Parmesan crisps are the perfect little appetizer bite or snack. They're like a nutty and savory gluten-free cracker. Eat them plain, with fresh salsa, with a dip, or include them as part of your cheeseboard.
There are certain things in life that are absolutely 100% irreplaceable:
- Family
- Friends
- Love (the true kind)
- A good laugh AND a good cry ( let's face it, we all need one every now and then)
- A heart to heart conversation (with someone who truly cares)
- A good run ( or anything that allows you to let your frustration out for that matter)
- Chocolate (need i say more?)
- And... Parmesan cheese
Yep. Parmesan cheese. It's one of those things in this world that can't be replicated. We decided to embrace the crave-worthy flavor of parmesan cheese and created this simple 1-ingredient parmesan crisps recipe that is delicious on its own or any way you would normally use a chip or cracker.
We've often talked about awesome dairy-free cheese alternatives that can be found in the market... and they are getting better and better, but nothing can truly capture the unique flavor, nuttiness, and texture of Parmesan cheese.
Especially if you get your hands on some authentic Parmigiano Reggiano. There's nothing like the real thing, period.
But wait, can we elevate Parmesan Cheese? Can we move it from being sprinkled on pasta to making it the star of the show? We think we can! Try making our parmesan crisps recipe just once and see if you do not agree. All you're gonna need is parmesan cheese.
It can, however, be... "elevated" maybe? In other words, who says you can't take something unique and awesome and make it even more awesome? How? Well, by turning it into a crunchy "transportation device", that's how!</p>
Ingredients for Parmesan Crisps
Shredded or Grated Parmesan Cheese. That's it. I do recommend quality over cost. ¾ cup will make 12 parmesan crisps.
What is Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
This is a delicious, salty, and nutty Italian cheese. It can only be called it Parmiggiano Reggiano cheese if it comes exclusively from the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna to the left of the river Reno and Mantua to the right of the river Po in Italy. It's a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) which means that it can only be produced in a specific geographic area and needs have specific and strict characteristics. In this case a few of the requirements are raw cows milk, the cows feed, no additives, and aged a minimum of 6 months.
You can find Parmesan cheese in your local market that may have been produced with similar methods, but it won't necessarily be an authentic Parmiggiano Reggiano.
Optional Additions. Add any of these to the parmesan before baking for flavor and variety. Honestly, we just like them plain.
- Dry oregano
- Hot pepper flakes
- Black pepper
- Lemon Zest
- Garlic powder
- Za'atar
What Are Parmesan Crisps?
A thin wafer-like chip made purely from parmesan cheese, these crisps are perfect on a salad, as a snack, in a sandwich, or as a delicious garnish on pasta dishes.
How to Make Parmesan Crisps?
Making these delectable, crunchy, salty slivers is really quite easy. You just need a baking sheet and oven or skillet on a cooktop. Both methods are simple and quick. We liked the results from the oven better and found that the crisps were larger and more crispy baked.
How Do You Make Baked Parmesan Crisps?
Preheat the oven to 400º F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spoon 1 tablespoon of parmesan cheese slightly flatten it and repeat until all the cheese is gone. Bake for 4 minutes.
How to make Parmesan Crisps in a Pan?
You can make them in a pan. We tried both methods (oven and pan) and found that the ones made in the oven are larger and crispier.
For the pan method, spoon grated Parmesan cheese, one tablespoon at a time, over a nonstick skillet. Flatten it slightly and cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Using a fork or a thin spatula, carefully turn it over and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Set aside.
How to Store Parmesan Crisps
Keep your leftover parmesan crisps in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. They do not need to be refrigerated.
Can You Freeze Parmesan Crisps?
Yes. They are pretty delicate, so you would need to have a hard-sided plastic container and stack them carefully, but in theory, they can be frozen.
How Do You Keep Parmesan Crisps Crispy?
An airtight container helps. If they get soggy baking them at a low temp 200º-250ºF will crisp them up, but be careful not to overcook them and burn them.
How Many Carbs are in Parmesan Crisps?
If you follow our recipe, all you need to do is look at your parmesan container and find out how many carbs are in one tablespoon of your parmesan of choice and that will tell you how many carbs are in each parmesan crisp. The answer I found was about .2 grams per tablespoon. It certainly may vary depending on brand and quality though. You can figure out the number of calories in your parmesan crisps using the same method.
How To Make Cheese Chips Crispy?
If your parmesan cheese crisps have gotten salty you can easily crisp them up in the oven at 200ºF for a few minutes.
What to Serve With Parmesan Crisps?
You can serve these chip-like treats with so many different things! Top them with a spicy or sweet salsa or add them to salad or soup like a crouton. Munch on them plain as a snack. Add them to your charcuterie board, cheeseboard, or appetizer dish. Use them for dips or add them to sandwiches for a little crunch. The possibilities are endless.
Are Parmesan Crisps Keto?
Yes. They are low carb and high protein. With 1.9 grams of protein per crisp, they also have fat content making them perfect for the keto diet.
Are Parmesan Crisps Gluten-Free?
Yes. Gluten-free simply means free of wheat, barley, or spelt which are all grains. Parmesan does not have any of these ingredients.
If you enjoyed this recipe, it would help us tremendously if you left us a star rating in the comments below or on the recipe card. Do you have any questions about the recipe or do you need a swap for any of the ingredients? We are here to help, just leave us a question in the comments below.
PrintParmesan Crisps
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 12 crisps 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (12 tbsp) grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Cooking Parmesan Crisps in the oven
- Preheat oven to 400F
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- Spoon 1 tablespoon of parmesan cheese slightly flatten it and repeat until all the cheese is gone.
- Bake for 4 minutes
Cooking Parmesan Crisps in pan on the stove
- Spoon grated Parmesan cheese, one tablespoon at a time, over a nonstick skillet. Flatten it slightly and cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Using a fork or a thin spatula, carefully turn it over and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Set aside
Notes
- We liked the results of the crisps baked in the oven better than in the pan.
- Optional spice and herbs additions parmesan cheese before cooking
- Dry oregano
- Hot pepper flakes
- Black pepper
- Lemon Zest
- Garlic powder
- Za'atar
- This post was originally published on May 3, 2013. It has been updated with new information and images.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 crisp
- Calories: 21
- Sugar: 0
- Sodium: 84.8
- Fat: 1.4
- Saturated Fat: 0.9
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.4
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 0.2
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 1.9
- Cholesterol: 3.6
Keywords: gluten-Free, Kosher, Passover, low calorie
cindele says
Loverley!! Thanks to you I remembered those kiwis that are still hiding in the back of the refrigerator- am going to try the salsa right now for Shabbat!! Happy Mother's Days..I loved your list of things that are not irreplaceable- I am adding you both to the list.
★★★★★
Yuri says
I think I can do it and will surprise Cindy and Marc when they come back on Sunday from the Susan G Komen for the Cure Walk in Philadelphia. Thanks for the recipy.
★★★★★
Vicky & Ruth says
Yuri, we want pictures!!!