Homemade Crackers (with flavor variations)
I’ve been baking for a while, but I never really thought about making crackers from scratch until recently. I just thought it would be complicated or take a long time. But I was wrong - it turns out homemade crackers are quick and easy to make! And better yet, they can be healthier than store bought crackers since they have less salt and saturated fat. This recipe makes thin, crisp crackers perfect for dipping or snacking on their own. Customize them to your liking by changing up the shapes and flavors. I’ve provided some example flavors in this post, but the sky’s the limit on what you can create!
The Base Ingredients
These crackers are made from a base of all purpose flour, salt, water, and olive oil. I experimented with using a little bit of baking powder, but I found it resulted in something closer to a tiny biscuit than a cracker. Not using a leavener keeps the crackers nice and thin and crisp. I also kept the salt content fairly low in the recipe, but you may find you want to add a little bit more if you plan to eat the crackers without a dip or cheese.
Flavor Suggestions
You can easily customize the crackers to your liking by adding extra ingredients to the base recipe. Try to stick to mostly dry ingredients to maintain the texture. I have not tried this recipe with cheese mixed in, but it’s worth a shot!
Here are some ideas for flavors to get you started:
Garlic & Thyme: 1 tsp garlic powder + 2 tsp dried thyme
Everything: 1 tbsp everything bagel seasoning
Honey Chipotle: 1 tbsp honey + 2 tsp ground chipotle pepper
Onion & Black Pepper: 1 tsp onion powder + 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Mixing the Dough
Prepare the dough by first whisking together your dry ingredients (flour, salt, and any dry add-ins) in a large bowl. Next, add the rest of your ingredients (water, olive oil, and non-dry add-ins) and mix with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until a dough is formed. If you are having trouble getting the last bit of flour to mix in evenly, try folding the dough a few times in your hands.
Rolling and Cutting the Dough
Separate your dough into four portions (they don’t have to be exactly even). Working one at a time, roll out a portion of dough on a silicone baking mat or a piece of parchment paper. You want to roll out the dough very thin, less than 1/8 inch thickness, and make sure it is even thickness throughout. The first few times I tried, I didn’t roll it thin enough all over and the crackers that were in the middle came out a bit too thick.
Cut the dough into your desired shape using a sharp knife or pizza cutter. Keep in mind that smaller pieces and pointy edges will cook faster. Personally, I don’t mind if my crackers aren’t all the exact same size and shape - they are not meant to be perfect.
Bake the Crackers
Transfer the silicone baking mat or parchment paper with the cut dough to a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes until the crackers begin to brown. Time will vary based on size, shape, and personal preference, so make sure you watch them closely. Remove them from the oven and allow the crackers to cool on the pan. They will continue to crisp as they cool.
Enjoy with your favorite cheese or dip or simply eat them on their own as a quick snack.
Homemade Crackers (with flavor variations)
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 2/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- Garlic & Thyme: 1 tsp garlic powder + 2 tsp dried thyme
- Everything: 1 tbsp everything bagel seasoning
- Honey Chipotle: 1 tbsp honey + 2 tsp ground chipotle pepper
- Onion & Black Pepper: 1 tsp onion powder + 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and any dry seasonings you are using.
- Add the water and olive oil. If making the honey chipotle crackers, add the honey now. Mix with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until the ingredients come together into a dough. You may need to fold the dough a couple times with your hands to make sure the ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Divide the dough into four portions. Working one at a time, roll out one portion of dough on a silicone baking mat or a piece of parchment paper. The dough should be rolled out very thin, less than 1/8 inch thickness. Make sure it is even thickness throughout.
- Cut the dough into your desired shapes using a pizza cutter or sharp knife. Repeat for the remaining dough.
- Transfer the silicone baking mat or parchment paper with the cut dough to a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until the crackers begin to brown. Time will vary based on size, shape, and personal preference. Remove from the oven and allow the crackers to cool on the pan. They will continue to crisp as they cool.
