We take a closer look at the popular appetizer and explain what makes up a cheese crisp.
PHOENIX — If you've spent any amount of time in Arizona, chances are you've made your way to one of the many Mexican food restaurants in the state.
From Phoenix to Tucson, you don't have to go far for a fix of tacos, rice and beans, or even a savory green chili burro or red chili tamale. While many states across the desert southwest have a wide array of Mexican-themed offerings, there is one menu item that is a unique Arizona staple.
Say hello to the cheese crisp.
So what exactly is a cheese crisp? Well, a simple explanation is to think of it as an open or flat Quesadilla. It's made with just melted cheese, butter and a crispy tortilla. But unlike the Quesadilla, cheese crisps are made with large, thin flour tortillas, not corn tortillas.
Sometimes called "Sonoran Quesadillas" according to the Simply Recipes website, people oftentimes also add toppings like green chiles for more flavor.
Not much is known about the origins of this appealing appetizer, but on the website, "Everyday Southwest," the author claims cheese crisps originated in the Tucson area and made its way up to the Valley.
This popular appetizer is a staple at the Casa Reynoso restaurant in Tempe. Manager and Cook Joanne Reynoso said the dish has been part of her family's restaurant for decades.
"We've been in the business since 1981," Reynoso proclaimed. "But my nana started making cheese crisps in 1938."
She also said she has a theory of how cheese crisps came to be. And it centers around the tortilla.
PHOTOS: Get hungry with these cheese crisp appetizer pics
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The cheese crisp is a unique Arizona appetizer found in Mexican restaurants in the southwest.
"When you make tortillas, the next day they aren't as soft as they were," Reynoso explained. "So you crisp them up and do something with them."
Nowadays, the crisps are made with fresh tortillas, but nothing goes to waste in the Reynoso kitchen or in the Mexican culture, so making cheese crisps was the perfect use for extra tortillas back in the day.
When asked why she thinks the crisps are so popular with customers, she thought about it and smiled.
"It's just one of those go-to things with salsa over it," she said.
Looks like cheese crisps will continue to be a go-to appetizer for years to come.
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FAQs
An Arizona cheese crisp (simply cheese crisp in the region) is an open-faced, flour tortilla covered in shredded cheese. It is put on a metal pizza pan that has been brushed with butter or margarine and put under a broiler until it gets crisp.
Are cheese crisps an Arizona thing? ›
Here's one of my favorites recipes from my mother—what she calls a "Sonoran Quesadilla," known in Tucson, Arizona where they're from as "cheese crisps".
Where did the Arizona cheese crisp come from? ›
Not much is known about the origins of this appealing appetizer, but on the website, "Everyday Southwest," the author claims cheese crisps originated in the Tucson area and made its way up to the Valley.
How many calories are in a cheese crisp? ›
Calories in Cheese Crisp
| Calories | 355.8 |
|---|
| Total Fat | 20.6 g |
| Saturated Fat | 10.5 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.8 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6.3 g |
8 more rowsIn conclusion, the term “crisps” was invented in the United Kingdom in the 1920s to differentiate between thin-sliced fried potatoes and thicker-cut fries. The name accurately describes the texture of the snack, which is crispy and crunchy.
What cheese has the letter Z in it? ›
Zakusochny is a Russian soft, blue, cow's milk cheese. Zufi is an Italian cow's milk cheese similar to ricotta made in Piedmont.
What is crispy cheese called? ›
Frico. Alternative names. Fricò, fricco, cheese crisp (thin version) Type. Garnish (thin version)
Who made cheese and onion crisps? ›
Spotting a niche in the Irish market, Joe Murphy set up his own crisp factory. Credited with inventing the first ever Cheese & Onion flavoured crisps, the brand name Tayto has now become synonymous with crisps across Ireland.
What was the first Flavoured crisp in the world? ›
Crisps were first mass-produced in the early 20th century, but the first flavoured crisp was released only in the late 50s, after Joe “Spud” Murphy, the owner of the Irish company Tayto, developed a technique to add cheese and onion seasoning during production.
Is cheese healthier than crisps? ›
From a nutrition perspective, per each one ounce serving: The chips have more calories (140 vs 110) and less protein (2g vs 7g) than the cheese—making cheese the winner.
In late 2022, Scharfman's cheesy snack brand was purchased by John B. Sanfilippo & Son Inc., a company with a long history of producing nuts and snacks. The company's portfolio includes brands like Fisher Nuts and Orchard Valley Harvest.
What is the shelf life of whisps cheese crisps? ›
What is the shelf life of Whisps? The shelf life on Whisps Cheese Crisps is 1 year- but dare you to keep them that long!
Is cheese and crackers a desert? ›
Cheese and crackers is a common snack food or hors d'oeuvre consisting of crackers paired with various cheeses. In the United States it has also been served as a dessert, with the addition of ingredients such as jam, jelly, marmalade or preserves.
What state is melted cheese? ›
Basics of melting cheese
When heated, the protein molecules break apart from that structure, freeing the other parts to become fluid. Melting— strictly defined as a phase change from a solid to a liquid—isn't really happening, since the cheese becomes fluid by bringing some parts together and excluding others.
Where did cheese and onion crisps come from? ›
In 1954, the first flavoured crisps were invented by Joe “Spud” Murphy (owner of the Irish company Tayto) who developed a technique to add cheese and onion seasoning during production.
Can you get cheese and onion crisps in America? ›
Amazon.com: Walkers Cheese and Onion Crisps - 1.2 oz - 6 Pack.
