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{{short description|Baked cheese crackers}}
{{for|the cheese curl snack|Cheezies}}
{{refimprove|date=March 2020}}
{{infobox brand
| name                   = Cheez-It
| logo = Cheez-It Logo.svg
| logo_size = 200px
| image     = Cheez-It-Crackers.jpg 
| image_size = 250px
| type                   = [[Cracker (food)|Cracker]]
| currentowner           = [[Kellogg's|Kellanova (Kellogg's)]]<br>''([[Sunshine Biscuits]])''
| origin                 = 
| introduced             = {{start date and age|1921}}
| related                = 
| markets                = 
| previousowners         = Green & Green Company (1921–1932)<br>[[Sunshine Biscuits]] (1932–1996)<br>[[Keebler Company]] (1996–2001)
| trademarkregistrations = 
| website                = {{url|https://www.cheezit.com/en_US/home.html|cheezit.com}}
}}

'''Cheez-It''' is a brand of [[cheese crackers]] manufactured by [[Kellogg's|Kellanova]] through its [[Sunshine Biscuits]] division. Approximately {{convert|26|by|24|mm|abbr=on|sp=us|in|sigfig=2}}, the rectangular crackers are made with [[wheat]] [[flour]], [[vegetable oil]], [[cheese]], [[skim milk]], [[Salt#Edible salt|salt]], and [[spice]]s.

==History==
The history of Cheez-It crackers began in 1907, when Weston Green founded the Green & Green Company in [[Dayton, Ohio]].<ref name="Robinson">{{cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Amelia |title=Dayton's little-known Cheezy past|url=http://seenandoverheard.blog.dayton.com/2015/08/21/daytons-little-known-cheezy-past/ |website =Dayton.com |publisher=[[Cox Media Group]] |access-date=25 October 2017 |archive-date=25 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025132246/http://seenandoverheard.blog.dayton.com/2015/08/21/daytons-little-known-cheezy-past/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Green's company produced a variety of baked snack foods such as Dayton crackers, graham crackers, gingersnaps, and, during [[World War I]], [[hardtack]]. On March 31, 1921, Green introduced Cheez-It crackers, commonly called Cheez-Its, as a new product. The company marketed the cracker as a "baked [[Welsh rarebit|rarebit]]", a reference to a dish of melted cheese over toast. On May 23, 1921, the first Cheez-It logo was submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.<ref name="Robinson"/><ref name="Powell 2021">{{cite web |last=Powell |first=Lisa |title=Celebrate the Cheez-It! The crispy crackers were invented in Dayton more than 100 years ago |website=Dayton.com |publisher=Cox Media Group |date=March 22, 2021 |url=https://www.dayton.com/what-to-know/happy-birthday-cheez-it-the-crispy-crackers-were-invented-in-dayton-100-years-ago/37NH5YMDH5FP3EBMQPAQUU2IF4/ |access-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730022941/https://www.dayton.com/what-to-know/happy-birthday-cheez-it-the-crispy-crackers-were-invented-in-dayton-100-years-ago/37NH5YMDH5FP3EBMQPAQUU2IF4/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Robinson 2020">{{cite web |last=Robinson |first=Amelia |title=Were Cheez-Its really invented in Dayton? Yes, and here's the story |website=Dayton.com |publisher=Cox Media Group |date=April 30, 2020 |url=https://www.dayton.com/blog/seen-and-overheard/were-cheez-its-really-invented-dayton-yes-and-here-the-story/w4gZxZzIAczWdUSR2ow71I/ |access-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730022940/https://www.dayton.com/blog/seen-and-overheard/were-cheez-its-really-invented-dayton-yes-and-here-the-story/w4gZxZzIAczWdUSR2ow71I/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Smithsonian 2021">{{cite web | title=A Brief History of the Cheez-It | website=Smithsonian Magazine | date=May 21, 2021 | url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/brief-history-cheez-it-180977777/ | access-date=July 30, 2023 | archive-date=June 5, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605170540/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/brief-history-cheez-it-180977777/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

