Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to allow easy removal after baking. Cheese can stick, so this step is crucial.
Take your Parmigiano-Reggiano and grate it finely. The finer the cheese, the better the crisps will hold together. You want a light, airy feeling in the mix.
In a mixing bowl, combine the grated cheese, flour, thyme, salt, and pepper. If you’re feeling adventurous, add the optional lemon zest and garlic powder. Give it a good stir until everything is well mixed.
Using a tablespoon, drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each spoonful. They will spread as they bake. Flatten each mound slightly for even baking.
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for about 5-7 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn!
Once they are baked, remove the crisps from the oven. Allow them to cool on the sheet for a couple of minutes. This step is important as they will firm up as they cool.
After they’ve cooled completely, serve them on a platter. If you reserved some fresh thyme, sprinkle it on top as a lovely finishing touch.