How to Make Homemade Saltine Crackers
Easy homemade saltine crackers with no GMOs or seed oils. Crispy, delicious, and perfect for soups, snacks, and more. Try this clean recipe today!
Saltine crackers are a pantry staple, perfect for pairing with soups, stews, and even as a snack on their own. However, many store-bought crackers contain ingredients you might prefer to avoid, like GMOs, seed oils, and unnecessary additives. That’s where this simple homemade saltine cracker recipe comes in. With just a few wholesome ingredients, you can make delicious, crispy homemade saltine crackers right in your kitchen.
Jump to RecipeWhy Make Homemade Saltine Crackers?
For years, I’ve been on a journey to eliminate GMOs and processed ingredients from my family’s diet. While this has meant more cooking and baking from scratch, the rewards are worth it—cleaner, healthier meals and peace of mind about what we’re eating. But imagine my disappointment when I flipped over the box of our favorite saltine crackers to find ingredients like “bioengineered sources,” corn syrup, soy, and canola oil.
This discovery pushed me to create a homemade alternative. These saltine crackers are free of GMOs, seed oils, and artificial additives, and they taste even better than the store-bought version! (If you want to see a list of some common GMO ingredients check this website out: GMO Ingredient List)
Ingredient List for Store Bought Saltine Crackers:
The Ingredients for homemade saltine crackers:
- Flour: All-purpose flour forms the base of the dough, providing structure and crispiness.
- Butter: Adds flavor and creates the flaky, light texture saltines are known for.
- Salt: Enhances the flavor and adds the classic saltine crunch on top.
- Water: Helps bind the dough together and makes it easy to roll out.
The process:
- Preheat the Oven – Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Mix the Dough – In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and softened butter using a fork. Mix until the mixture resembles fine granules. Gradually add water, starting with 3 tablespoons, and mix well. Continue adding water 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough comes together but isn’t sticky.
- Roll It Thin – Lightly flour your work surface (a sheet of wax paper works great for easy transfer) and roll the dough out to about 1/8-inch thickness. The thinner, the better—your work surface should be faintly visible through the dough.
- Prepare for Baking – Transfer the dough to a baking sheet. If you’ve rolled it out on wax paper, simply lift the paper and place it on the sheet. Sprinkle extra salt on top if desired, and poke holes across the dough with a fork to prevent bubbling.
- Bake to Perfection – Bake for about 10 minutes or until the crackers are lightly golden.
- Cut and Serve – Once baked, use a pizza cutter to cut the crackers into your desired size and shape. Let them cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Pro Tips for Perfect Homemade Saltine Crackers
- Roll Thinly: The thinner the dough, the crispier the crackers. Don’t be afraid to go as thin as possible!
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle your crackers with sea salt, sesame seeds, or even a light dusting of herbs for added flavor.
- Watch the Baking Time: Keep an eye on the crackers after the 8-minute mark. They can go from golden to burnt quickly.
Why Avoid GMOs and Seed Oils?
For years, I’ve made it a priority to cut GMOs and processed ingredients out of my family’s meals. GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are often found in ingredients like corn, soy, and canola, which are commonly used in store-bought crackers.
Not only do GMOs raise concerns for some regarding long-term health impacts, but many processed foods also contain seed oils like canola and soybean oil. These oils are often highly refined and may contain harmful additives. By making these crackers at home, you’re in control of every ingredient, ensuring your snacks are as clean and healthy as possible.
Need some soup inspiration? Check out these!
- Simple and Delicious Farmhouse Potato Soup
- How to Make Delicious Sausage, Kale and Potato Soup
- How To Make Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup
FAQ
- 1. How do I store homemade saltine crackers?
Store your crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them in a sealed bag and thaw as needed. - 2. Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, but keep in mind that whole wheat flour will produce a denser cracker. You may need to add a little more water to the dough. - 3. Can I flavor the crackers?
Absolutely! Try adding garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs to the dough for a unique twist. - 4. Why do I need to poke holes in the dough?
The holes prevent air pockets from forming, ensuring the crackers bake evenly and stay flat.
Homemade Saltine Crackers
Ingredients
- 1 cup of flour
- 2 TB of butter
- 1/2 tsp salt plus additional for sprinkling if desired
- 5-7 TB water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°
- Using a fork combine the flour, salt, and butter until it resembles fine granules.
- Add in 3 TBs of water and mix well.
- Add in water 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough sticks together, but isn’t sticky.
- Lightly flour your work surface (I like to do this on wax paper to make the next step easier) and roll the dough out very thinly. About 1/8”. The dough should so thin you can see the work surface through it.
- Transfer the dough to a baking sheet. (If you’ve done this on wax paper, simple pick the wax paper up and put it on a baking sheet!) Sprinkle some extra salt on the top if desired, and poke with a fork. This will make little holes to keep the crackers from bubbling.
- Bake for about 10 minutes or until light golden brown.
- Once the crackers are baked, cut them into the desired size with a pizza cutter.
