Crackers, with their satisfying crunch and versatility, are a beloved snack for many. But traditional crackers, typically made with wheat or rice flour, are often off-limits for those following a ketogenic diet. Fortunately, the growing popularity of keto has led to a surge in low-carb cracker options, both store-bought and homemade. This article explores the world of keto crackers, providing information on ingredients, recipes, popular brands, and considerations for making the right choice.
The Allure of Crackers
Crackers naturally bring smiles. They make snack time more fun and are perfect for on-the-go snacking, a cheesy addition to a packed lunch, or even just a quick bite around the house. Crackers are great to bring along on field trips, camping, hiking, trips to the park, picnics, outdoor concerts, everyday errands, and more.
With numerous delicious flavors from brands like Cheez-It, Pepperidge Farm, Ritz, Goldfish, and Animal Crackers, there’s a cracker favorite for everyone. Each bite is loaded with bold and wholesome flavor that hits your taste buds with every delicious mouthful. You’ll love the satisfying flavor in every delicious bite.
Crackers make crispy, savory road trip treats, quick after-school snacks, and simple party snacks. Enjoy these snack chips straight from the bag or dip them into your favorite spreads! With no artificial flavors or preservatives, crackers are a snack the whole family will adore. The colored ones are sourced from plants, like using a mix of beet juice concentrate and paprika extracted from sweet red peppers. Green comes from watermelon and huito juice concentrates mixed with extracted turmeric. The red orange is colored with paprika extracted from sweet red peppers and many more.
Select from cheese crisps, gluten-free thins, toasted ones, or baked crackers. You can also select crackers based on ingredients like wheat flour, toasted in olive oil, chicken, garlic, onions, wholesome non-GMO ingredients, and many more. Walk into your nearest Target store or order online, as there’s no occasion that crackers can’t make richer, from movie nights to office snacks to study sessions.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
The Keto Challenge: Reimagining the Cracker
Logically, keto crackers shouldn’t exist. Crackers are traditionally made with either wheat or rice flour, neither of which fits cleanly into a low-carb, high-fat diet. The challenge for keto enthusiasts is to recreate the satisfying crunch and flavor of traditional crackers using alternative, low-carb ingredients.
Core Ingredients in Keto Crackers
The foundation of most keto crackers relies on replacing high-carb flours with low-carb alternatives. Here are some key ingredients:
- Almond Flour: This is a popular choice due to its mild flavor and fine texture. Blanched almond flour, in particular, is preferred over almond meal for a smoother result.
- Cheese: Cheese not only adds flavor but also contributes to the crispiness and structure of the cracker. Cheddar cheese is often favored for its ability to bind ingredients well.
- Seeds: Flax, sunflower, and chia seeds are frequently incorporated for added fiber, nutrients, and a satisfying crunch.
- Egg Whites: These can act as a binding agent, especially in recipes that minimize or eliminate cheese.
- Coconut Oil: A source of healthy fats, melted coconut oil can add moisture and richness to the dough.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and everything bagel seasoning are common additions to enhance the flavor profile.
Homemade Keto Cracker Recipes
Creating your own keto crackers allows for complete control over ingredients and flavors. Here's a basic recipe that can be customized to your liking:
Two-Ingredient Keto Crackers
These keto crackers are made with just 2 ingredients: almond flour and cheese. These low carb crackers were adapted from my keto tortilla chips. By flattening out the dough to become a little bit thinner and switching out the cheese used, I was able to create my own keto version of wheat thins. Perfect cracker texture and flavor. Quick and easy. No chill time or excessive prep is needed, nor any fancy kitchen gadgets. Customizable. For a more plain cracker, you can easily skip the cheese. You can also add spices and seasonings of choice. Love savory keto snacks?
Ingredients:
- Almond flour. You want to use blanched almond flour, and not almond meal.
- Shredded cheese. I used cheddar cheese, as it gives the crackers extra crispiness and holds together the best.
- Salt and pepper. To taste.
- Water.
