Homemade Crackers, made in less than 30-minutes with fresh herbs, olive oil and a variety of flour choices, make these the best crackers you will ever eat!
Homemade Crackers
Homemade Crackers, made in less than 30-minutes with fresh herbs, olive oil and a variety of flour choices make these the best crackers you will ever eat!
I never skimp on the quality of cheeses, meats, smoked fish and accompaniments on the charcuterie boards I prepare.
So why skimp on crackers or flat bread? Homemade crackers can be whipped up faster than it takes you to assemble a lovely charcuterie board.
Experimenting with various types of flour will produce a variety of textures and flavors. An all time favorite cracker of mine is a Homemade Spelt Cracker.
Mediterranean Homemade Olive Oil Crackers
We, here in America, like to think of crackers as an American food, but in essence it is actually an ancient food.
The Middle East, in particular, often serves meals, such as a Lamb Tajine and Persian Walnut Stew, without forks.
The same is true about serving plant based spreads, such as hummus, almond cheese or baba ganoush, which are served to spread onto flatbread.
Healthy Mediterranean spreads have one thing in common, they all incorporate olive oil to make them moist and flavorful.
Crackers vs Flat Pita Bread
Flatbread, pita and crackers (which are in essence a flatbread), are used to scoop food from communal plates and eaten with fingers instead of tableware.
A solid, firm piece of flatbread or cracker makes it easier to eat a meal without it becoming soggy in the food. Spelt olive oil crackers are perfect for this type of cuisine.
There is little different between a great homemade cracker and a great homemade Flat Pita Bread, except a pinch of yeast to puff them up!
Quality Charcuterie Homemade Cracker
Often when we think of a cracker, we think of a tasteless, pale ole white and dry thing to put our cheese or nut butter on.
Nope! Not in my kitchen! When it comes to homemade crackers, flour is more than just a base, it’s the personality of the dough. Each flour brings its own flavor, texture, and nourishment, subtly changing the way a cracker tastes, snaps, and satisfies, here are just a few:
- Wheat flour – A familiar and dependable choice, wheat flour offers a mild, nutty flavor and a structure that’s easy to work with. It creates crackers that are crisp yet sturdy, with a comforting, classic taste that lets olive oil and sea salt shine. Whole wheat, in particular, adds a deeper flavor and a rustic feel, making crackers taste wholesome and grounding.
- Barley flour – Barley flour brings an earthy, slightly sweet note that feels ancient and hearty. Lower in gluten, it produces a more tender, delicate cracker with a softer crunch. Its subtle sweetness pairs beautifully with olive oil, herbs, and seeds, giving crackers a quietly complex flavor that feels both nourishing and old-world.
- Rice flour – Light and neutral, rice flour creates a crisp, delicate texture with a clean finish. It allows olive oil and seasonings to take center stage, making it ideal for crackers meant to be thin and snappy. Naturally gluten-free, rice flour also lends a gentle lightness that makes these crackers feel almost airy.
- Spelt flour – Spelt is an ancient grain with a slightly sweet, nutty flavor that feels richer than modern wheat. It bakes into crackers that are tender yet crisp, with a depth of flavor that feels both rustic and refined. Many find spelt easier to digest, and its natural warmth pairs especially well with olive oil, rosemary, and flaky salt.
Homemade Crackers vs Store Bought Crackers
A cracker is really simply a balanced ratio between wet and dry ingredients, mixed into a dough, rolled out, cut and baked.
While a store bought cracker is mostly white flour and water, a homemade cracker really gets to be creative with the wet/dry ratio.
When making homemade crackers, olive oil is one of the best wet aspects to add to the dry ingredients for both moisture and flavor.
Homemade crackers don’t last as long as store bought crackers because they don’t have the long list of preservatives in them.
Can’t even imagine what ingredients could make a cracker have the shelf life of a year in my pantry! Good thing homemade crackers can be made in about 30-minutes!
Herbs In Crackers
I can’t tell you how many different variations of dried herbs I’ve used in making homemade crackers because it will all depend on which herbs I have grown and have dried.
But I can tell you that dried herbs in homemade crackers are what give crackers flavor pizazz!
Salt and Crackers
Please tell me that white salt is not the only salt you have in your kitchen!
There are so many varied flavors of salt to add to the zest of homemade crackers you just wouldn’t believe it.
Many of us are familiar with sea salt harvested from seawater. As of late, many more of us have become familiar with Himalayan pink salt and its purest form of salt from salt mines high in the mountains.
But, there are so many other types of salt to bring a distinguished flavor to homemade crackers, that it will make you want to buy a collection of salts just to try them on top your crackers.
My favorite salt? Smoked salt! Slow-smoked salt for weeks over a wood fire. Oh my, this salt tastes amazing on homemade crackers!
Other Homemade Cracker Uses
A batch of homemade crackers will last in an airtight jar for about a week. Try tossing your crackers into a blender or food processor and crush them for further uses.
