Description
These crispy cheddar cheese crisps topped with spicy jalapeño slices are a simple, flavorful snack perfect for cheese lovers and lovers of a little heat. Baked to a golden brown to achieve a crunchy texture, these cheese crisps make an excellent appetizer or party snack that’s quick to prepare and delivers bold flavors with minimal ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 jalapeño pepper
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and to ensure easy cleanup.
- Prepare Jalapeño: Wear gloves for safety, then seed the jalapeño pepper and slice it into thin rings. Removing seeds helps moderate the heat while keeping the flavor.
- Form Cheese Mounds: Using a measuring tablespoon, scoop out 16 even mounds of shredded cheddar cheese onto the prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten each mound with your fingers, keeping them about one inch apart to allow spreading while baking.
- Add Jalapeño Slices: Place one jalapeño slice in the center of each cheese mound to infuse spice into every crisp.
- Bake the Crisps: Bake the cheese and jalapeño mounds in the preheated oven until they turn a deep golden brown and become crispy, about 12 minutes. Monitor closely to avoid burning.
- Cool and Serve: Let the crisps cool and firm up on the baking sheet for 1 to 2 minutes. Then, carefully use a small spatula or cake server to lift each crisp and transfer them to a serving platter. Serve immediately for the best texture.
Notes
- Wearing gloves when handling jalapeños prevents skin irritation from the capsaicin oils.
- Adjust the number of jalapeño slices according to your spice tolerance.
- For a milder version, remove all seeds and membranes from the jalapeños before slicing.
- Use sharp cheddar for a bold flavor, but feel free to experiment with other types of cheese that melt well.
- Serve these crisps fresh for maximum crunch as they may lose crispness upon cooling.
