Spicy Sourdough Cheez-Its Jalapeño (Printable)

Crispy sourdough crackers with sharp cheddar, jalapeño, and smoked paprika for flavorful bites.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

→ Sourdough

03 - 1/2 cup sourdough discard (unfed starter)

→ Vegetables & Spices

04 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely minced
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional for topping
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Dry Ingredients

10 - 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

# How To Make It:

01 - In a mixing bowl, combine shredded cheddar, softened butter, and sourdough discard until just combined.
02 - Add minced jalapeño, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly.
03 - Gradually add flour and mix until a soft dough forms. If dough remains sticky, incorporate up to 2 additional tablespoons of flour.
04 - Flatten dough into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
05 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
06 - On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut dough into 1-inch squares and transfer to prepared baking sheet with slight spacing.
07 - Using a skewer or toothpick, poke a small hole in the center of each cracker.
08 - Lightly sprinkle tops with additional kosher salt.
09 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes until golden and crisp, rotating pan halfway through for even browning.
10 - Cool completely on a wire rack before transferring to an airtight container for storage.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They hit that crispy-cheesy-salty sweet spot that makes you reach for just one more, then three more.
  • Sourdough discard means zero waste and a complexity that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is.
  • The jalapeño and smoked paprika give them genuine heat and depth without tasting like a seasoning packet.
  • Ready in just over an hour from mixing bowl to cooling rack.
02 -
  • Don't skip the 30-minute chill—it sounds like busy-work but it's the difference between dough that rolls smoothly and dough that fights you.
  • Rotation halfway through baking is non-negotiable; oven heat is never completely even, and those neglected corners will still be soft if you don't turn the pan.
  • Cool them completely before storing or they trap steam and go soft; patience here pays off in crackers that stay crispy for days.
03 -
  • Roll between two pieces of parchment paper instead of flouring your work surface; you'll have less flour incorporation and cleaner crackers.
  • A pizza cutter makes cutting faster and more uniform than a knife, and the crackers bake more evenly as a result.
Go Back