Parmesan Cheddar Basil Bites Recipe - Life Love Liz (2024)

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Parmesan Cheddar Basil Bites are a delicious appetizer perfect for any event or party! They are crisp outside but soft and tender inside.

Parmesan Cheddar Basil Bites Recipe - Life Love Liz (1)

Looking for an addictive snack or appetizer? These Parmesan cheddar basil bites are a real crowd pleaser and so easy to make!

They have a crisp outside with a soft and tender inside. They aren’t a true cracker, but they are a perfect addition to a charcuterie board, for serving at wine-tastings, and anywhere else you might serve up party appetizers. Using a star cookie cutter they are pretty fabulous to serve up on New Years Eve and they pair wonderfully with champagne!

I love that you can use cookie cutters to customize them for any even or party too.Some people like to just use a pizza cutter to make squares or diamonds which really makes these quick and easy to prepare.

They are even fun to put in kids lunches for a treat.

*Updated December 15, 2021 – Note, I have not updated the recipe, it is pretty perfect as is. I just wanted to add some additional information and answer some of the most frequently asked questions directly in the post.

How to Store Cheddar Basil Bites

You can store the Parmesan cheddar basil bites in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to a week.

The dough does freeze well for several weeks if you want to save dough to make fresh bites later on, just store in a freezer bag.

This recipe does make a large amount of bites, if you have leftovers you won’t eat within a week you can freeze them! Just divide them out. Wrap the divided portions in plastic wrap or foil and then place in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. They should thaw out in a few hours on the counter when you are ready to enjoy them again.

Cheddar Bites Variations

Try swapping out the basil for other flavours. Some great alternatives include:

  • Rosemary
  • Oregano
  • Chives
  • Tarragon
  • Cayenne

About the Ingredients for Parmesan Cheddar Basil Bites

Cheese – I generally use old cheddar cheese when making these cheese crackers. I think the sharper flavour works best.

Butter – You should use unsalted butter here, but I’ll be honest and say I don’t usually keep any on hand so always use salted myself. I just halve the amount of additional salt.

Half and Half – 10% milk fat cream. If you don’t have access to this, use half milk, and full heavy whipping cream. The cream provides the moisture and the extra fat is needed, so for best results I would not swap directly with just milk.

Flour – Scoop and level your flour, sifting it if it is lumpy. Don’t pack it down or your cheese bites may end up more dense than they should be. If you don’t measure carefully and the dough ends up too dry, add a teaspoon more of the cream at a time until the dough is workable.

Parmesan cheese – You can use either freshly grated or store bought pre-grated parmesan. I kind of prefer these when I don’t use fresh parmesan.

Basil – Use only fresh herbs, you can substitute with one of the variations listed above, or get creative and come up with your own combinations!

More Delicious Appetizer Ideas:

If you are looking for more appetizer recipes, check out some of my favourites!

Slow Cooker Party Meatballs are a favourite appetizer at just about any gathering. This is a super easy recipe you are almost sure to make over and over again!

These Cranberry Pecan Stuffed Mushrooms with Goat Cheese are a tasty holiday appetizer that will impress your guests.

These Cucumber Rollups with Fresh Herb Cream Cheese make for a nice substitution to the typical veggie tray at bbq’s and parties.

PARMESAN CHEDDAR BASIL BITES

Yields: 3 Dozen |Prep time: 20 Mins | Cook time: 11 Minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 5 tablespoons half-and-half (10% Milk Fat Cream)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°

Beat Cheddar cheese, butter, half-and-half, and salt at medium speed with a mixer until blended. Gradually add flour, Parmesan cheese, and basil – beating just until combined.

Turn dough onto a well floured surface. Divide into 3 equal portions, and roll to flatten each to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut with star shaped cutter. Place 1 inch apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets.

Bake 11 to 14 minutes or until golden; cool on baking sheets on wire racks for 30 minutes.

Parmesan Cheddar Basil Bites Recipe - Life Love Liz (6)

Yield: 36 Basil Bites

Parmesan Cheddar Basil Bites

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 11 minutes

Total Time: 31 minutes

Parmesan Cheddar Basil Bites are a delicious appetizer perfect for any event or party! They are crisp outside but soft and tender inside.

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 5 tablespoons half-and-half
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°
  2. Beat Cheddar cheese, butter, half-and-half, and salt at medium speed with a mixer until blended. Gradually add flour, Parmesan cheese, and basil – beating just until combined.
  3. Turn dough onto a well floured surface. Divide into 3 equal portions, and roll to flatten each to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut with star shaped cutter. Place 1 inch apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets.
  4. Bake 11 to 14 minutes or until golden; cool on baking sheets on wire racks for 30 minutes.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

36

Serving Size:

1 grams

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 93Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 183mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 4g

This information is provided as a courtesy and for entertainment purposes only. This information comes from online calculators. Although lifeloveliz.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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Parmesan Cheddar Basil Bites Recipe - Life Love Liz (12)

Liz Lampman

Liz Lampman is a coffee-fuelled Mom of 2 girls and lives in Hamilton, Ontario. She enjoys cooking and baking, food photography, and reading.