In the early 1930s, the [[Kansas City]]-based Sunshine Biscuits (which was known as the Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company until 1947) acquired the Green & Green Company, and with it came the Cheez-It cracker. Sunshine Biscuits expanded the distribution and popularity of Cheez-It crackers across the country. In 1996, [[Keebler Company|Keebler]] acquired Sunshine Biscuits, and in 2001, [[Kellogg's]] acquired Keebler, bringing Cheez-It crackers under its umbrella.<ref name="Smithsonian 2021" /><ref name="Mason 2024">{{cite web |last1=Mason |first1=Randy |last2=Davis |first2=Monty |title=Inside the KCK factory where one of America's most popular snack foods is made |website=Kansas City Star |date=August 8, 2024 |url=https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article290632274.html |access-date=December 22, 2024}}</ref> In late 2023, Kellogg's spun off its North American cereal division as [[WK Kellogg Co]]. The company's snack food business, including Cheez-It, became part of the renamed Kellanova.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Oguh |first1=Chibuike |last2=Vanaik |first2=Granth |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Kellanova, WK Kellogg shares slump on first day after spinoff |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/kellanova-wk-kellogg-shares-slump-first-day-after-spinoff-2023-10-02/ |work=Reuters |access-date=2024-01-07 |archive-date=2023-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202004233/https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/kellanova-wk-kellogg-shares-slump-first-day-after-spinoff-2023-10-02/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |last=Company |first=Kellogg |title=KELLOGG COMPANY BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES SEPARATION INTO TWO COMPANIES, KELLANOVA AND WK KELLOGG CO |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kellogg-company-board-of-directors-approves-separation-into-two-companies-kellanova-and-wk-kellogg-co-301922760.html |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en |archive-date=2023-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913071558/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kellogg-company-board-of-directors-approves-separation-into-two-companies-kellanova-and-wk-kellogg-co-301922760.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On August 14, 2024, Kellanova announced Mars Inc., has entered into an agreement to acquire the Kellanova brand.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fisher |first1=Justine |title=Mars to acquire snack maker Kellanova in $36 billion deal |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/14/mars-to-acquire-kellanova-in-36-billion-deal-.html |access-date=25 March 2025 |work=CNBC |date=14 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref> The deal is anticipated to close early in 2025.

Cheez-Its were officially launched in Canada in January 2020,<ref name="Canadify 2020">{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Bill |title=New Cheez-It Crackers Now Available In Canada |website=Canadify |date=January 23, 2020 |url=https://canadify.com/2020/01/23/new-cheez-it-crackers-now-available-in-canada/ |access-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731040516/https://canadify.com/2020/01/23/new-cheez-it-crackers-now-available-in-canada/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Kellogg Canada 2020">{{cite press release |title=Cheez-It Makes a Crunch in Canadian Market |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/cheez-it-makes-a-crunch-in-canadian-market-861194951.html |location=Mississauga, Ontario |publisher=Kellogg Canada |date=January 22, 2020 |access-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731040515/https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/cheez-it-makes-a-crunch-in-canadian-market-861194951.html |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as Australia in April 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-26 |title=US snack Cheez-Its Snap'd now available in Australian supermarkets - News + Articles - delicious.com.au |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526111704/https://www.delicious.com.au/food-files/news-articles/article/us-snack-cheez-snapd-now-available-australian-supermarkets/hxzxt4qx?nk=f1a364fad1cdd5faef1aa8b834e9038e-1716722224 |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref>  Ireland and the United Kingdom followed in September 2024.<ref name="Kellanova 2024">{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Kellanova's Cheez-It Brand Arrives in the UK & Ireland to Delight European Tastebuds |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kellanovas-cheez-it-brand-arrives-in-the-uk--ireland-to-delight-european-tastebuds-302243779.html |location=Chicago |publisher=Kellanova |agency=PR Newswire |date=September 10, 2024 |access-date= November 26, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Sosland 2024">{{cite web |last=Sosland |first=Zachary |title=Cheez-It items will be available in UK |website=Food Business News |date=July 10, 2024 |url=https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/26389-cheez-it-items-will-be-available-in-uk |access-date=November 26, 2024}}</ref>

==Cracker==
Cheez-It crackers are {{convert|26|by|24|mm|in|sigfig=2|sp=us|adj=on}} rectangles, though they are often believed to be square shaped.<ref name="Ganz 2023">{{cite web |last=Ganz |first=Stephanie |title=Why Cheez-Its have been anything but square since 1921 |website=Quartz |date=November 15, 2023 |url=https://qz.com/emails/quartz-obsession/1851020789/cheez-its-making-that-cheddar |access-date=February 23, 2024 |quote=Despite marketing themselves as a square-shaped cracker, Cheez-Its measure 26 x 24 mm (1.0 by 0.94 in), making them technically rectangular. |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223001033/https://qz.com/emails/quartz-obsession/1851020789/cheez-its-making-that-cheddar |url-status=live }}</ref> Cheez-It crackers are made with actual cheese, and are marketed by Kellogg's as such.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Patterson Broome |first1=Mary |date=June 18, 2019 |title=The Untold Truth Of Cheez-It Crackers |url=https://www.mashed.com/155875/the-untold-truth-of-cheez-it-crackers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125112310/https://www.mashed.com/155875/the-untold-truth-of-cheez-it-crackers/ |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |access-date=February 11, 2021 |publisher=Mashed.com}}</ref>

