When I first heard about Rice Krispie cheddar crackers, I thought it sounded a bit odd – cereal in crackers? But after trying them once, I was completely hooked! These little golden bites combine the sharp taste of cheddar cheese with the satisfying crunch of Rice Krispies cereal, creating a snack that’s both familiar and surprisingly addictive. They’re way better than any store-bought crackers I’ve tried, and the best part is how simple they are to make at home.

Ingredients for Rice Krispie Cheddar Crackers

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups Rice Krispie cereal
1 cup butter, softened
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp cayenne pepper, plus more for sprinkling
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder

How to make Rice Krispie Cheddar Crackers

Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F. This gives you time to prepare the dough while the oven heats up.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and shredded cheddar cheese using an electric mixer or wooden spoon. Beat them together until they’re well combined and fluffy.
Add the flour, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, salt, and garlic powder to the butter and cheese mixture. Stir everything together slowly at first to prevent flour from flying everywhere.
Continue mixing until the ingredients start coming together into a cohesive dough. I find using my hands works better than a spoon at this point – just dive right in and knead it gently.
Once the dough is mostly formed, add the Rice Krispie cereal and mix it in carefully. You want to distribute the cereal evenly without crushing it too much.
Pinch off pieces of dough about the size of a large teaspoon and roll them into small balls between your palms.
Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each one since they’ll spread a little while baking.
Using a fork, gently flatten each ball of dough into a cracker shape. Press down carefully and then lift the fork straight up to avoid tearing the dough. Hold the cracker down with your finger if needed.
Sprinkle a tiny bit more cayenne pepper on top of each cracker for extra flavor and color.
Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until the crackers turn golden brown around the edges and look crispy. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes to prevent burning.
Let the crackers cool completely on the baking sheet before moving them. They’ll continue to crisp up as they cool down.

Ways to serve with Rice Krispie Cheddar Crackers

These crackers are fantastic on their own as a snack, but they really shine when paired with other foods. I love serving them alongside a cheese and charcuterie board – they add a nice homemade touch that guests always comment on. They work great with dips too, especially creamy ones like spinach artichoke dip or a simple cream cheese spread.

For parties, I’ll arrange them around a bowl of hummus or serve them with sliced apples and grapes for a sweet and savory combination. They’re also excellent crumbled over salads to add extra crunch and flavor, kind of like croutons but way more interesting.

Notes

Make sure your butter is properly softened before starting – cold butter won’t cream well with the cheese
Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor, but you can experiment with other hard cheeses like aged white cheddar or even gruyere
Don’t overmix once you add the Rice Krispies or they’ll get crushed and lose their crunch
The dough might seem a bit crumbly at first, but keep working it with your hands and it will come together
Watch the baking time carefully – these can go from golden to burnt pretty quickly
Store completely cooled crackers in an airtight container for up to one week
You can make the dough ahead of time and keep it wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking
If the dough gets too soft while working with it, chill it for 15 minutes in the refrigerator

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a different type of cereal instead of Rice Krispies?
While Rice Krispies work best because of their light, crispy texture, you could try other puffed cereals like Corn Pops or even crushed cornflakes. Just avoid anything too sweet or heavily coated, as it might throw off the savory flavor balance. The texture will be slightly different, but still tasty.

Why are my crackers falling apart when I try to flatten them?
This usually happens when the dough is too dry or cold. Make sure your butter was properly softened before mixing, and work the dough with your hands until it holds together well. If it’s still crumbly, you can add a tiny bit of water, just a teaspoon at a time, until it binds better.

How can I make these crackers less spicy?
Simply reduce the cayenne pepper to 1/2 teaspoon or leave it out entirely if you’re sensitive to heat. You can also skip the extra cayenne sprinkle on top. The Worcestershire sauce adds great flavor without heat, so keep that in for the best taste. You could even add a pinch of paprika for color without the spiciness.