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Oven-Baked Crispy Cheddar Sticks

There is something irresistible about a warm, crunchy cheese snack fresh from the oven. These Oven-Baked Crispy Cheddar Sticks are simple to prepare, wonderfully cheesy, and crisp around the edges without requiring deep frying. They make a great appetizer, afternoon snack, party food, or side dish for soups and salads.

Made with sharp cheddar, buttery dough, and a few simple seasonings, these cheese sticks bake into golden, savory bites with plenty of cheddar flavor. The best part is that they can be prepared ahead of time and baked whenever you need a quick homemade snack.

Why You’ll Love These Cheddar Sticks

These homemade cheese sticks are:

Crispy and golden on the outside
Packed with real cheddar flavor
Easy to prepare with everyday ingredients
Baked instead of deep-fried
Perfect for dipping into marinara, ranch, or a creamy cheese sauce
Great for parties, lunchboxes, movie nights, or casual snacking

For the best flavor, use a sharp cheddar cheese. It gives the sticks a stronger cheesy taste without needing a large amount of cheese.

Ingredients

For the Cheddar Sticks

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon paprika
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
1 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 large egg
3–4 tablespoons cold milk
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, optional

For the Topping

1 tablespoon melted butter
2 tablespoons finely shredded cheddar cheese
½ teaspoon dried parsley or Italian seasoning
A small pinch of paprika

Step-by-Step Method

1. Prepare the Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents the cheddar sticks from sticking and makes cleanup much easier.

For an especially crisp bottom, you can place the baking sheet in the oven while it preheats and carefully transfer the prepared sticks onto the hot surface later.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and paprika.

Whisk everything together until the seasonings are evenly distributed.

The garlic and paprika add a subtle savory flavor without overpowering the cheddar.

3. Cut in the Butter

Add the cold cubed butter to the flour mixture.

Using your fingertips or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

It is important not to completely melt the butter into the flour. Small pieces of cold butter help create a lighter, crispier texture as the sticks bake.