== Flavors and types ==
[[File:2020-09-29 21 09 38 A sample of Cheddar Sour Cream and Onion Cheez-It Snap'd in the Dulles section of Sterling, Loudoun County, Virginia.jpg|thumb|Cheddar Sour Cream and Onion Cheez-It Snap'd]]
The original Cheez-It  was the only product available until the 1980s; since then, there have been over 50 different varieties of Cheez-It flavors and products, including:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cheezit.com/en_US/products.html |title=Cheez-It Baked Snack Crackers |publisher=Cheez-it.com |access-date=2016-09-18 |archive-date=2016-09-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912180621/https://www.cheezit.com/en_US/products.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{colbegin|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Buffalo Wing]]
* [[Cheddar Jack]]
* Cheez-It Big (a larger cracker more suitable for garnishing or dipping)
* Cheese [[Pizza]]
* [[Chipotle]] Cheddar
* Duoz Sharp Cheddar & Parmesan
* Duoz Bacon & Cheddar
* Duoz [[Jalapeño]] & Cheddar Jack
* Extra Toasty
* Extra Toasty Cheddar Jack
* Extra Big
* Extra Cheesy
* Extra Crunchy
* Gripz "mighty tiny"
* Grooves Bold Cheddar
* Grooves Sharp White Cheddar
* Grooves Zesty Cheddar Ranch
* Grooves Scorchin' Hot Cheddar
* Hot & Spicy (without [[Tabasco sauce]])
* Italian Four Cheese
* [[Mozzarella]]
* Original
* [[Pepper Jack]]
* Provolone (with real hickory smoke flavor added)
* Puff'd
* Queso Fundido
* Reduced Fat
* Reduced Fat White Cheddar
* Scrabble Junior
* Sizzlin' Bacon (limited availability)
* Smoked Cheddar
* Snack Mix
* Snack Mix Double Cheese
* Snack Mix Sweet & Salty
* Snap'd
* Snap'd Cheese Sour Cream & onion
* Snap'd Double Cheese
* Snap'd Jalapeño Jack
* Snap'd Barbecue
* [[White cheddar|White Cheddar]]
* Whole Grain

{{colend}}

Cheez-It Grooves is available in Canada as Cheez-It Crunch.

===Discontinued===
{{refimprove|section|date=May 2020}}
Discontinued Cheez-It varieties include:

{{colbegin|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Asiago cheese|Asiago]]
* Atomic Cheddar
* Baby Swiss
* Barbecue & Cheddar Snack Mix
* Chili Cheese
* [[Colby-Jack|Colby]]
* Duoz Smoked Cheddar and Monterey Jack
* Duoz Zesty Queso and Cheddar Blanco
* Hot & Spicy (with [[Tabasco sauce]])
* Hot & Spicy Grooves
* Nacho
* [[Parmesan]] & [[Garlic]]
* [[Romano cheese|Romano]]
* Snack Mix [[Sriracha]]<ref>{{cite tweet |user=cheezit |number=1119692122448379904 |title=Unfortunately, we did end up discontinuing our Sriracha Snack Mix. |date=Apr 20, 2019 |access-date=October 27, 2019}}</ref>
* Twists Buffalo Bleu
* Zingz Chipotle Cheddar
* Zingz Queso Fundido{{colend}}

==See also==
* [[Cheese Nips]], a former competing brand of cheese cracker 
* [[Cheez-It Bowl (2018–2019)]], sponsored by Cheez-It and played in Arizona in 2018 and 2019
* [[Pop-Tarts Bowl|Cheez-It Bowl (2020–2022)]], sponsored by Cheez-It and played in Florida from 2020 through 2022
* [[Citrus Bowl]], played in Florida and sponsored by Cheez-It starting with the January 2023 edition

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{Cite web |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/brief-history-cheez-it-180977777/ |title=A Brief History of the Cheez-It |author=Leo DeLuca |date=May 21, 2021 |work=Smithsonian Magazine |accessdate=November 17, 2021}}<!--this could be used to expand the article if anybody ever wants-->

{{Kellogg's}}

[[Category:Brand name crackers]]
[[Category:Cheese]]
[[Category:History of Dayton, Ohio]]
[[Category:Kellogg's brands]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 1921]]