My crunchy keto cheese straws are perfect for nibbling and dipping. These easy almond flour breadsticks have tons of cheese flavor and require only 5 ingredients. A delicious low carb snack.
There are two types of recipes. One is necessary (think breakfasts, lunches and dinners), and one is fun.
The fun kind of recipe does not necessarily produce a dish that you NEED. But boy, will it taste good. A fun recipe nourishes the soul just as much as the tummy. Like these low carb cheese straws!
They are crunchy, cheesy and simply amazing with dips. They remind me of the irresistible cheesy breadsticks we used to nibble on when we went to the Italian restaurant around the corner.
Even better, my keto cheese straws are WAY healthier than traditional ones. Because they are made with almond flour. This makes the recipe gluten-free and only 0.9g net carbs per breadstick.
Whenever I make a batch of these, they go in a flash!
Also try these keto pretzels and my low carb pizza bites.
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Ingredients
Here are the ingredients I used.
- Almond flour - I recommend extra-fine almond flour such as Bob's Red Mill for this recipe. Ground almonds also work, but you may need to add 1-2 tablespoons more.
- Mature Cheddar cheese - Finely grated at home from a block of cheese. A really good sharp cheddar (also called mature cheddar) is essential. It is saltier and has more flavor than mild cheddar. If you can, weigh it with digital kitchen scales. Finely grated cheese is very fluffy, so no 2 people will end up with exactly the same amount if you measure by volume. If you're using cups, pack the cheese slightly.
- Psyllium husk - This acts as a binder. You can make the recipe without, but the cheese straws will be more crumbly. Option to replace the psyllium with ground flaxseed.
- Egg - I used a medium egg.
- Olive oil - Any savoury dishes taste better with extra virgin olive oil!
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Instructions
It is pretty straight forward to make low carb cheese straws. I did not even use an electric mixer. Here are the basic steps.
Scroll down to the recipe card for the detailed method with ingredient amounts, baking duration and nutrition info.
Equipment
I did not use an electric mixer to blend the dough - only a fork. That's why it is essential to use a grater for hard cheese such as parmesan, like the one I show in the picture below. If you grate larger pieces, it'll take you longer to get a smooth dough.
Step 1: Mix the finely grated cheddar, almond flour and psyllium husk in a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Add the egg and oil. Mix first with a fork until you get a crumbly consistency. Then knead until the dough is smooth and you cannot see any cheesy bits.
Step 3: Roll the dough into breadsticks. Option to roll them in sesame seeds to coat.
Step 4: Place the cheese straws onto a parchment paper lined baking tray and bake in the preheated oven until golden brown.
Katrin's Top Tips
Be patient! There is kneading involved, so the cheese and the almond flour are properly mixed. You also need to take your time rolling the straws - if you do this too quickly, they might break. Only make this recipe when you don't feel in a rush and enjoy the journey.
Want more crunchy? The thinner you roll the straws (and the longer you bake them, the crunchier they'll become.
Let them cool. The cheese straws are a little fragile straight out of the oven. They firm up and get a nice crunch when they cool down.
Variations
Change the cheese: Monterey Jack or a sharp Gouda would be good alternatives to cheddar. You can also mix and match 2 different cheeses. Or, replace some of the cheddar with parmesan. I don't recommend using mozzarella. It's too bland.
No egg: The recipe should work without egg, but I think you'll need to add ground flaxseed instead (and perhaps a little water to help you create a rollable dough - not as much as required for a tradidtional flax egg). Flax is also a good binder, and it will make the cheese straws nice and crunchy.
Add-Ins: See my recipe as a starting point for your own flavor experiments. You could add ½ teaspoon of onion powder, garlic powder or paprika to the recipe. Or, add herbs such as rosemary or thyme.
Aternative coatings: Roll the breadsticks in poppy seeds or nigella seeds (use the latter sparingly).
You can also roll out the dough into a rectangle between 2 sheets of parchment paper and use a knife or pizza cutter to cut it into keto cheese crackers (see my almond flour crackers for a step by step tutorial with images).
Recipe FAQs
Yes, the recipe would work with a food processor or electric blender. Simply blend all ingredients until smooth.
I don't recommend using store-bought ready-grated cheese if you make the recipe without a blender. The shreds are too large and it would take too long to knead.
No. The dough is not soft enough to use a piping bag. It is designed to be rolled into breadsticks.
Store the cheese straws in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Serve With
Keto cheese straws are perfectly delicious solo. But, they also exceedingly good with the following dips:
- Keto hummus
- Baba Ghanoush
- Guacamole
- Blended cottage cheese
Parting Words
So. Put on some music. Get in the zone. Pour a cup of tea or a glass of wine. Don't make low carb cheese straws because you are hungry. Make them because you know you'll love them. Because they look pretty. And because right now, you'd like to relax with some FUN COOKING.