You now have a great flavor enhancer to toss your chicken or fish in before frying. Use it to thicken gravy.
Dip your crab cakes in before sautéing them and you have an added flavor coating for so many of your favorite home cooked meals.
Ingredients Needed
Homemade crackers are a reminder that the most humble ingredients can create something deeply satisfying. Each one has a purpose, working together to form a dough that’s flavorful, balanced, and beautifully crisp.
- Wheat flour provides the backbone of the cracker, offering structure and a familiar, comforting flavor. It creates a dough that’s easy to roll and bakes into crackers with a reliable crunch, sturdy enough to scoop, yet delicate enough to shatter softly with each bite.
- Barley flour or other favorite flour – Blending in barley flour, or any flour you love, adds character and depth. Barley brings a subtle sweetness and earthy warmth, while other flours can shift the texture or flavor in gentle ways. This is where the recipe becomes personal, allowing you to experiment and make the crackers your own.
- Salt is essential, not only for seasoning but for balance. It sharpens the flavors of the flour and olive oil, ensuring the crackers taste full and satisfying rather than flat. A good-quality sea salt adds a clean, mineral finish.
- Sugar, just a touch of sugar softens the salt and enhances the natural sweetness of the grains. It doesn’t make the crackers sweet, but instead rounds out the flavor and helps them bake to a golden, lightly caramelized finish.
- Olive oil is the heart of these crackers. It adds richness, aroma, and a tender bite while contributing to that irresistible crispness. Choosing a good olive oil means its fruity, peppery notes come through, turning a simple cracker into something quietly luxurious.
- Water brings everything together, transforming dry ingredients into a workable dough. Simple and often overlooked, it allows the flours to hydrate and the olive oil to disperse evenly, creating a smooth, cohesive texture.
- Herbs are where creativity blooms. Fresh or dried, they infuse the dough with fragrance and color, whether it’s rosemary for earthiness, thyme for warmth, or a mix of garden herbs for brightness. Herbs elevate these crackers from everyday to something special, perfect for sharing.
Equipment Needed
Making homemade crackers doesn’t require anything fancy, just a few well-loved kitchen tools that help bring the dough together with ease and care.
- Food processor – A food processor makes quick work of blending the flours, oil, and water into a cohesive dough. It evenly distributes the olive oil and herbs, creating a smooth, well-hydrated mixture without overworking it. While the dough can certainly be mixed by hand, the processor keeps the process effortless and consistent.
- Rolling pin – The rolling pin is key to achieving that perfect cracker crunch. Rolling the dough thin ensures an even bake and a crisp, snappy texture. This step is also where the rhythm of the recipe lives, slow, steady passes that feel almost meditative.
- Baking sheet pan – A sturdy baking sheet provides a flat, even surface for baking. It helps the crackers cook uniformly, allowing the edges to crisp without overbrowning the centers.
- Parchment paper – Parchment paper prevents sticking and makes cleanup simple, but it also encourages even browning. It allows the crackers to release easily, preserving their delicate shape and texture.
- Measuring cup and measuring spoons, because accurate measurements matter when working with dough.
- Oven – The oven is where everything transforms. Steady, even heat turns a simple rolled dough into golden, fragrant crackers with crisp edges and a satisfying snap. It’s the final step that rewards patience and care.
Homemade Olive Oil Crackers
Equipment
- Rimmed Baking Sheet
- pastry wheel or pizza wheel
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups All purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Barley flour or any favorite flour
- 2 tsp Salt
- 2 tsp Sugar
- 4 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 cup Water
- 1 tbsp Dried Herbs optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375
- In a food processor, place dry ingredients and herbs. Pulse. While the machine is running, slowly pour in the oil, followed by the water. It will come together into a ball very quickly. This step can also be done with a hand mixer. If the mixture seems a bit dry, add dribbles of water. If a bit wet, add sprinkles of flour.
- Roll the dough onto a floured parchment paper sheet to about 1/4 inch in thickness. Carefully lift the parchment paper and dough to a baking sheet of equal size. With a pastry wheel, pizza cutter or simply a knife, cut the crackers into the sized you desire.
- Brush the top of the dough with a little water and sprinkle with salt and/or more dried herbs.
- Bake 12 – 15 minutes until golden.
Video
Notes
- Crackers can be cut with a cookie cutter and moved to the baking sheet if desired.
- The top can also be brushed with cream or egg wash for a different glaze, and sprinkled with a huge variety of toppings.
Notes: Crackers can be cut with a cookie cutter and moved to the baking sheet if desired. The top can also be brushed with cream or egg wash for a different glaze, and sprinkled with a huge variety of toppings.
I believe the table... that place that draws people to gather, is the most powerful symbol of togetherness. All that happens before the table is set, the planning, the gathering, the preparing, are all an intricate part of the dance that create the mood of celebration to share with friends and loved ones.