Mock Goldfish Cheese Puffs

Dive into the irresistible homemade charm of Mock Goldfish Cheese Puffs—a fun, flavorful snack that will delight both kids and adults alike! These buttery, cheesy bites are made with sharp cheddar, cold butter, and a touch of optional paprika for a slightly smoky kick. With just 20 minutes of prep time, the dough comes together effortlessly in a food processor and bakes to golden perfection in under 15 minutes. Customize the shape with cookie cutters to make them even more fun—think classic goldfish or any playful shape you prefer. Perfect for lunchboxes, party platters, or an addictive mid-afternoon treat, these crispy cheese puffs are as snackable as they are satisfying. Keywords: homemade cheese puffs, goldfish-style snack, kid-friendly snacks, easy cheese crackers, baked cheese treats.

Nutriscore Rating: 46/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup All-purpose flour
• 1 cup Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Paprika (optional, for added flavor)
• 2 tablespoons Cold water

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a food processor, combine the all-purpose flour, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, cold butter, salt, and optional paprika if using.

Step 3

Pulse the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 4

Gradually add the cold water, one tablespoon at a time, and pulse until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 5

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a ball. Flatten into a disc and refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm up.

Step 6

Roll the chilled dough out to about 1/8-inch thick. Use a small cookie cutter (fish-shaped if desired) to cut out individual shapes.

Step 7

Place the shaped dough pieces onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a small amount of space between them.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese puffs are golden and slightly crispy.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and let the cheese puffs cool completely on the baking sheet. They will crisp up further as they cool.

Step 10

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	321.9 grams (321.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1286

Total Fat 83.30g	107%
Saturated Fat 53.40g	267%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 244mg	81%
Sodium 1911mg	83%
Total Carbohydrate 95.90g	35%
Dietary Fiber 3.50g	13%
Total Sugars 0.40g
Protein 41.00g	82%

Vitamin D 52IU	260%
Calcium 831mg	64%
Iron 7mg	36%
Potassium 274mg	6%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.8%

Protein: 12.6%

Carbs: 29.6%