Blue Cheese Wafers
These Blue Cheese Wafers are crisp, buttery, and boldly savory with just the right tang from blue cheese. They’re a classic Southern-style cocktail appetizer. Slice-and-bake simple and perfect for making ahead, these little homemade blue cheese crackers belong on every holiday tray, game day spread, or bourbon-and-wine night.
Why You’ll Love These
If you love a salty, buttery bite with a little personality, you are going to love this Southern cheese wafer recipe. These blue cheese crackers are flaky, crispy, and melt-in-your-mouth!
- Bold, savory flavor without being overwhelming.
- Crisp edges and tender crumb like a savory shortbread.
- Make-ahead appetizer – freeze the logs and bake when needed.
- Perfect for holidays, tailgates, and entertaining.
- Made with simple pantry ingredients.
Some of our other favorite appetizers to make are Honey Mustard Pretzels, Jalapeno Chicken Meatballs, Olive Cheese Bread, Firecracker Chex Mix, and Garlic Herb Cheese Ball.
Ingredients Needed
- Unsalted Butter – Butter is the foundation of these wafers. It provides richness, structure, and that crisp, shortbread-style texture. Be sure it is room temperature so it will combine more easily.
- Gorgonzola Blue Cheese – This is the star. Blue cheese brings bold, savory depth and just enough tang to make these wafers stand out.
- All-Purpose Flour – Flour provides structure and holds everything together. The amount used creates a sliceable dough that bakes into crisp, tender wafers rather than soft cookies.
- Cracked Black Pepper – Adds subtle warmth and flavor that balances the richness of the butter and cheese.
Please see the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions.
How to Make Blue Cheese Wafers
Step 1 – Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and process until a dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Do not overprocess.
Step 2 – Dump the dough onto a flat surface and form it into a 10-inch log. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4-24 hours.
Step 3 – Preheat oven to 375ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the cheese log into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Place about 1 inch apart on the prepared sheet pan. Sprinkle with additional cracked pepper and press into the wafers slightly.
Step 4 – Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serving Suggestions and Pairing
Pair these slice and bake cheese wafers with pepper jelly or fig jam and serve with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, bourbon, or craft beer.
Tips
- Blue cheese – I have used both Gorgonzola blue cheese and Stilton blue cheese. They both work well. Gorgonzola is milder and less pungent.
- Room temperature – Use softened butter and cheese. They will blend much more easily.
- Chilling the dough – Be sure to chill the dough completely! Chilling prevents these wafers from spreading during baking.
- Use your fingers or the smooth bottom of a small glass to gently press the additional cracked black pepper into the tops of the wafers before baking.
- Make ahead friendly: Dough logs freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Slice and bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to bake time.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Variations
- Extra flavor: Add one teaspoon of fresh thyme.
- Extra heat: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Add nuts: For blue cheese pecan wafers, before slicing, roll the dough log in chopped pecans or walnuts for added crunch.
FAQs
Yes, but reduce or eliminate the salt. Blue cheese can be quite salty
The dough likely wasn’t chilled long enough. I like to refrigerate the dough overnight.
You can mix the butter, blue cheese, and pepper in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the flour and mix just until combined. DO NOT OVERMIX.
More Easy Cocktail Appetizer Recipes
Blue Cheese Wafers Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz crumbled Blue Cheese room temperature
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter softened and cubed
- 1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp Cracked black pepper plus more for tops
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade and process until a dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.8 oz crumbled Blue Cheese, 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, 1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour, 3/4 tsp Cracked black pepper
- Dump the dough onto a flat surface and form it into a 10-inch log (about 1 1/2 inches around). Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours.
- Preheat oven to 375ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the cheese log into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Place about 1 inch apart on the prepared sheet pan. Sprinkle with additional cracked pepper and press into the wafers slightly.
- Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Room temperature – Use softened butter and cheese. They will blend much more easily.
- Use your fingers or the smooth bottom of a glass to press the pepper gently into the tops of the wafers before baking.