Cheese Wafers
Cheese wafers are one of those classic Southern appetizers that disappear fast at every party. Crisp, buttery, and packed with sharp cheddar flavor, these old fashioned cheese wafers have just the right balance of savory heat and crunch.
If you’re looking for a reliable cheese crisp recipe that actually delivers bold flavor and perfect texture, this is the one to make. I’ve slightly adapted the Southern Living classic adding in more flavor. I first came across this recipe being called Cheese Dudes and it is my new favorite appetizer!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crisp, buttery Southern cheese wafers that actually hold their shape. This recipe uses the right balance of butter, flour, and Rice Krispies for wafers that bake up crisp without spreading too thin or turning crumbly.
- Bold cheddar flavor in every bite. Sharp cheddar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and cayenne work together so these cheese wafers taste savory and cheesy, not flat or boring like many versions.
- A make-ahead party appetizer that always disappears. These classic cheese wafers are perfect for holidays, potlucks and cocktail parties. The perfect bite to serve with wine or beer.
If you’ve tried cheese wafer recipes that were bland, greasy, or inconsistent, this one fixes all of that.
Ingredients for Cheese Wafers
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Butter
- All purpose flour
- Worcestershire sauce
- Granulated garlic
- Kosher salt
- Cayenne pepper
- Rice Krispies
How to Make Cheese Wafers
- Add Ingredients. Add all of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
- Mix the Dough. Using a dough or clean hands, mix until a soft dough ball forms.
- Shape the wafers. Scoop or roll 1 inch dough balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing slightly apart. Flatten with a large fork in a crisscross pattern.
- Bake. Bake until the edges are lightly golden and the wafers are set and crisp.
- Cool. Remove to a wire rack to cool.
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Serving: Serve warm from the oven or cooled – they will be more crisp but either way they are completely irresistible. A great addition to any charcuterie board or appetizer spread.
We loved these so much that I’ll probably double the recipe for our next party!
Make this Easy Appetizer
These cheese wafers are crisp, buttery and full of real cheddar flavor, exactly how a classic Southern cheese wafer should be. If you want an easy appetizer that everyone will love, this is the recipe to bookmark and make for every gathering.
If you try this crispy cheese wafers recipe, I’d love to hear how they turned out. Leave a comment and a rating below so others know this is the recipe worth making.
Cheese Wafers
Ingredients
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- ½ cup butter softened (salted or unsalted)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or more to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- Add shredded cheese, butter, Worcestershire sauce, flour, Rice Krispies, garlic, cayenne pepper and salt to a large mixing bowl.
- Mix together with clean hands or a wooden spoon until dough comes together into a ball.
- Scoop into one inch balls and place on a parchment lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container up to 1 week.
Notes
- Grate your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as smoothly and can affect texture.
- Uniform size matters. Keeping the wafers the same size helps them bake evenly and stay crisp.
- Serve warm for a chewy wafer or at room temperature for a crisp cracker.
- Storage: Store baked cheese wafers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze baked wafers and thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Make Ahead: The dough can also be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking, making this an easy appetizer to prep in advance.
Nutrition
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