Cheddar Cheese Crisps (Skillet)
These simple frie cheese crisps (Crispy Cheddar Frico) made with just one ingredient: cheese. A great low carb snack which can be eaten plain, topped with ingredients nacho-style, or used as crackers with dip.
1½ cup sharp Cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
Heat an 8" non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add ¼ cup of the shredded Cheddar cheese, spreading it out slightly so it's almost an even thickness.
Cook the cheese until it is lightly browned on the bottom. Carefully turn the cheese crisp over and cook for another 15 seconds or until browned. Remove the cheese crisp to paper toweling to cool and let some of the grease be absorbed by the paper toweling.
Wipe the skillet with a paper towel and repeat with the remaining cheese.
Serve the fried cheese crisps immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature between layers of waxed paper for up to 3 days.
Makes 6 servings.
Cook's Notes:
- Experiment with different types of cheeses for a variety of flavours and textures in your crisps.
- Make sure to cook the cheese until it's browned and crispy, but be careful not to burn it.
- Try adding a sprinkle of smoked paprika or garlic powder for extra flavour in your cheese crisps.
- To add a little kick to your cheese crisps, try sprinkling some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper on top before cooking.
- For a twist, mix in some finely chopped herbs or spices into the cheese before cooking.
- If the cheese crisps aren't crisping up enough, try cooking them on a lower heat for longer to prevent burning.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Will this recipe work with other cheeses? Most cheeses with a high melt point will work such as halloumi, queso blanco, paneer, mozzarella, other cheddars and provolone.
- Can I use pre-shredded cheese? Pre-shredded cheese usually contains additives that prevent it from melting as nicely as freshly shredded cheese, so it's best to shred your own cheese for this recipe.
- Can I reheat the cheese crisps? Cheese crisps are best served immediately, but if needed, they can be briefly reheated in the oven to crisp them up again.
- Can I add seasoning or herbs to the cheese before cooking? You can sprinkle seasonings or herbs on top of the cheese before cooking to add extra flavour to the crisps.
Variations:
- Pepper Jelly: Add a dollop of sweet and spicy pepper jelly on top of these cheese crisps for a flavour explosion.
- Sliced Avocado: For a fresh and creamy addition, top these cheese crisps with sliced avocado. The buttery texture of the avocado will balance out the sharpness of the cheddar, creating a satisfying snack that's easy to assemble.
- Guacamole: Because who doesn't love cheesy chips with a dollop of creamy guac on top? It's like a fancy nachos upgrade.
- Bacon Bits: Everything is better with bacon, right? Sprinkle some bacon bits on top of your cheese crisps before they firm up for a salty, savoury twist.
- Jalapeños: Kick up the heat with some sliced jalapeños on top. The spicy kick will take your cheese crisps to the next level of flavour town. You can also use jalapeño cheddar cheese to save time.