Name: Cheddar Chili Cheese Shortbread Bites Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Western
Ingredients: 100g strong cheddar (1 cup); 50g Parmesan (1/2 cup); 50g Gruyere (1/2 cup); 210g unsalted butter, cold and sliced into cubes; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon za’atar (or dried thyme); 1 teaspoon chili flakes; 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped; 220g all-purpose flour (1 1/4 cups); 1 tablespoon cornstarch (cornflour)

There’s something about the perfect savory bite that just hits the spot, right? These Cheddar Chili Cheese Shortbread Bites Recipe are exactly that—rich, cheesy, with a subtle kick that keeps you coming back for more. They’re addictive little stars of flavor, perfect for snacking or sharing.

A wooden board on a white marbled surface holds many small star-shaped crackers. There are two groups of crackers: one pile stacked in the middle on a piece of white parchment paper, and another smaller pile wrapped with a dark green ribbon toward the back left. A long red ribbon is placed loosely on the left side of the board. In the background, a gingerbread house with white icing decoration and some pine tree branches wrapped in burlap are slightly blurred. The crackers are golden brown with visible herb specks and have a rough texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheddar Chili Cheese Shortbread Bites Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheddar Chili Cheese Shortbread Bites Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheddar Chili Cheese Shortbread Bites Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I have to admit, when I first made these Cheddar Chili Cheese Shortbread Bites, I was hooked immediately. They hit the balance between buttery richness and just the right amount of spice in a way that feels super fancy but is actually really easy to whip up.

Cheesy Goodness: The blend of strong cheddar, Parmesan, and Gruyere creates a depth of flavor that’s irresistible.
Perfectly Spiced: Chili flakes bring just the right kick without overpowering the buttery shortbread base.
Elegant Yet Simple: These bites look stunning with minimal effort, making them great for parties or gifting.
Easy to Customize: You can tweak herbs or spice levels to match your taste and still get amazing results.

Ingredients & Why They Work

All these ingredients come together to create that perfect balance of crumbly, salty, tangy, and spicy. Using a combination of cheeses adds layers of complexity, while the butter and flour give you that quintessential shortbread texture.

Flat lay of a small wedge of strong cheddar cheese, a small wedge of Parmesan cheese, a small wedge of Gruyere cheese, cold unsalted butter cut into neat cubes, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of cornstarch, a small white bowl of red chili flakes, a small white bowl of za’atar spice, fresh rosemary sprigs, a small white bowl of salt, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Strong cheddar: Sharp, flavorful, and melts beautifully into the dough.
Parmesan: Adds nuttiness and umami, deepening the overall taste.
Gruyere: Brings a subtle creaminess and slight sweetness.
Unsalted butter: Cold and cubed to keep the dough flaky and tender.
Salt: Just enough to boost all the flavors without overwhelming.
Za’atar (or dried thyme): Provides an herbal earthiness and fragrant note.
Chili flakes: The star of the “chili” part—gives a warm but balanced heat.
Fresh rosemary: Brightens and adds a piney freshness.
All-purpose flour: The structure foundation for your shortbread bites.
Cornstarch: Helps keep the texture crumbly and light.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love switching up the herbs sometimes—thyme works wonders if you’re not into za’atar. And if you want to dial up the heat, add more chili flakes or a pinch of smoked paprika for a smoky twist. You can even swap out cheeses to suit what’s in your fridge.

Variation: I once made them with a touch of smoked gouda instead of Gruyere for a deeper smoky note, and my friends couldn’t get enough.
Dietary tweak: While tricky to make gluten-free, using a blend of gluten-free flours can work with a little trial.
Herb swap: Rosemary is my favorite here, but tarragon or oregano makes a lovely seasonal alternative.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheddar Chili Cheese Shortbread Bites Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a food processor bowl filled with crumbly dough. The dough is pale yellow with small green and red specks scattered throughout, giving it a slightly textured look. The mixture appears soft but firm enough to hold small clumps, with some parts sticking lightly to the sides of the clear bowl. The food processor blade is visible in the middle, pushing up some of the dough. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Shred Your Cheeses

I like to use the food processor—just toss in the cheddar, Parmesan, and Gruyere (cut into smaller chunks first) and blitz until shredded. This saves so much time and ensures the cheeses are evenly distributed, which really helps the flavor blend uniformly throughout the dough.

