The Most Delicious Vintage Recipe With the Silliest Name

There’s no doubt about it, we Midwesterners love our cheese. Whether it’s sprinkled on a walking taco, used as a finishing touch on a tater tot hot dish, or deep-fried to form the most perfectly gooey, poppable bites—we can’t get enough.

And not only does it taste great, but when melted, its texture goes far beyond that of a simple topper. For example, you can bake cheese and pickles together for zingy crisps or combine it with an egg to make a cheesy waffle that’s perfect for when the midnight cravings hit.

Recently, we spotted a unique Cheddar-based cracker recipe on Instagram, and we didn’t waste any time whipping up our own batch of this easy, cheesy snack.

What Are Cheese Dudes?

Earlier this year, @thechefandwife shared an Instagram reel featuring Cheese Dudes, a simple homemade cracker packed with Cheddar goodness. The video begins with a block of Cheddar being shredded on a box grater. After the cheese is placed into a bowl, it’s mashed with softened butter and flour. Next, the video hosts add seasoning to the mixture. If you think this sounds like the base for homemade Cheez-Its, you’re not wrong. However, it’s the final addition that might surprise you: crispy rice cereal.

A large portion of the cereal is added to the bowl and folded into the butter and cheese until well combined. The mixture is then separated and formed into multiple logs, sliced into thick rounds, and placed in the oven until golden brown. We can see this recipe being used as buns for mini hamburger bites, dunked into a bowl of creamy chicken, bacon, and ranch dip, or even enjoyed on its own as a flavorful snack. 

On TikTok, hundreds of users quickly filled the comments section with curiosity about the cereal-filled crackers. “I’ve never been so confused and intrigued by a recipe at the same time. I’m gonna have to try these,” said one person.

“I’m equal parts terrified and fascinated. It’s the Rice Krispies,” another added.

“These are genius. I think I’m making them for football this weekend,” wrote one more. In addition, a few also mentioned that the recipe was reminiscent of Cheese Straws, which are similar, but cut into short strips.

How To Make Cheese Dudes

We couldn’t let such a simple, cheese-filled viral recipe pass us by without trying it for ourselves. Allrecipes’ Nicole McLaughlin whipped up a batch of our Cheese Crackers to serve as the base. The recipe slightly differs from the one featured in the video, but still keeps the heart of the dough, which is cheese, butter, and, of course, Rice Krispies.

Rather than rolling the dough into balls as directed in our recipe, McLaughlin forms them into a one-inch log. From here, she says you can wrap the dough in parchment or wax paper and store it in the refrigerator, or slice it up and bake it for 30 minutes until golden brown.

As with all homemade crackers, you’ll want to give these plenty of time to cool so they can become firm and crunchy before you dig in. “That little crispy cheesy bottom is what it’s all about,” says McLaughlin as she breaks a cracker in half. After taking a bite, she declares, “This right here is the perfect party appetizer.”

So, the next time you need a quick-and-comforting snack, look no further than this delightfully Midwestern cheesy treat.