Tips for Making Seed Crackers

Ingredients

The best thing about seed crackers is that they are so versatile that you don’t have to get too caught up on the ingredients themselves. You can experiment with different flavors to find your perfect combination. Like sun-dried tomatoes? Throw them in there. Appreciate a little bit of a kick? Add some black pepper. The only two things you don’t want to change are the ratio of seeds to water and the amount of flax seeds.

• Flax seeds: if you like a nutty flavor, you will really appreciate flax seeds. Of course, the main purpose of flax seeds in this recipe is to bind all the seeds together, but they also add a wonderful nuttiness and earthiness. If you’re not a fan, you could use them in combination with chia seeds, which are practically tasteless.
• Sunflower seeds: shelled sunflower seeds have a mild, nutty flavor and a firm yet tender texture. They add to the textural variety in these crackers, but are not an essential ingredient. If you don’t have them on hand, you can substitute them for coarsely chopped pumpkin seeds or more sesame seeds.
• Sesame seeds: just like sunflower seeds, white sesame seeds have a mild, nutty flavor but are sweeter and chewier. Black sesame seeds are great as  well, but taste slightly bitter as a result of the hulls being present. I typically use a mix of the two.
• Salt: doesn’t salt just make everything taste better? It adds savoriness, brings out nuttiness, and enhances the overall flavor of these crackers. Pink Himalayan salt is my favorite as it is the ultimate mineral-rich seasoning.

How to Make Seed Crackers

Homemade crackers are one of those things that seem to be more effort than they’d be worth. But in reality, making crackers, especially these seed crackers, is surprisingly easy. Ready to learn how to make crackers?

1. Mix together the dry ingredients. Add all the seeds and salt into a large bowl and stir everything until well combined.
2. Add the water. Add the water into the dry ingredients and stir for about a minute or so. You will notice that the mixture begins to thicken.
3. Let the mixture rest. The key to making these crackers work is to allow the flax seeds absorb all the water and gel. A couple of minutes should be all you need. If you don’t let the mixture rest for long enough time, the water will settle out of the mix once you spread it onto the baking sheet. If you let it rest for too long, you’ll have a hard time getting the mixture spread thinly enough.
4. Spread the mixture out. Transfer the mixture onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet (you might need to use more than one) and spread it into an even, thin layer. Make sure you spread the mixture as evenly as possible. The thickness of the crackers is up to you. Thinner crackers will be more delicate but more prone to breaking. Thicker crackers will be sturdier. Score the mixture into desired shapes. If you’re going for a more rustic look, skip the scoring.
5. Bake/dehydrate. You can either bake or dehydrate the crackers. Personally, I prefer the baked version. The higher oven temperature just gives the crackers more of a golden color and toastier flavor. When baking, start with a low temperature, about 300ºF/150ºC, so the crackers dry out without getting brown too early. You can adjust the baking time (+/- 10 minutes) depending on how golden and crispy you prefer your seeds to be. You can also increase the oven temperature to up to 350ºF/177ºC, but keep an eye on the crackers because they can burn quickly.
6. Cool. Transfer the baked cracker onto a cooling rack, so air can circulate and no condensation — the killer of crunch — takes hold. The higher the baking temperature, the more condensation can form. Once cool, break the cracker along the scored lines. If you haven’t scored the cracker beforehand, just break it apart into pieces.

Seed Crackers Variations

The most amazing thing about this recipe is customizability. There are endless possibilities and combinations to explore. Like garlic? Mince it and throw it in there. Italian herbs? Delicious. Sun-dried tomatoes? A great idea! You can also reduce the amount of salt, half-dip the crackers in dark chocolate, and let them set. It’s the perfect mix of sweet and salty.

I usually divide the mixture and make a few different types of crackers from one batch.

How to Store Seed Crackers

• Room temperature: transfer the crackers into an airtight container and store in a cool, dry, and dark place for up to 2 weeks.
• Refrigerating: transfer the crackers into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 month.
• Freezing: transfer the crackers into an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. 

If the crackers soften while storing (they shouldn’t if you keep them in an airtight container), toast them in the oven on a baking sheet at 300ºF/150°C for 5 to 7 minutes. After cooling, the crackers will become crispy again.

More Seed Crackers Recipes

Judging from the number of crackers recipes with nuts and/or seeds on my blog, I am clearly a fan.

• Flaxseed crackers: these crackers are perhaps the most popular on the blog. They are made entirely from flaxseeds, so other than being slightly nutty, they are very neutral in flavor. Flax seeds are a weak binder, but since there are no ingredients to bind (other than the flax seeds themselves), the crackers are quite sturdy.
• Nut & seed crackers: my absolute favorite seed crackers. Nutty, crunchy, and because the main binder is psyllium – a strong binder – the crackers are also very sturdy.
• Chia seed crackers: if you’re looking for seed crackers with a bread-like texture, this recipe is it! These crackers have a slightly sweet, nutty flavor and a crunchy, bread-like texture. They are also sturdy enough to scoop up the thickest dip.