Step 2: Combine the Ingredients

Add your flour, cornstarch, chili flakes, za’atar, salt, cold cubed butter, and fresh rosemary right on top of the shredded cheese in the processor bowl. Pulse it in short bursts until the dough just starts to come together—it should look a bit lumpy and clumpy. If it feels dry, add a teaspoon or two of cold water, but avoid overworking it.

Step 3: Roll and Cut

Dump the dough onto a floured surface, dust the top with flour, and roll it out to about half an inch thick. I love cutting mine into stars for a festive feel, but circles or squares work too. If the dough sticks or gets too soft, wrap it in clingfilm and chill it for 15 minutes—that trick really helps keep the shapes crisp and neat.

Step 4: Chill Before Baking

Place your cut cookies on a lined baking tray and pop the tray in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or into the freezer for 15 if you’re short on time. This step makes all the difference for maintaining shape and getting that lovely flaky texture.

Step 5: Bake

Heat your oven to 350°F (180°C fan), then bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes until the edges are nicely golden. The tops will still look a little pale—don’t worry, that’s perfect! Let them cool on the tray for 5 minutes to set up, then move to a wire rack to cool completely. They crisp up beautifully as they cool down.

Top Tip

Through making these a bunch of times, I’ve learned small tweaks can really elevate the Cheddar Chili Cheese Shortbread Bites Recipe. Here are my go-to tips for baking perfection and ease.

Keep Ingredients Cold: Cold butter is the secret to flaky shortbread, so don’t let it soften before combining.
Dough Chill Time: Chilling before rolling and again after cutting helps prevent spreading and keeps sharp cookie edges.
Pulse, Don’t Overmix: Over-processing the dough can make it tough, so pulse just enough until it forms clumps.
Use a Digital Scale: Measuring your ingredients by weight gives consistent, foolproof results each time.

How to Serve Cheddar Chili Cheese Shortbread Bites Recipe

cheddar chili bites - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

For me, a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt just before baking adds a lovely crunch and flavor burst. Sometimes, I add a tiny fresh rosemary leaf on top of each cookie for eye appeal and an herbal kick. It’s simple but elevates the presentation.

Side Dishes

These bites pair beautifully with a sharp cheese board, a tangy chutney, or a smooth creamy dip like whipped goat cheese. I also like serving them alongside a crisp green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette for a light, balanced appetizer spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve arranged these shortbread stars in a circle around a bowl of spicy tomato jam—guests loved dipping and nibbling! You can also stack them in a tiered tray or gift them in a pretty box lined with parchment for holiday giving.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store these in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep their crispness for about 4-5 days, but honestly, they rarely last that long once out on the counter!

Freezing

I’ve had great success freezing the dough before baking. Just shape and freeze the cut cookies on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time—it’s a lifesaver when you need last-minute snacks.

Reheating

Warm them gently in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 minutes to revive that fresh-from-the-oven feel—microwaves tend to make them a bit soft, so I avoid that when I can.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make Cheddar Chili Cheese Shortbread Bites without a food processor?

Absolutely! You can make the dough by hand by grating the cheeses and working the cold butter into the flour mixture with your fingers or a pastry cutter until you get that crumbly, clumpy dough. Just be sure to keep everything cold to avoid making the dough greasy.

How spicy are these shortbread bites?

The chili flakes add a gentle warmth rather than intense heat, making these bites approachable for most palates. You can always adjust the amount to suit your spice preference.

Can I substitute the cheeses in this recipe?

Definitely! While the original mix balances sharpness and creaminess beautifully, feel free to use your favorite hard cheeses. Just avoid very soft or wet cheeses that might affect the dough’s texture.

How should I store leftovers to keep them crisp?

Store the baked bites in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them crisp. Avoid refrigeration, which can make them soggy. If you want to keep them longer, freezing the baked cookies is a good option.

Final Thoughts

These Cheddar Chili Cheese Shortbread Bites quickly became one of my favorite savory treats to make and share. They’re wonderfully versatile—easy enough for a weekday snack but fancy enough when you want to impress your guests. I can’t wait for you to try them; once you do, they might just end up being your new go-to bite, too.