Cheddar and Chive Cheese Straws with Cajun Spice
Baked cheese straws combining sharp cheddar, fresh chives, and a hint of Cajun spice for a savory Southern snack. This american southern-inspired snacks ready in about 38 minutes turns all-purpose flour, sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, chopped fresh chives into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
- 1 tsp cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4-5 tbsp cold water
- 1 egg yolk (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp milk (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a food processor, pulse 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup cold cubed unsalted butter, 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives, 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, and 1/2 tsp salt until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 3: Gradually add 4-5 tbsp cold water while pulsing until the dough forms a firm ball.
- Step 4: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and roll into a 12x8-inch rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into 1/2-inch wide strips.
- Step 5: Place the strips on the prepared baking sheet, slightly twisting each to form straws.
- Step 6: Whisk together 1 egg yolk and 1 tbsp milk, then brush the tops of the cheese straws with this egg wash.
- Step 7: Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Cool on a wire rack before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Cheddar and Chive Cheese Straws with Cajun Spice take to make?
Total time is about 38 minutes (20 min prep + 18 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cheddar and Chive Cheese Straws with Cajun Spice?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cheddar and Chive Cheese Straws with Cajun Spice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cheddar and Chive Cheese Straws with Cajun Spice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cheddar and Chive Cheese Straws with Cajun Spice?
American Southern snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
