The One-Ingredient Homemade Crackers That Hit the Spot

Next time you’re convinced you don’t have anything to snack on, check your fridge: If you have hard cheese of any kind, then you’re five minutes away from enjoying fresh, homemade cheese crisps.

Fricos, as they’re called, may look fancy, but they are actually ridiculously simple to make. On top of being fast and easy to prepare, they only require one ingredient to prepare. They’re also low-carb and grain-free, which makes them a crowd-pleaser for all types of people and occasions. To make them, all you really need is a semi-firm or firm cheese and a nonstick pan.

How to Make Cheese Crisps (Fricos)

1. Start with a firm or semi-firm cheese that’s been grated (pre-grated cheese works, too). Our top picks include Parmesan and cheddar, but Asiago, Pecorino and other firm cheeses work well, too.
2. Preheat a nonstick pan over medium-low heat.
3. As an added precaution to prevent the cheese from sticking, hit your nonstick pan with a bit of vegetable oil spray. (If you have a high-performance nonstick pan like Zwilling Forte, which allows you to fry items like eggs without oil, you can easily skip this step for a healthier snack.)
4. Sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of cheese into the center of the pan (or more if you’d like your frico to be larger). Don’t worry about spacing, as the cheese will melt into a single thin, crispy mass.
5. After a minute or two, the cheese will have melted and started to brown and harden. At this point, flip the crisp and let it brown on the other side for another half a minute.
6. Transfer to a towel-lined plate to let cool. Enjoy!

Make as few or as many as your appetite allows. Bonus: They make a wonderful garnish for soup and are an addictive accompaniment to wine.