Mary Berry Cheese Straws Recipe

Mary Berry Cheese straws are a crispy, delightful savoury snack that combines the rich flavour of mature Cheddar with a hint of dry mustard, creating a perfect appetizer or party treat.

By Mary Berry
From Saturday Kitchen

Moderate nutritional profile with approximately 39 calories per straw, low in carbohydrates and providing a small protein boost. Enjoy in moderation.

Equipment

• Baking sheets
• Mixing bowl
• Rolling pin
• Wire cooling rack

Ingredients

• Self-rising flour 1¼ cups (7 oz/200g)
• Dry mustard powder 1 level tsp
• Salt ¼ level tsp
• Black pepper to taste
• Butter ½ cup (4 oz/114g)
• Mature Cheddar cheese 4½ oz (125g), grated
• Beaten egg a little

Method

Prepare

• Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C
• Lightly grease two or three baking sheets

Make Dough

• Combine flour, mustard powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl
• Rub in cold butter until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs
• Stir in grated Cheddar cheese
• Gradually add beaten egg to form a firm dough
• Knead on floured surface until smooth

Bake

• Roll dough to ¼ inch (6mm) thickness
• Cut into narrow strips
• Arrange strips on prepared baking sheets
• Bake for about 10 minutes until edges turn golden
• Cool on baking sheets for a few minutes
• Transfer to wire rack to cool completely

Nutri-score Health Check

Nutri-score rating: **C (Moderately Healthy)**

This Mary Berry cheese straws recipe receives a moderate health rating due to:
– High saturated fat content from butter and cheese
– Low vegetable content
– Moderate calorie density
– Small protein contribution

Automatically calculated from ingredient analysis and serves as a general guide.

Recipe FAQ

• Can I use different cheese? Mature Cheddar works best, but you can experiment with other hard cheeses
• How long do cheddar straws keep? Up to 3 days in airtight container, or freeze for 1 month
• Can I make them gluten-free? Use gluten-free self-rising flour as a substitute
• Are they vegetarian? Yes, but not vegan due to cheese and egg
• Can children eat these? Yes, but monitor portion sizes
• What can I serve them with? Tomato soup, salad, or charcuterie board
• How crispy should they be? Golden edges, light and crisp texture
• Can I add herbs? Try adding dried thyme or rosemary for extra flavour