Our Best Cheese Straws, Bites, and Crackers

December 03, 2012
Photo: Oxmoor House
For a chic appetizer alternative, try cheese straws. We've got flavors ranging from olive-blue cheese to bacon-smoked paprika.
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Basic Cheese Straw Dough

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck
Basic Cheese Straw Dough Recipe
Start with this Basic Cheese Straw Dough then and let your imagination run wild with shapes and flavors.
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Parmesan-Basil-Cheddar Stars

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck
Parmesan-Basil-Cheddar Stars Recipe
Give cheddar cheese straws a facelift with these sweet, star-shaped "straws" that combine the savory Mediterranean flavors of parmesan and basil.

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Pecan-Rosemary-Cheddar Buttons

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck
Pecan-Rosemary-Cheddar Buttons Recipe
Nutty pecans and earthy rosemary combine to create a robust riff on the average cheddar cheese straw.
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Olive-Blue Moons

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck
Olive-Blue Moons Recipe
These cheddar crescents pack a salty punch from the Spanish olives but have a cooling finish from blue cheese.

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Pimento Cheese Squares

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck
Pimento Cheese Squares Recipe
A Southern staple, pimento cheese makes its debut in cheese straw, or rather, cheese square form. Serve them as an appetizer at your next Southern-inspired soiree.

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Bacon-Smoked Paprika-Cheddar Bars

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck
Bacon-Smoked Paprika-Cheddar Bars Recipe
Sharp cheddar cheese gets a warming welcome from the smokey flavors of bacon and paprika.
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Lemon-and-Black-Pepper Cheese Straws

Lemon-and-Black-Pepper Cheese Straws Recipe
Cheese straws have never been easier. Add parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and black pepper to frozen puff pastery for an instant elegant take on cheese straws.

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Cheddar-and-Black Sesame Cheese Straws

Photo: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Linda Hirst
Cheddar-and-Black Sesame Cheese Straws Recipe
Black sesame seeds give these cheddar cheese staws a bold look, while Dijan mustard gives them a bold taste.

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Spicy Cheddar "Long" Straws

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett
Spicy Cheddar "Long" Straws Recipe
These spicy straws will are an elegant addition to an appetizer table. Serve them in silver cups or on silver trays.
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Blue Cheese and Chive Straws

Photo: Sang An; Styling: Christina Wressel
Blue Cheese and Chive Straws Recipe
At only 47 calories per straw, these Blue Cheese and Chive Staws are an easy and slimming appetizer. Make up to two days ahead, and store in an airtight container at room temperature.

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Prosciutto-and-Manchego Cheese Straws

Hector Manuel Sanchez
Prosciutto-and-Manchego Cheese Straws Recipe

It’s not a party without cheese straws, and we made these extra special for the occasion with additions such as nutty Manchego cheese and salty prosciutto.

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Cheddar Cheese Straws

Photo: Lee Harrelson
Cheddar Cheese Straws Recipe

Savory and rich with just a bit of a peppery bite, cheese straws are great party snacks. They're especially easy to make and travel well.
 

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Jalapeño Cheese Straws

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Jalapeño Cheese Straws Recipe

We know: You've got a cheese straw recipe you can make with your eyes closed. But give this subtly spicy recipe (that impressed our Test Kitchen staff!) a try.

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Pimiento Cheese Crackers

Stacey Ballis
Pimiento Cheese Crackers Recipe

What if the pimiento cheese... WERE the cracker?

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Cheddar Cheese Snack Crackers

Photo: Oxmoor House
Cheddar Cheese Snack Crackers Recipe

Skip the store-bought version and create your own cheesy snack crackers for afternoon snacking. 

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