Smokehouse Cheddar Cheese Straws
Smokehouse Cheddar Cheese Straws

If you haven’t picked up on it with my last few recipes (like these fries with CHEESE, this bruschetta with CHEESE, and this orzo with CHEESE), I am 100% back on the dairy-eating train. I had to give up all dairy (and soy) this summer after Juniper was diagnosed with a milk and soy protein intolerance (MSPI for short).

Many mothers have to stay away from dairy and soy the entire time they are nursing, but JuneBug outgrew her intolerance right around the six month markโ€”so welcome back, cheddar. I plan on writing about my experience with eating an MSPI diet in the future, but for now, I’m just reveling in the fact that cheese is back in my world. Oh cheese, I missed you so.

Smokehouse Cheddar Cheese Straws

Right now is the perfect time to jump back on the cheese wagon, because man, I just can’t imagine a good game day spread without cheese. I mean, I’m sure there is a way to make snacks for the big game without dairy, but I’ll stick to my beer-drinking, cheese-eating ways this Sunday, thankyouverymuch.

Smokehouse Cheddar Cheese Straws

If you’ve never had a cheese straw before, the best way to describe them is like a crunchy buttermilk biscuit. They’ve got that crumbly, rich texture to them that is crazy addictive. Cheese straws on their own are awesome, but when they are rolled in crushed up Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds? Incredible!

Smokehouse Cheddar Cheese Straws

Blue Diamond’s Smokehouse flavor is my absolute favorite out of all of their flavored snacking almonds. They are rich, savory, and hearty. And they pair perfectly with the sharp cheddar in these cheese straws. Put these cheese straws out for a game day snack this Sunday, and I promise they’ll be gone before the first quarter is even over.

Smokehouse Cheddar Cheese Straws

To give these straws their funky, craggy texture, I use my cookie press (or as I like to call it, my “cookie gun”). It has a star-shaped die with it that is perfect for crunchy cheese straws (this is the one I have). If you don’t have a cookie gun around, you can also make these straws by just rolling out the dough and then using a knife or a pizza cutter to cut into sticks. I’ve included directions for both methods in the recipe.

Enjoy!

 
Smokehouse Cheddar Cheese Straws

Smokehouse Cheddar Cheese Straws

Yield: 4 dozen straws
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

These savory cheddar cheese straws are made even tastier with a crunchy, smokehouse almond coating. Perfect for your game day snack spread!

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°.
  2. In the basin of a food processor, pulse together the cheese, butter, egg, and hot sauce until light and fluffy (it should look like cheese frosting!).
  3. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, dry mustard, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the food processor in two additions, pulsing to combine after each. Continue pulsing until the dough comes together and forms a ball.

If using a cookie press:

  1. Roll 1/4 of the dough into a log the size of the cookie press barrel. Fill the barrel with the dough, and fit the press with the straw die. Press the trigger to get out any air bubbles.
  2. Press long straws of the dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Sprinkle chopped almonds over top of straws (being careful not to spill too many on the cookie sheet—they will burn in the oven) and press lightly to stick.
  3. Using a sharp knife, cut the long straw into 6-inch pieces. Bake in preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the straws are golden brown. Let cool for 3-5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.

If rolling out the dough:

  1. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes. Remove one disc from the fridge, and roll out on a piece of parchment paper until 1/4" thick.
  2. Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut the dough into 1/2" x 6" pieces. Sprinkle the chopped almonds on top, and press lightly to stick.
  3. Transfer the parchment paper to a baking sheet, and bake in preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the straws are golden brown. Let cool for 3-5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.

Notes

  • For the best cheesy flavor and texture, make sure to shred your own extra sharp cheddar cheese. Pre-shredded cheeses have additives that help keep the cheese from sticking togetherโ€”great for keeping the cheese sprinkle-able, but not so great for cooking with.
  • Because of the high heat of the oven, any almonds not on the straws, but still on the baking sheet will probably burn in the oven. Make sure to try to remove as much of the excess chopped almonds as you can before baking. The best way I've found to do this is to shake the extra almonds off (like you're using glitter) after pressing the almonds into the straws. Just turn the baking sheet on a 45ยฐ angle, and gently shake so almonds fall to the bottom, then scoop them out. Or, just leave them on the sheet and let them burnโ€”they won't impact the taste of the straws (although the might smell up your kitchen!).

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 4 straws
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 126Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 233mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 7g

At Wholefully, we believe that good nutrition is about much more than just the numbers on the nutrition facts panel. Please use the above information as only a small part of what helps you decide what foods are nourishing for you.

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18 Comments

  1. These look yummy? Could you recommend a gluten free flour I could sub in this recipe? I’ve been G free for 18 months but I’ve only just started making my own GF snacks and breads. I’m making your super seed crackers tomorrow but I’d love to do these for Easter.

    1. I don’t do a lot of cooking with GF flours (and I know they can be trick to work with), so I don’t have any recommendations for you. But if you try it out and find one that works, let me know so I can pass it along!