Cheese coins are the perfect small crispy bite to serve at any holiday party, tailgate, or on any cheeseboard. Made with butter, cheddar cheese, rice krispie cereal, and spices - then baked to perfection. They have the perfect crunch thanks to rice krispie cereal and bursting with flavor.
Are there just recipes where you don't know where they came from but have always been around? I have had all kinds of different but similar recipes for a southern appetizer, cheese coins, for years. I have seen them at brunches, showers, or tailgates and they are 100% addicting!
A couple of Christmases ago there was a version in my Southern Living Christmas cookbook and I made them as a snack for the holidays and they were a huge hit!
They are the perfect small cheesy crunchy bite of goodness and if you know me, then that's my kinda jam! I served it with some pepper jelly and we all couldn't quit eating them. Kinda like sausage balls - you can't just eat one. You keep coming back for more and more.
Since then I have put my own twist on them and they continue to be a favorite. They are perfect for serving on any charcuterie board, at tailgates, wedding,s or baby showers, or honestly just as a delicious weekday snack.
Ingredients Needed
You just need a couple of staple pantry ingredients for this recipe.
- Butter
- Cheddar Cheese - I used medium cheddar bought in a block and shredded it finely myself. This is key! Do not buy pre-shredded bagged cheese. Buy the block and grate it on the second finest grater on a cheese grater similar to this one. It will yield the best flavor and result.
- Hot Sauce - adds a kick of flavor.
- Worcestershire Sauce - just a dash for a depth of flavor.
- Spices: Salt, Garlic Powder, Cayenne Pepper, Smoked Paprika, Dry Mustard, and White Pepper - all of these help make it taste so delicious and a little something extra other than just cheese flavor.
- Flour - I always use King Arthur flour for all my baking recipes.
- Rice Krispie Cereal
How to Make
- Preheat oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Make cheese mixture. Add the butter, cheddar cheese, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and all the spices in a food processor. Pulse several times until starting to come together then turn on and let blend until a thick cheese mixture and everything is smooth and blended.
- Add flour. Add in flour and pulse until combined and slightly crumbly.
- Add rice krispie cereal. Transfer dough to a large bowl and add in rice krispie cereal. Mix with a spatula or by hand until the cereal is combined throughout the cheese mixture.
- Roll out and bake. You have 2 options to bake. ONE: scoop out the cheese dough with a cookie scoop and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Gently roll each ball in your hands making sure the dough is tight together. Press down the tops with a fork in a crisscross pattern. TWO: place the dough on a piece of parchment paper and roughly shape it into a log. Roll the dough tightly into the paper in a log form bringing the dough tightly together. Roll the ends of the paper together and place in the fridge to chill for at least an hour. After chilled, remove and slice into ¼" thick slices (like slice-and-bake cookies) and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake. Place in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes
- Serve. Remove and serve warm or at room temperature on a platter by themselves or on a charcuterie board.
Different Ways to Prepare
I tested and tried 2 different ways to bake and prepare. Both are easy and great - it is just a total preference on your part which one you do.
Ball Shape
- Scoop out the cheese dough with a cookie scoop and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Gently roll each ball in your hands making sure the dough is tight together.
- Press down the tops with a fork in a crisscross pattern.
Slice and Bake Coins
- Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper and roughly shape it into a log.
- Roll the dough tightly into the paper in a log form bringing the dough tightly together. Roll the ends of the paper together and place in the fridge to chill for at least an hour.
- After chilled, remove and slice into ¼" thick slices (like slice-and-bake cookies) and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Both are great options and work great - I switch out each time I make them. If you are making ahead of time, the slice and bake method is a super easy way to have them on hand ready to go when you are ready to bake off and serve!
How to Serve
These are great to serve warm fresh out of the oven, at room temp, or even chilled. They are so versatile and great to freeze or make ahead of time (see instructions on how to do this below). Serve them alone as a crunchy cheesy snack, as a part of a cheese board for any party, alongside pepper jelly (the cheesy-salty-sweet-spicy combo is SO GOOD!), during the holidays as a snack, fun after-school treat, or really anything you want! It is such a fun app that everyone will eat by the handfuls!
Recipe
Crunchy Baked Rice Krispie Cheese Coins
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 28 balls/30 coins
Description
Cheese coins are the perfect small crispy bite to serve at any holiday party, tailgate, or on any cheeseboard. Made with butter, cheddar cheese, rice krispie cereal, and spices - then baked to perfection. They have the perfect crunch thanks to rice krispie cereal and bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
- ½ Cup Butter - room temperature
- 1 Cup Cheddar Cheese - buy the block and shred yourself
- ½ Teaspoon Hot Sauce
- ½ Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- ¼ Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- ¼ Teaspoon Dry Mustard
- ¼ Teaspoon White Pepper
- 1 Cup Flour
- 1 Cup Rice Krispie Cereal
Instructions
- Preheat oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Make cheese mixture. In a food processor, add the butter, cheddar cheese, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and all the spices. Pulse several times until starting to come together then turn on and let blend until a thick cheese mixture and everything is smooth and blended together.
- Add flour. Add in flour and pulse until combined and slightly crumbly.
- Add rice krispie cereal. Transfer dough to a large bowl and add in rice krispie cereal. Mix with a spatula or by hand until the cereal is combined throughout the cheese mixture.
- Roll out and bake. You have 2 options to bake. ONE: scoop out the cheese dough with a cookie scoop and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Gently roll each ball in your hands making sure the dough is tight together. Press down the tops with a fork in a crisscross pattern. TWO: place the dough on a piece of parchment paper and roughly shape it into a log. Roll the dough tightly into the paper in a log form bringing the dough tightly together. Roll the ends of the paper together and place in the fridge to chill for at least an hour. After chilled, remove and slice into ¼" thick slices (like slice-and-bake cookies) and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake. Place in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes
- Serve. Remove and serve warm or at room temperature on a platter or a charcuterie board.
Notes
- Keep covered airtight in the fridge for 4-5 days.
To Make Ahead and Freeze
- To Make Ahead: the slice and bake method is easiest if you are wanting to make it 1-2 days before baking and serving. Keep the dough rolled tightly in the parchment paper log/roll and keep stored in the fridge. Remove, slice, and bake when ready to serve.
- To Freeze: Make the recipe according to the directions. Cool completely. Once cooled, place in a freezer-safe ziptop bag (making sure to remove all the air), and store in the freezer for 6 months. Remove from the freezer and place in the fridge for 24 hours to thaw - serve chilled or at room temp.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 coin
- Calories: 74
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 75.6 mg
- Fat: 4.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 5.6 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 1.8 g
- Cholesterol: 13.4 mg
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