These Air Fryer Homemade Cheez-Its are crispy, cheesy, and ridiculously easy — you only need 7 simple ingredients and an air fryer to make a whole batch of golden cheddar crackers that taste just like the boxed snack, only better. If you’ve ever wanted to make homemade cheese crackers from scratch without turning on the oven, this is the copycat Cheez-It recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
Cheez-Its are a huge deal in our house. Between my husband and my two teenagers, I genuinely cannot keep enough in stock. So I started making them at home — and once I figured out how well the air fryer crisps them up, the boxed version stopped showing up on the grocery list. These homemade cheddar crackers have the exact same satisfying crunch, with a sharper, fresher cheese flavor you only get from real grated cheddar.
They’re perfect for lunchboxes, road trips, charcuterie boards, or sitting at your desk munching through an afternoon slump. There is genuinely no wrong time to eat a homemade cheese cracker.
If you love easy air fryer snacks like this, you’ll also want to try my Air Fryer Ranch Pita Chips and these naturally sweet Air Fryer Banana Chips — two more go-to snacks that disappear fast around here.
Why You’ll Love These Homemade Cheez-Its
- Just 7 simple ingredients you probably already have
- Crispy like the real thing — same crunch, sharper cheddar flavor
- Kid-approved and adult-obsessed — everyone reaches for them
- Make-ahead friendly — the dough chills, so you can prep in advance
- Perfect for on-the-go snacking — lunchboxes, road trips, desk snacks
- No artificial anything — you control exactly what goes in
A Quick Bit of Cheez-It History
Before we get cooking, a fun fact: Cheez-Its were invented back in 1921 and were originally called Baked Rarebit. A rarebit is a hot cheese dish traditionally served over toasted bread — so the inventors essentially dried out their favorite cheesy dish so they could snack on it on the go. Smart move. Today they’re one of the most widely sold snacks in the United States, and now you can make your own homemade version in the air fryer.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Homemade Cheez-Its
Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need. The full measurements and printable recipe card with nutrition info are at the bottom of this post.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Grated sharp cheddar gives these crackers their bold, characteristic cheesy flavor. The sharper the cheese, the more pronounced the taste.
- All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the dough and gives the crackers their structure and snap.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and that signature flaky, crisp texture. Keep it cold.
- Garlic Powder: A little savory depth.
- Onion Powder: Rounds out the flavor.
- Salt: Boosts and balances the cheese and butter. Don’t skimp.
- Cold Water: Just enough to bring the dough together so it’s pliable and easy to roll.
How to Make Homemade Cheez-Its in the Air Fryer
Step 1: Make the cracker dough
In your food processor, pulse the cheddar cheese, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt together until combined. Slowly add the flour, then add the cold water one tablespoon at a time until a dough forms.
Step 2: Chill, then cut the crackers
Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces. Cover and refrigerate until firm, about 2 to 3 hours. Roll each piece out on a floured surface, trim the edges into a square, and cut into ½- to 1-inch squares. Sprinkle with salt, then use a toothpick to poke a hole in the center of each cracker — this keeps them from puffing up too much and gives you that authentic Cheez-It look.
Step 3: Air fry the cheddar crackers
Place the crackers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 370°F for 5–7 minutes, until golden.
Step 4: Cool and serve
Use tongs to remove the crackers from the basket and let them cool for a few minutes — they crisp up and harden as they dry.
Pro Tips for the Crispiest Homemade Cheese Crackers
- Use high-quality sharp cheddar. The sharper the cheese, the bolder the flavor in your finished crackers.
- Grate the cheese finely. Fine shreds blend into the dough more evenly and distribute the cheese flavor throughout.
- Keep everything cold. Cold butter and well-chilled dough prevent the butter from melting too soon, which is the secret to a crisp, snappy cracker.
- Roll evenly and thin. Aim for about 1/16 inch thick so every cracker bakes at the same rate.
- Poke the hole. It’s not just for looks — it helps them cook evenly and stops them from puffing.
- Use a pizza cutter for fast, uniform squares.
- Don’t overcook. Crackers go from golden to overdone quickly — pull them the moment they turn golden.
- Cool completely. They continue crisping as they cool, so resist the urge to judge them straight out of the basket.
Variations to Try
One of the best things about homemade Cheez-Its is how easy they are to customize:
- Smoky: A little smoked paprika adds a deep, savory note.
