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December 17, 2019

Keto Cheese Straws

This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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The famous southern cheese straws recipe gets a keto makeover! Cheesy almond flour cheddar crisps in beautiful fun shapes make a delicious low carb appetizer. This post is sponsored by Cabot Creamery.  

Keto cheese straws in a small white bowl on a brown table

Hey there, hungry people! Looking for a delicious and savory low appetizer to serve at your holiday party? One that even the non-keto people will love? Mission accomplished.

Look no further than these keto cheese straws. Tender and crisp at the same time, they are going to disappear faster than pizza in a college dorm room.  Trust me, they are a wee bit addictive, all that cheesy salty flavor. And boy, do they go perfectly with a cocktail or a glass of wine. Don’t ask me how I know that, I just do. 

Low carb cheese straws in front of bricks of sharp cheddar cheese.

Really good sharp cheddar makes the best cheese straws

I have a long-standing affection for Cabot cheese and really do think it is the best cheddar on the planet. It’s less prevalent here on the West Coast than it is back in New England, but I still tell everyone about it any time the subject comes up. 

And with me, the subject of cheese comes up with surprising frequency. I’m known to wax poetic on all the attributes of good cheddar. I’ve turned many a Portlander onto Cabot, even gifting some to my cheese-loving CrossFit coach. He was impressed!

Cabot Creamery Cooperative is so named for a reason. They truly are a cooperative, and 100% go back to the over 1000 family farms that make up this fabulous corporation. 

And good news for the lactose- or gluten-intolerant, since Cabot cheddars are 100% free of both allergens. 

This naturally aged cheddar is so good, so flavorful, it’s the perfect ingredient for these keto cheese straws. 

Top down photo of almond flour cheddar cheese straws.

How to make Keto Cheese Straws

This was not my first attempt at keto cheese straws. I had a failed attempt a few years ago, but when Cabot and I agreed to a holiday recipe post, I knew I wanted to try them again. They really are a classic holiday appetizer. 

It took me a few tries to get this recipe right, but once I did, it was quite simple to make the straws. The trick is achieving dough that’s relatively stable, so it doesn’t spread or lose its shape in the oven, but that’s also soft enough to push through a piping bag or a cookie press. This is no small feat, working with alternative flours like almond flour and coconut flour. 

Piping cheese straw dough onto a baking sheet.

So a few tips to make your keto cheese straw experience a successful one:

Room temperature ingredients are critical for softer dough. Cold ingredients will firm up the dough too much, making it harder to squeeze through the decorating tip. 

But you actually want to grate the cheese and cube the butter when it’s cold, so that it’s firm enough to cut easily. Do this step when you first take them out of the fridge, then let them sit for an hour or so.

Use a good food processor to combine your ingredients. This helps to combine them very well, and break up the cheese even further for a more cohesive dough. 

When piping the straws, be sure to use an open star-shaped tip. If it’s too closed, it will be very difficult to pipe the cheese straws properly.

  • I used the 1M tip from Wilton but the Ateco #824 would work well too. Whatever you choose, make sure the prongs of the tip are not too close together, as the cheese can clog it up. 

Keep the straws on the small side, about 3 inches long. They become too fragile when they are longer. 

If you want to use a cookie press, that works well too. Some of them have star tips and you can make the regular straws. My press does not so I simply used it to make spritz-cookie style shapes. Just as tasty!

Silicone baking mats are best because they don’t pull up as easily when you’re piping. If you use parchment paper, you may want to grease the pan with a little oil to make the parchment stick so it doesn’t constantly come away from the pan as it sticks to the dough. 

Sharp cheddar will give you the most flavor. I used the Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar to get a true burst of cheddar in my straws. You could vary it up, if you wish. Cabot has a great Pepper Jack as well. If you want a more orange color, try the Cabot Colby Jack instead. They have such an extensive line of wonderful cheeses, there’s something for everyone!

Keto cheese straws on a plate with a martini.
5 from 5 votes
Print
Keto Cheese Straws
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
50 mins
 

The famous southern cheese straws recipe gets a keto makeover! Cheesy almond flour cheddar crisps in beautiful fun shapes make a delicious low carb appetizer.

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheese straws recipe, keto cheese straws
Servings: 48 straws or crisps (approximately)
Calories: 209 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1 ¾ cup almond flour
  • 2 tbsp coconut flour
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp xanthan gum
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ to ½ tsp cayenne optional, adds a nice kick
  • ½ cup butter cut into pieces and softened
  • 4 ounces sharp Cheddar grated, room temperature
  • 1 egg yolk room temperature
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 300F and line two baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.
  2. Place the almond flour, coconut flour, salt, xanthan gum, garlic powder, and cayenne in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times to combine.
  3. Scatter the pieces of butter and grated cheese overtop of the dry ingredients and then add the egg yolk. Pulse until well combined and the dough gathers itself into a ball.
  4. Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with an open star tip, and pipe the dough into 3 inch lines. They can be quite close together, as they don’t really spread. (You can also place the dough in a cookie press and create fun shapes).
  5. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until just golden brown, then turn of the oven and let the straws sit inside 5 more minutes. Keep a close eye on them so they don’t brown too much.
  6. Remove and let cool completely on the pan.
Nutrition Facts
Keto Cheese Straws
Amount Per Serving (4 straws)
Calories 209 Calories from Fat 167
% Daily Value*
Fat 18.6g29%
Carbohydrates 4.5g2%
Fiber 2.2g9%
Protein 6.3g13%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Filed Under: Appetizers & Snacks, Low Carb Tagged With: almond flour, cheddar cheese

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Nutritional Disclaimer

Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.

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Carolyn PortraitLooking for the best low carb recipes? You've come to the right place! I'm Carolyn, a major carnivore and an unrepentant sweet tooth. Here you will find all you need to enjoy the low carb keto lifestyle to the fullest! Read more

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