For those following a ketogenic diet, finding satisfying and healthy snacks can be a challenge. These homemade flax crackers offer a crispy, crunchy, and flavorful alternative to traditional crackers, while also providing a good dose of fiber, protein, and healthy fats. They're not just low-carb and gluten-free; they're also incredibly easy to make.
Why Flax Crackers?
Flaxseed crackers are a fantastic gluten-free staple to have around. When grains are out of the equation on a low-carb diet, options like Ryvita are off-limits. While store-bought keto crackers exist, they can be expensive. This recipe offers a simple and cost-effective solution.
Flaxseed is loaded with nutrients and is high in fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as being a rich source of vitamins and minerals.
Ingredients
Here are a few variations of ingredients that you can use:
Basic Recipe (2 Ingredients)
- Flax seeds
- Water
Simple Keto Flax Crackers
- Milled Flaxseed
- Water
- Olive oil
Keto Flax Crackers with Parmesan
- Ground flax seeds
- Almond flour
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Eggs
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
Low Carb Flax and Chia Seed Keto Crackers
- Flax seeds
- Chia seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Sesame seeds
- Za'atar or other herbs and spices
Note: Make sure you use milled or ground flaxseed, not whole. You can use both brown or golden flaxseed.
Read also: Healthy Keto Mug Cake Recipe
Instructions
Basic Method
- Combine the flax seeds, rosemary, salt, and water in a bowl.
- Stir the mixture a few times, then place it in the fridge overnight (or for at least 4 hours).
- Spread the flaxseed mixture on top of a piece of parchment paper.
- Place another piece of parchment over the flax and use a rolling pin to roll the flax mixture into a large rectangle (that will fit on a baking sheet). The crackers should be about ⅛" thick.
- Place the crackers in the oven and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.
- After baking for 30 minutes, remove the crackers from the oven and gently peel off the top sheet of parchment.
- Cut the crackers to desired size.
Keto Flax Crackers with Parmesan
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the dry ingredients (ground flax, almond flour, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt) and mix well.
- Get out a small mixing bowl and add the egg, then mix the beaten egg into the dry ingredients to form a dough.
- Place the dough on the cookie sheet and roll out to make a uniform thin rectangle. For a thinner layer, spray another piece of parchment paper or wax paper and press down on the dough, then use a rolling pin to make a thin, uniform layer. The thinner the layer, the quicker they will bake.
- Take a butter knife or pizza cutter and score the dough into squares to form the crackers. Try not to cut all the way through so that you can flip the whole thing halfway through.
- Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Take out of the oven and carefully flip with a big spatula. Place back in the oven for 10 more minutes. If the edges are browning, break off the crackers and place back in the oven for 5-minute increments until they are cooked to your liking.
- Break off the individual crackers as they brown and continue until they are all done.
- Let them cool before eating. They will be crunchier when they cool off.
Low Carb Flax and Chia Seed Keto Crackers
- Soak the flax and chia seeds in water until they absorb the water, thicken, and form a seed-based "dough."
- Add more raw seeds like pumpkin and sunflower seeds. Another good option is to add raw sesame seeds.
- Choose your favorite seasoning.
- Spread the mixture evenly on the lined baking sheet and bake at low and slow for 90 minutes. Make sure you line the baking sheet with parchment paper to make flipping the crackers as easy as possible and to prevent them from sticking to the baking sheet.
- Remove the crackers from the oven and flip the baking sheet onto the second lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 200F for 90 minutes.
Tips for the Perfect Keto Flax Crackers
- Roll Thin: The thinner you roll the dough, the crispier the crackers will be.
- Low and Slow: The secret to making crunchy flax cracker crisps is to cook them slowly and at a low temperature.
- Watch Carefully: Like any cracker, it needs to be watched carefully, so don’t rely on the timer.
- Even Baking: Rotate the baking sheet during baking to even out the browning. If some of the crackers are browned completely but others aren't, simply remove the ones that are done and give the rest a little more oven time.
- Cooling: The crackers may seem a bit soft right out of the oven, but they will crisp up as they cool.
- Scoring: Score the dough into squares before baking for easy separation after baking.
Flavor Variations
One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. You can easily customize the flavor to suit your preferences. Here are a few ideas:
- Everything Bagel: Use everything bagel seasoning (skip the salt if using this).
- Italian: Add extra Italian seasoning.
- Rosemary or Thyme: Add rosemary or thyme for an herby flavor.
- Sun-dried Tomato and Basil: Add finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes and ground basil.
- Garlic & Onion: 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 3/4 teaspoons dehydrated onion flakes
- Thyme & Basil: 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Rosemary: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Za'atar: Use Za'atar for a savory, Middle Eastern-inspired flavor. You can add any fresh or dry herbs and spices you’d like. Onion powder and garlic powder will work if you want something more savory.
Serving Suggestions
These low-carb crackers are delicious on their own, but they're also great with a variety of toppings and dips:
- Cheese
- Spreads like hummus, guacamole, or tzatziki
- Cold cuts
- Butter
- Sun butter
- Artichoke hummus
Storage
Store leftover flax seed crackers in an airtight container or ziplock bag. To prolong their shelf life, store them in the refrigerator. These should be good for two weeks or longer.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving - Varies Based on Recipe)
- Calories: Approximately 17 calories per cracker (Keto Flax Crackers with Parmesan)
- Net Carbs: Approximately 0.1g net carbs per cracker (Keto Flax Crackers with Parmesan) or 0.3g net carbs per serving of 4 crackers (Simple Keto Flax Crackers)
- Protein: Approximately 1.1g protein per cracker (Keto Flax Crackers with Parmesan)
- Fiber: 7g
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Read also: Low-Carb Crackers at ALDI