Instructions:
- Make the dough: Add almond flour and shredded cheese to a food processor or high-speed blender and blend well until a dough appears. If the dough is too crumbly, add a little water.
- Roll out: Place the dough onto a piece of parchment paper, and place another piece of parchment paper on top. Roll it out until flat and thin. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into squares.
- Bake: Place the crackers onto a lined baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes before flipping and cooking for a further 5 minutes. Use a pizza cutter to cut up the dough into crackers. It will be infinitely easier to slice more evenly. Do not overbake the crackers, as they continue to crisp up as they are cooling down. Feel free to add some spices to the dough to give it extra flavor.
- Cool and Store: Allow the crackers to cool completely on the baking sheet. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze in a ziplock bag for up to 2 months.
Air Fryer Option:
If you own an air fryer, you can save time by baking them there instead. Simply prepare the crackers as directed and place them on a single layer in the air fryer basket. ‘Fry’ at 200C/400F for 7-8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Cheese-Free Variation:
If you’d like to make plain keto crackers, replace the cheese with 1 large egg and 1 tablespoon of melted coconut oil.
Reviving Soft Crackers:
If your cooled crackers have become slightly soft, you can quickly remedy it. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.In a high speed blender or food processor, add your almond flour, shredded cheese, and salt, and blend well, until a dough remains. If the dough is too crumbly, add a tablespoon or two of water. Line a large sheet of parchment paper on a flat kitchen surface. Transfer the dough onto it and place another sheet of parchment paper on top. Press down on the dough, before rolling it out using a rolling pin, until around 1/4 inch in thickness. Using a pizza cutter, slice up squares to form crackers. Transfer the crackers onto the lined sheet. Bake for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. TO STORE: Store crackers at room temperature, in a sealed container. They will remain fresh for at least 3 days. TO FREEZE: Place crackers in a ziplock bag and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Popular Store-Bought Keto Cracker Brands
For those who prefer the convenience of store-bought options, several brands offer keto-friendly crackers:
- HighKey Keto Crackers: These crackers are thick and more like crumbly pita chips than traditional crackers. They are made from a blend of almond flour, cheddar cheese, egg whites, and spices. Garlic and onion powder flavors are prominent, and the cheese flavor is strong. The Cheddar crackers have a baked-in Cheez-It flavor and a satisfying crunch.
- Keto Naturals Keto Friendly Crackers: These crackers are made with a nut and seed flour blend that includes almonds, sesame seeds, and flax seeds, plus tapioca fiber, egg whites, and butter. They are less thick and dense than other brands, with a pleasant neutral flavor. The Cheddar & Onion flavored crackers are very cheesy and have a traditional crackery flavor.
- Simple Truth Organic® Keto Grain Free Seed Crackers: These crackers are made with organically grown ingredients, air-dried, and combined with a blend of flax, sunflower, and chia seeds. They are topped with a savory Everything Seasoning. These crackers are USDA organic, non-GMO, vegan, and gluten-free, with 4g net carbs, 90 calories, and 4g of fiber per serving.
Considerations When Choosing Keto Crackers
- Ingredients: Carefully examine the ingredient list to ensure the crackers align with your dietary needs and preferences. Watch out for hidden sugars, starches, or artificial additives.
- Net Carb Count: Pay attention to the net carb count per serving to stay within your daily carbohydrate limit.
- Taste and Texture: Keto crackers can vary significantly in taste and texture. Experiment with different brands and recipes to find your favorites.
- Price: Keto crackers can be more expensive than traditional crackers. Consider the cost per serving when making your selection.
Serving Suggestions for Keto Crackers
Keto crackers are versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways:
- With Cheese and Charcuterie: Create a keto-friendly cheese board with a selection of cheeses, cured meats, and keto crackers.
- With Dips: Pair keto crackers with your favorite low-carb dips, such as guacamole, spinach artichoke dip, or cream cheese-based dips.
- As a Cracker Substitute: Use keto crackers in place of traditional crackers in recipes like mini pizzas or canapés.
- As a Snack on Their Own: Enjoy keto crackers as a quick and satisfying snack on their own.
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