Seedy Gourmet Crackers

This recipe for Homemade Gourmet Crackers is perfect for entertaining! Made with oats, seeds, and dried fruit, these artisanal crisps are perfect on a cheese plate or eaten on their own. This recipe is very customizable, totally vegan, and easily gluten-free!

What makes these crackers gourmet?

You are making these yourself! While crackers are one of the most accessible snack items to purchase from a store, making your own at home is surprising rewarding. You are able to completely customize the ingredients, spices, and overall flavorings. Since these are primarily made with seeds, nuts, and dried fruit, you are free to mix and match to your own preference. If needed, they can also be made entirely gluten-free.

This recipe is specifically based off of a popular brand sold in Whole Foods, Rustic Bakery. In my area, they run for $6.99 for a 5 oz box. Delicious, but not a great but if you’re hosting a large number of people. This recipe makes around 30 crackers for much less.

Making these is surprisingly simple as well! Instead of forming or initially slicing the crackers individually, we are baking them in a loaf shape. Once fully cooled, we slice the loaf and bake the crackers once more (similar to making biscotti). They crisp up nicely once cool and are perfectly sturdy bases for a variety of jams, dips, spreads and cheeses. Of course, these are especially at home on a cheese board!

Ingredients Needed for this Recipe

• 1 cup unsweetened plain almond milk
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup pumpkin puree (or yogurt)
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour (for a gluten-free version, this can be substituted with 1/4 cup oats and 1/4 cup millet)
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (for a gluten-free version, this can be substituted with 1/4 cup oats and 1/4 cup millet)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries or other small-dice dried fruit
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup rolled oats or thinly sliced pecans
• 1/4 cup seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, or sesame for example)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp dried thyme or rosemary
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• Black pepper
• 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice, optional 

How can I make artisanal crackers that are gluten-free?

Instead of using whole wheat and all purpose flours in this recipe, swap out equal proportions of millet and rolled oats. Spelt flour is lower in gluten so could also be used as a swap. I have not tested this with almond flour; it could work but may produce a much less stable cracker for cutting. This post details a method for freezing and then slicing for crackers, which may be useful if your baked product turns out delicate.

How do you make gourmet crackers at home?

1. Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, combine milk, brown sugar, and pumpkin puree (or yogurt). In a large bowl, combine, flours (oats and millet if using), dried cranberries, baking soda, nuts, and seeds.

3. To dry mixture,  add cinnamon, thyme/rosemary, sea salt, a pinch of black pepper, and pumpkin pie spice if using. Stir to combine. Then, pour wet milk mixture into dry and mix until completely incorporated. It should be relatively thick. Add to prepared loaf pan and bake for 30 minutes.

4. At 25 minute mark, test the loaf to see if a butter knife stuck in the center comes out cleanly. If not, bake for 10-15 more minutes. Mine took 40 minutes in total. Remove from the oven and let cool completely, carefully taking the cracker loaf out of the pan with the parchment paper so that air can circulate. 

5. Once loaf is fully cool (this can take a couple of hours, so feel free to freeze to speed up the process!), use a serrated knife to quickly and carefully cut 2mm thick individual crackers.  Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F and line two baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment. You will have 20-30 crackers depending on how you sliced/the size of your original loaf pan. Lay the crackers down on the prepared sheets side by side and bake for 25-35 minutes, until crisp but not burned. They will firm up further as they cool, so add to a cooling rack once removed from the oven. 

6. Store in an airtight container for up to one month. Serve with your favorite creamy cheeses and dips!

Ways to Customize this Recipe

• Swap out dried cranberries for raisins, apricots, or dates. Just be sure that other fruits are chopped into small pieces, to allow for simple cutting.
• Add crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
• Any dried herb can be used in place of rosemary.
• Add a splash of brandy for an extra-festive flavor!

I hope you love this recipe for homemade gourmet crackers!

More Recipes for Having People Over:

5 Steps to a Perfect Cheese Board

Authentic Hummus

Spicy Peanut Dip

Peanut Butter Cheese Crackers

10 Easy Vegan Appetizers

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