More Keto Cheese Recipes
- Keto Broccoli Cheese Muffins30 Minutes
- Zucchini Grilled Cheese30 Minutes
- Coconut Crackers20 Minutes
- Keto Cheese Chips10 Minutes
Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating below!
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Recipe
Crunchy Keto Cheese Straws
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour (100g)
- 1 ½ cups mature cheddar cheese, finely hand grated (5.3 ounces/150g)
- 1 teaspoon psyllium husk or ground flaxseed
- 1 egg medium
- 2 ½ tablespoon olive oil
- optional: sesame seeds to coat
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 Celsius / 356 Fahrenheit.
- Grate cheddar. It should be grated as finely as possible. Shop-bought ready-grated cheddar does not work.
- Mix cheddar, almond flour and psyllium husk in a bowl.
- Add egg and oil. Mix first with a fork until you get a crumbly consistency. Then knead until the dough is smooth and you cannot see any cheesy bits.
- Roll the dough into sticks. Mine weighed around 20g each and were about 15 cm long. If you wish, roll the sticks in sesame seeds. The thinner you can get them, the crunchier they'll be!
- Bake in the preheated oven on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for around 17-20 minutes or until lightly browned all over.
- Let cool fully before serving.
Jillian
I love your savory recipes! Many people are so hooked on sugars that they tend to look for sweets that are ok to eat on Keto, or they have been on such restrictive diets in the past that they mentally need to be able to have treats. I was more this way years ago and now seldom look for desserts, or eat very simple treats once in awhile. You are one of my favorite blogs, so keep up the good work.
Katrin Nürnberger
Thank you for your support and kind words. I do enjoy my sweet recipes, but easy savoury treats like these are gold!
Karen Conway
Hey Katrin - do you think there would be a way to make these without the egg? thanks. Karen x
Katrin Nürnberger
Yes, but I think you'll need to add some flaxseed instead (and perhaps a little water to help you create a rollable dough - not as much as required for a tradidtional flax egg). Flax is also a good binder, and will help making these cheese straws nice and crunchy.
Eve Berry
I haven't made these yet but they sound perfect as I absolutely love Cheese Straws. Thank you for all your work and experimentation.
Katrin Nürnberger
Once you've made them, come back here and let me know how you like them!
Tara
I love these. Only thing I measure is the almond flour, eyeball cheese. Use large organic egg not ex-large, never crumbles. Do some in sesame others in rosemary/sea salt. I get 24 out of a batch too!
Veena R
Hey Katrin, when you say roll is it between your palm or rolling pin.. I just tried it and it’s not as nice as yours but I’m excited about how they will turn up.. I’ll insta and tag you.. ❤️ Thank you..
Cid
Thank you! This “breadsticks” is very satisfying and something I’d choose even without keto goals. Easy, too, except for grating the cheese. My mom suggested that I place the cheese in the freezer for a half hour before grating it. It worked like a charm. I wanted to share this tip so more people can enjoy this deliciousness!
Sophie
Hello Katrin,
thank you very much for this marvellous recipe. I did it and eat everything alone...I am a nasty girl !
Tomorrow I will publish the recipe on my blog La tendresse en cuisine (a french one).
May you have a merry Christmas and happy New Year.
Sophie
Toni
Look amazing - How I wish I didn't have a tree-nut allergy 🙁
Katrin
That is a shame. You could try these with a coconut flour / flax mix or maybe with sesame flour
Teri
I have made these with sunflower flour and they taste great, for a nut free version
Katrin Nürnberger
That's a great idea! I also like to use a mix of sunflower and sesame seed flour. That would taste good in this recipe as well.
Lesley
I like this recipe, thank you. I’ve made it twice now - the second time, I rolled the dough between silicone/grease proof paper and marked into small squares - half way through cooking cut them again so they would separate....the came out like little Graham’s crackers or those little gold fish savouries. I’m also going to add nutritional yeast flakes next time.
Katrin
I love the idea of making them as crackers! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Alison Blake
Ok, Londoner. Let me shake your digital hand. Disclaimer: I’ve not even MADE the sticks yet. But the INSANE amount of verbal filer in blogs these days to inject click-bait has made me hate attempting to find recipes on the web. YOU have JUST the right amount of pertinent and applicable commentary that doesn’t make the recipe almost impossible to happen upon. So thank you thank you and bravo! You’ve earned a rare spot in my email box. and yes.... you’re sooo right! FUN cooking Ali From Houston