Impress Your Guests With 2-Ingredient Cheese Crisps On Your Next Charcuterie Board

Sometimes you need an extra hint of indulgence to really bring a charcuterie board together. Try these two-ingredient cheese crisps for a no-fuss, crunchy, and impressive addition to your snack platter with just Parmesan and an herb of your choice. When sectioned off into small rounds and baked at a medium heat, this concoction turns into a crispy, herbal cracker perfect for pairing with salami, dipping into jam, or savoring solo.

Feel free to use whatever herb you've got handy, but fresh oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, and dill are especially worthy options. If you are aiming for a particular theme for your charcuterie board, such as Italian cuisine, opt to use an herb that's popular in Italian cooking such as basil or oregano.

To make these tasty cheese crisps start by preheating your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. An ounce of Parmesan and ½ teaspoon of minutely chopped fresh herbs will get you five to seven crackers depending on how thickly your Parmesan is shredded. More finely grated Parmesan will be easier to spread out and turn into more crackers. Heap spoonfuls of Parmesan onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and top with a sprinkle of your chosen herb, before pressing down on the rounds with a spoon. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes until crispy. Optionally, broil the crackers for 30 seconds to one minute to bring out a golden brown color. Take them out of the oven, allow to cool for 10 minutes, remove with a spatula, and voilà — the perfect crunchy charcuterie pairing.

The best charcuterie boards have a complementary mix of cheeses, meats, spreads, and carbs. A little time spent on thoughtfully pairing your ingredients can seriously elevate your charcuterie board. One helpful trick is to implement the rule of three to have three types of each food category on your board (meats, nuts, etc.). You can also wield this tactic when considering different textures.

For instance, if you've made your Parmesan crackers, you already have a cheese with a harder texture sorted (though you can also group them in with crackers). Plan for the next cheese to be softer and the final cheese to land more in the middle, texture-wise. Using this device, brie and Gouda could be wise additions. Or if you're wondering which types of bread to pair with the rest of your charcuterie board, consider a crispy Italian grissini, a toasted sourdough, and a softer artisanal cracker filled with dried fruit.

Of course, if you can't manage to have three of everything, don't sweat it, but do keep in mind that adding items like fruits and nuts to your charcuterie board increases variety and makes for an even tastier experience. So pull out your best wooden board, make those Parmesan crackers, and wow your guests with a detailed and creative charcuterie board experience.