Parmesan Cheddar Basil Bites Recipe - Life Love Liz (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Parmesan and cheddar cheese? ›

Cheddar cheese is a hard English cheese, while Parmesan is a hard Italian cheese. Parmesan has a rich flavor and less aging time while Cheddar cheese is less expensive and has fewer calories.

Can I use cheddar instead of Parmesan in risotto? ›

Either white or yellow cheddar will work — just know the latter will lend a yellow hue to the dish to make it reminiscent of classic mac and cheese (which is not necessarily a bad thing).

Can I substitute Parmesan for cheddar? ›

However, the good thing about Parmesan is that its strong flavour means you don't need to use much – it works particularly well as a substitute for cheddar if you are grating cheese for pasta dishes that have a cheese topping, like lasagne, or you could try it in a normal cheese sauce – use a smaller amount than you ...

Is Parmesan a sharp cheese? ›

The cheese contains tiny crunchy granules which give it a very unique texture. The taste is slightly sharp, not unlike mildly sharp cheddar, but also very complex and layered, a bit fruity, though nutty is the predominant characteristic and most typical descriptive.

Do you have to refrigerate Parmesan cheese after opening? ›

Soft cheeses such as cream cheese, cottage cheese, shredded cheeses, and goat cheese must be refrigerated for safety. As a general rule, hard cheeses such as cheddar, processed cheeses (American), and both block and grated Parmesan do not require refrigeration for safety, but they will last longer if kept refrigerated.

Is cheddar stronger than Parmesan? ›

Meanwhile, parmesan cheese is also often found as an additional topping on pasta and salads. It's just that, parmesan cheese has a stronger aroma and taste than Cheddar cheese. If you want to add a stronger cheese flavor, you can use parmesan cheese.

What is the closest cheese to Parmesan? ›

Pecorino Romano

This is the cheese that most people will reach for when Parmesan isn't in the cards. Pecorino's base flavor and texture are similar to Parmesan's, but it has a couple key differences. Pecorino is made from sheep's milk, which contains more fat than cow's milk.

Can you mix cheddar and Parmesan? ›

This tasty sauce begins on the stovetop with a simple butter and flour roux (a thickening agent created by combining butter and flour and briefly stirring over heat until smooth), then combines milk, cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese, dry mustard and seasoning, creating a mild creamy, cheesy sauce that adds elegance ...

Can I use cheddar instead of Parmesan in Alfredo? ›

Conversely, if the sauce seems too thick (either now or when you're warming it back up again), just whisk in a splash of milk, broth, or water to thin it out again. Don't limit yourself to just using Parmesan for this Alfredo sauce recipe. You can really use any cheese you like -- cheddar, Swiss, gruyere, gouda...

What is the healthiest cheese for your heart? ›

Using lower-fat cheeses – such as mozzarella, feta, cottage cheese or reduced-fat cheeses – will provide less saturated fat. Our table at the end of the page shows how the fat content of different cheeses compares.

What is the best cheese for diabetics with high cholesterol? ›

Choosing the Best Cheese for Diabetes

"Heart health is vital for people with diabetes, as high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart disease," says Lorencz. "Lower-fat cheeses like Swiss, mozzarella, provolone and ricotta are better options for people with diabetes."

Which cheese is sharper romano or Parmesan? ›

However, there are some key differences between the two. Parmesan is made from cow's milk, while romano is made from sheep's milk. This difference in milk source gives the cheeses different flavours. Parmesan is nutty and slightly sweet, while romano is saltier and sharper.

What is the white stuff on Parmesan cheese? ›

No need to worry - these tiny white specks are actually a good thing. They're most likely calcium lactate crystals, also known as “cheese crystals.” They are completely safe to eat, and usually signify that a cheese is flavorful and well-aged.

Are the white spots on Parmesan mold? ›

You may notice, especially in Swiss and Parm types aged over one year, white specks or crystallized patches. These are amino acid clusters, not mold, and add a pleasant crunch and savory bite to the cheeses' texture.

What cheese is the best substitute for Parmesan? ›

Asiago cheese, especially aged Asiago, is a great melting cheese and makes a good Parmesan substitute for classic Italian-American dishes. It's got a nice bite and toasty woodsiness, and those flavors get sharper the longer Asiago ages. This cow's milk cheese is widely available and reasonably priced.

What makes Parmesan cheese different? ›

According to the US Code of Federal Regulations, anything called "parmesan" must be a cow's milk cheese with a "granular texture" and a "hard and brittle rind" and have been aged for at least 10 months. In addition, the curd must have been cut into pieces "no larger than wheat kernels."

Can I use cheddar instead of Parmesan in lasagna? ›

Add parmesan or cheddar cheese, stir until melted. To construct lasagna, in a lightly greased baking dish, layer meat sauce, cheese sauce and lasagna sheets, (making sure the lasagna sheets are totally covered). Repeat layers, finishing with cheese sauce.

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