Spicy Jalapeno Cheese Bites
These delightful Spicy Jalapeno Cheese Bites are the perfect finger food for your next gathering. Enveloping a buttery, crispy exterior, these crackers are infused with rich jalapeno jack cheese and a hint of spice from cayenne and red pepper. Each bite brings a delightful crunch with just the right kick, making them an irresistible pairing for your favorite glass of wine or craft beer. Simple to prepare yet impressive to serve, these spicy tidbits will be a standout at any dinner party or cocktail soirée.
N/A
Servings
8
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (measured)
ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon (measured)
salt
1/8 teaspoon (measured)
ground red pepper
1/8 teaspoon (measured)
butter
2 tablespoons (cold and cut into pieces)
jalapeno jack cheese
1/2 cup (shredded)
water
1-2 tablespoons (as needed)
paprika
1/2 teaspoon (optional, for sprinkling)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, ground cumin, salt, and ground red pepper. Mix well to ensure even distribution of the spices.
3
Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or your fingers, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4
Gently fold in the shredded jalapeno jack cheese, ensuring it's evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
5
Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of water over the mixture, stirring to combine. If the dough is still crumbly, add an additional tablespoon of water, mixing until the dough is moistened and holds together.
6
Transfer the dough onto a large piece of waxed paper or plastic wrap. Form it into a ball and then flatten it into a disk.
7
If the dough feels too soft to handle, wrap it in the paper or plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
8
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to approximately 1/8-inch thickness. Use a floured 2-inch cookie cutter to cut out the crackers, gathering and rerolling the dough as necessary.
9
Place the cut-out crackers on an ungreased cookie sheet, ensuring they're spaced about 1/2 inch apart.
10
Bake the crackers in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they are golden brown around the edges.
11
Once baked, transfer the crackers to a wire rack to cool completely. For an extra touch, lightly sprinkle with paprika before serving if desired.
Nutrition Information
0.5g
Fat
0.7g
Carbs
0.2g
Protein
0g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Spicy Jalapeno Cheese Bites?
They are savory, crispy homemade crackers made with jalapeno jack cheese and a blend of spices.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 8 ingredients: flour, cumin, salt, red pepper, butter, jalapeno jack cheese, water, and optional paprika.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
What type of cheese is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of shredded jalapeno jack cheese.
Should the butter be cold or softened?
The butter should be cold and cut into pieces before being incorporated into the flour.
How long do the cheese bites need to bake?
They should bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are golden brown.
What size cookie cutter is recommended?
A floured 2-inch cookie cutter is recommended for cutting out the crackers.
How thick should I roll the dough?
The dough should be rolled out to a thickness of approximately 1/8-inch.
Do I need to grease the cookie sheet?
No, the crackers should be placed on an ungreased cookie sheet.
What spices are mixed with the flour?
The flour is mixed with ground cumin, salt, and ground red pepper.
What is the calorie count per bite?
Each bite contains approximately 8 calories.
Are these bites spicy?
Yes, they have a kick from both the jalapeno jack cheese and the ground red pepper.
Can I adjust the spiciness?
Yes, you can modify the amount of ground red pepper to suit your heat preference.
How much water is needed to bind the dough?
Start with 1 tablespoon of water and add one more if the dough remains too crumbly.
When should the dough be refrigerated?
If the dough is too soft to handle after mixing, wrap it and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
How should I mix the butter into the flour?
Use a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
What type of flour is used?
The recipe specifies all-purpose flour.
What is the fat content per cracker?
There is 0.5g of fat in each serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a single bite?
Each bite contains 0.7g of carbohydrates.
How should the crackers be cooled?
Transfer the baked crackers to a wire rack to cool completely.
Can I use any shape for the crackers?
Yes, though a 2-inch round cutter is standard, any shape will work as long as the size is consistent.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
No, this is a savory snack and contains no sugar.
How much protein is in each bite?
Each cracker provides 0.2g of protein.
What is the purpose of the paprika?
Paprika is used as an optional garnish to sprinkle over the crackers before serving.
Are these suitable for a party?
Yes, they are described as the perfect finger food for dinner parties or cocktail soirées.
What beverage pairings are suggested?
They pair well with a glass of wine or a craft beer.
Can I reuse the dough scraps?
Yes, you can gather and reroll the dough scraps to cut out more crackers.
How far apart should I place them on the baking sheet?
Space the crackers about 1/2 inch apart on the cookie sheet.
Is there any fiber in this snack?
The nutritional information indicates 0g of fiber per serving.
How should the cheese be prepared?
The jalapeno jack cheese should be shredded before being folded into the dough.