Replace the cheddar with Asiago and reduce the Parmesan to 1/4 cup. Sprinkle the cheese straws with fennel seeds and crushed pink peppercorns before baking.
Provolone-Olive
Brush only 1 pastry sheet with egg wash in step 1; brush the other with olive tapenade. Replace the cheddar with aged provolone.
Pepper Jack-Chile
Replace the cheddar with 1 1/2 cups shredded pepper Jack and omit the Parmesan. Add 1/2 teaspoon ancho chile powder and 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile powder to the cheese mixture.
Truffle Thyme
Replace the cheddar with truffled pecorino. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped thyme to the cheese mixture.
Smoky Gruyère
Replace the cheddar with Gruyère. Add 1 teaspoon smoked paprika to the cheese mixture.
