Irresistible Keto Jalapeño Cheese Crisps: The Ultimate Low-Carb Snack You Need Now!

These baked jalapeño cheese crisps are a savory, low-carb snack that’s sure to satisfy your crunchy cravings. Made with sharp cheddar and topped with jalapeños, they are wonderfully flavorful. Perfect as a party appetizer, game day snack, or a simple treat, these crisps are incredibly easy to make with minimal ingredients.

Why You'll Love These Cheese Crisps

Low-Carb: These crisps are a fantastic low-carb snack that fits perfectly into a keto diet.
Gluten-Free: Enjoy a delicious, grain-free snack that everyone can enjoy.
Easy to Make: With just a few simple steps and minimal prep time (less than 5 minutes!), you can have these ready in no time.
Versatile: Enjoy them on their own or with your favorite dips like salsa, guacamole, sour cream, Greek yogurt dip, or cream cheese dip.
Customizable: Adjust the spice level by leaving the seeds in the jalapeños for extra heat or removing them for a milder flavor. You can also get creative with different cheese and topping combinations.

Ingredients You'll Need

For the basic recipe, you simply need one cup of shredded cheddar. I prefer sharp cheddar because it's so flavorful. I also like to add a jalapeño slice at the center of each crisp. The jalapeños add flavor and also look great!

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (freshly shredded cheese, not grated cheese, is recommended for the best results)
1-2 jalapeños, seeded and thinly sliced (wear gloves when handling jalapeños)

Optional additions:

Bacon bits: Sprinkle over the chips before baking for added crunch and flavor.
Spices: Garlic powder, paprika, or chili powder can add an extra kick.
Cheese variations: Swiss, Parmesan, Colby, provolone, or Havarti cheese

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare baking sheet: Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Prepare the jalapeños: Seed and slice the jalapeño into thin rings. Remember to wear gloves when handling jalapeños. For spicier crisps, leave the seeds in; for a milder version, remove them. For extra crispy jalapeño slices, bake them separately for 10-15 minutes at 400°F before adding them to the cheese.
Arrange the cheese: Using a measuring tablespoon, scoop the cheese onto the prepared baking sheet, forming 16 mounds. Keep them about an inch apart from each other. Gently flatten the cheese mounds with your fingers.
Add jalapeños: Place a slice of jalapeño in the middle of each cheese mound.
Bake the crisps: Bake the crisps until very browned, for about 12 minutes. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
Cool and serve: Allow them to firm up on the baking sheet for 1-2 minutes, then use a small spatula (such as a cheese slicer or a cake server) to remove them to a serving platter. Serve immediately.

Tips for Perfect Cheese Crisps

Use freshly shredded cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often contains cellulose, which can prevent the cheese from melting and crisping properly.
Don't overcrowd the baking sheet: Give the cheese mounds enough space so they can spread and crisp up evenly.
Watch the baking time: Baking time may vary depending on your oven. Keep a close eye on the crisps and remove them when they are golden brown and crispy.
Cool completely: Let the crisps cool completely on the baking sheet before removing them. This will allow them to crisp up further.
Make them thin: If your crisps aren't thin enough, they might not get as crispy. Also, avoid using too much cheese.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these cheese crisps as you would serve any other type of crisp or cracker.

As a party appetizer: Perfect for starting the evening with cocktails and snacks.
For game day: A great addition to your game day spread.
As a snack: Enjoy them on their own for a quick and satisfying snack.
With dips: They go well with salsa, guacamole, sour cream dip, Greek yogurt dip, or cream cheese dip.
As a topping: Crumble them over salads or soups for added flavor and crunch.

Storage Instructions

It's best to serve these crisps a short time after baking them, as they lose their crispiness quickly. Still, if you end up with leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. They are pretty good cold, but it's best to remove them from the fridge about an hour before you plan on enjoying them.

Variations

Bacon Jalapeño Cheese Crisps: Cook a bacon slice until crispy, then crumble it over the cheese mounds along with the jalapeño slices before baking.
Spicy Cheese Crisps: Add a pinch of chili powder or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese mixture for an extra kick.
Different Cheese Combinations: Experiment with different cheese combinations like Swiss and Parmesan, cheddar and mozzarella, or provolone and Havarti.
Garlic Parmesan Crisps: Mix garlic powder with parmesan cheese before baking.

Can I Use Other Cheeses?

Yes, you can experiment with different types of cheese. Parmesan works best and bakes fastest, but Swiss, provolone, and Havarti also work well. Consider using naturally aged cheeses, as they tend to be lower in lactose due to aging.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Can I Use Cheese Slices?

It is not recommended to use sliced cheddar. For even and crispy results, it's best to use shredded cheese.

Should I Add Flour?

No, there's no need to add any type of flour. The best thing about these crisps is their intense cheesy flavor. The flour will dilute that flavor and is unnecessary.

Keto Cheese Chips in an Air Fryer

To make keto cheese chips in an air fryer, spoon small piles of seasoned shredded cheese onto parchment paper. Air fry at 375°F for 3-5 minutes, keeping an eye on them to avoid burning.

Microwave Keto Cheese Chips

Yes, you can make keto cheese chips in a microwave. Place small piles of cheese on parchment paper and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes until bubbly.

Nutrition Information

Most recipes are low-carb and gluten-free, but some are not. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate. Please verify it independently. The carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners.

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

tags: #keto #jalapeno #cheese #crisps #recipe