soup.

Does cheese burn fat?

Just like other dairy products, cheese too is rich in calcium and protein. Research suggests that when our bodies get adequate amounts of calcium, we tend to burn more fat. Also, with cheese being protein-rich, it accelerates your metabolism and reduces appetite, thereby helping you achieve weight loss.

Is it OK to eat cheese everyday?

If your diet, in general, is very low in saturated fats and sodium, having two to three ounces of cheese a day may be safe,” says Supan. “If you’re trying to eat healthy or have any heart concerns, I would try to stick to one ounce of high-quality cheese a day, or maybe even less than that a few times a week.