- Spicy Cheez-Its: Add ¼ teaspoon cayenne or a pinch of crushed red pepper to the dough.
- Everything Bagel Crackers: Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning on top before air frying.
- Ranch Cheddar Crackers: Swap the garlic and onion powder for a teaspoon of dry ranch seasoning mix.
- Extra-Sharp / White Cheddar: Use aged or white cheddar for a more grown-up flavor.
How to Store Homemade Cheez-Its
Let the crackers cool completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Cooling fully before sealing is key — any trapped warmth creates steam that softens them. If they ever lose their crunch, pop them back in the air fryer at 300°F for 2–3 minutes to re-crisp.
Oven Directions
No air fryer, or making a big batch? Form the dough as directed, then place the crackers on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 8–10 minutes, until golden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make Cheez-Its in an air fryer? Yes. The air fryer is excellent at getting these crackers crispy and evenly cooked with little to no added oil, giving you that signature crunch in just a few minutes.
What temperature should the air fryer be for homemade Cheez-Its? Set the air fryer to 370°F (177°C). This cooks the crackers through and turns them golden without burning the edges.
How long do homemade Cheez-Its take in the air fryer? About 5–7 minutes, though it varies by air fryer model and cracker thickness. Start checking around the 4-minute mark so they don’t overcook.
How do I keep the crackers from flying around in the air fryer? Lightweight crackers can lift in the fan’s airflow. Place an air fryer rack or metal trivet over them, or gently press them down after arranging them in the basket.
Can you stack the crackers in the air fryer? No — lay them in a single layer with a little space between each one so the hot air can circulate. Cook in batches if needed.
Do you need to flip them? It helps. Shake the basket or flip the crackers about halfway through so both sides crisp evenly.
Can I add different flavors? Absolutely. Garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, or even powdered ranch mix all work beautifully — see the Variations section above.
More Easy Air Fryer Snacks and Appetizers
If you’re building out your snack rotation, these reader favorites are all worth a spot on your list:
- Air Fryer Olive Cheese Bread — gooey, cheesy, and perfect for parties
- Air Fryer French Onion Cheese Bread — comfort food in cheese-bread form
- Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Bread Cheese — crispy outside, melty inside, one ingredient
- Air Fryer Fried Olives — salty, crunchy little flavor bombs
- Air Fryer Homemade BBQ Potato Chips — crunchy chips without the deep fryer
- Air Fryer Cinnamon Tortilla Chips — for when you want something sweet
- Air Fryer Oven Gold Ranch Potatoes — a crispy, ranch-seasoned side
- Air Fryer Cheesy Ranch Potatoes — loaded, rich, and crowd-pleasing
Share Your Creations! Are you on Facebook? Join our Air Fryer Recipes Group, where hundreds of thousands of air fryer enthusiasts share their photos — I love seeing what you make. On Instagram, tag me @forktospoon so I can admire your homemade Cheez-Its!
Air Fryer Homemade Cheez-Its
Description
Ingredients
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt, plus more for sprinkling
- 3 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- In a food processor, pulse the shredded cheddar cheese, cold butter, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt together until combined.
- Slowly add the flour, then add the cold water one tablespoon at a time until a dough forms.
- Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces. Cover and refrigerate until firm, about 2 to 3 hours.
- Roll each dough piece out on a floured surface. Trim the edges into a square, then cut into ½- to 1-inch squares. Sprinkle with salt and place in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Use a toothpick to poke a hole in the center of each cracker (this prevents them from puffing up too much).
- Air fry at 370°F for 5–7 minutes, using the air fryer setting, until golden. Remove with tongs and let cool completely — they crisp up as they dry.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Notes
- Keep it cold: Cold butter and well-chilled dough are the secret to crisp, snappy crackers.
- Roll thin and even (about 1/16 inch) so every cracker cooks at the same rate.
- Single layer only — don’t stack. Work in batches if needed and shake or flip halfway through.
- Oven method: Bake on a parchment-lined sheet at 400°F for 8–10 minutes.
- Storage: Cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week. Re-crisp at 300°F for 2–3 minutes if needed.
Nutrition
Share this recipe
We can’t wait to see what you’ve made! Mention @forktospoon or tag #forktospoon!
Laurie Fleming
Amazing.