Frico Recipe: How to Make Cheese Crisps at Home

Frico are crispy baked crackers made from Parmesan cheese. These thin, lacy crackers originated in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of Northern Italy, and home cooks commonly serve frico as an appetizer, garnish, or cheese plate addition.

The term “frico” can also refer to Frico Friulano, a pancake-like Italian dish that similarly consists of melted cheese combined with hearty ingredients like potatoes.

Once you’ve mastered this super-simple Friulian recipe, you’ll find yourself adding frico to every one of your antipasto spreads. Follow these tips to make the best frico possible:

1. 1. Incorporate different ingredients. Use this simple one-ingredient recipe as a springboard to experiment with different flavor combinations. Swap the Parmesan for Grana Padano, pecorino, asiago, or Montasio cheese. Add black pepper for a cacio e pepe–style frico, or sprinkle on additional dried herbs and seasonings for freshness.
2. 2. Experiment with different shapes. Make circular, flat frico, or drape them over molds so that they dry in novel shapes. Shape the frico immediately after baking, before the crackers harden. Drape your hot cracker over a wine bottle or rolling pin for a curved shape. Roll it around the handle of a wooden spoon for a tuile-shaped frico, or press it over an inverted muffin pan to create a miniature frico bowl.
3. 3. Store properly. These delicate crackers are best enjoyed immediately out of the oven, but leftovers will keep in an airtight container on the counter for up to three days. Cool the frico crackers to room temperature before storing them.

This versatile dish has many delectable uses. Serve frico as a savory snack on its own or a tasty cheese or charcuterie board addition. Use whole or crumbled frico to top various salads, from a Caesar salad to a shaved fennel salad.

Alternatively, serve frico on the side of a bowl of soup, like tomato soup, sprinkle it over a creamy polenta dish, or atop pesto pasta.