I rarely use the term life-changing to describe a recipe, but this cracker recipe truly changed my life! It was the very first video of mine to go viral on social media, just a few months after I started posting, and it brought so many of you to connect on our page. It gave me the confidence to keep going and reassured me that I was on the right path. That was three years ago—what an incredible journey it has been since!
I’ve been reposting this recipe every year, and I thought it was time for a bit of video update, because they are too good not to share! I’m so excited to share it with you, especially if you haven’t seen it yet! There’s a good reason why thousands of people on Instagram swear by this recipe. It’s so easy to make, tastes delicious, is allergy-friendly, nutrient-packed, and much more affordable than the high-quality crackers you’d find at the store. Trust me, you’ll never want to get store-bought again!
These nutrient-packed Healthy Seeded Crackers are the perfect healthy snack. You’re free to use any combo of seeds that you prefer. To promote plant diversity, aim for at least three different types. You can use a mix of hemp, flax, sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, and poppy seeds, or pick and choose your favorites! To sneak in some much-loved legumes, we’ve also incorporated chickpea flour, also known as besan, which also has the bonus of being gluten-free.
Why I Love This Recipe (As a Nutritionist)
- Super easy: I used to be intimidated by the idea of making my own crackers, but it couldn’t be easier! They take about 5 minutes of actual work and taste so good, you’ll never want store-bought again. They are also a lot more affordable than most healthy cracker alternatives.
- Nutrient-Packed: Loaded with micronutrients, fiber, and omega-3s, these crackers are a nutritious choice. They are a great snacks for the little ones lunch boxes (my little niece LOVES them – just hold the chili flakes), and I love making a batch when hosting or to bring to a get together. They also make for a nutrient-dense crunchy salad topping.
- Allergy-friendly: gluten-free, nut-free, and vegan these crackers are great for everyone!
- Diverse Seed Mix: Combining hemp, flax, sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, or poppy seeds for a flavorful crunch, and to score some plant-diversity points (which is great for gut health)!
- Delicious: For seasonings, I used a mix of nutritional yeast, oregano, garlic, and chili flakes, it’s super flavorful but also versatile! Feel free to experiment with your favorite spices to make it your own, and compliment the dips you’re enjoying it with.
- Perfect Texture: A delightful crunch, so satisfying.
Ingredient Notes
- Chickpea Flour: A gluten-free, fiber and protein-rich alternative, adding depth to the crackers’ nutritional profile. Raw chickpea flour tastes pretty bitter, so I do not recommend tasting the batter! It is, however, delicious once cooked.
- Seed Variety: A mix of seeds, each adding unique nutritional benefits and flavors. Feel free to experiment with different combinations. I recommend using at least 2/3 cups of smaller seeds.
- Nutritional Yeast: Provides a cheesy, umami flavor while being rich in B vitamins and protein. You can skip the nutritional yeast and add more of the seasonings if you’d like.
- Flavorful Spices: Oregano, garlic, and chili flakes create a complex taste profile that’s both delicious and aromatic. Feel free to experiment with your own
Step-By-Step Instructions
Start by adding all the dry ingredients, including mixed seeds, nutritional yeast, oregano, garlic, chili flakes (optional for heat), and salt, to a large mixing bowl. Pour in olive oil and warm water, stirring until everything is well combined. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes, allowing the chickpea flour and seeds to absorb the liquids, which will make the dough easier to manage.
Once the dough has rested, transfer it onto a piece of baking paper, which aids in rolling and later transferring to the baking tray. Cover the dough with another piece of baking paper and use a rolling pin or bottle to roll it out to a thickness of ~0.25 cm. The thickness you choose will influence the crunchiness of the finished crackers. Carefully peel off the top baking paper layer. Place the baking paper with the dough onto a baking tray and bake in a preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, ensuring they don’t burn.
After baking, let the crackers cool down, which is crucial for them to harden and achieve their signature crunch. Once cooled, break the crackers into desired sizes. These homemade seeded crackers can be enjoyed alone or paired with dips, cheeses, or spreads, offering a delightful crunch and flavor in every bite. View the full recipe below for detailed instructions.
Variations and Tips
- Seed Variations: Mix and match hemp, sesame, flaxseeds, poppy seeds, sunflower or pumpkin seeds. When choosing your seeds, just make sure to use a majority of smaller seeds and only use sunflower and pumpkin seeds as an add-on. If you only use larger seeds, it might result in some more crumbly crackers.
- Spice It Up: Experiment with additional spices like cumin or rosemary for a unique flavor. I also love to make a version with black sesame seeds, and seaweed!
- Rotate the tray: Rotate your crackers halfway through baking to ensure even cooking.
- Shape Creatively: Use a sharp knife to cut into various shapes before baking for a fun twist.
- Storage Tip: Keep in an airtight container in the pantry for a week for freshness.
- Serving Suggestion: Enjoy with dips or as a crunchy side to your meals. They are wonderful with our beetroot hummus or as the cutest little lox canapés.
- Flour & Oil-free: for a flour & oil-free crackers recipe, try these delicious Seeded Crackers.
- If you like this recipe, you will also love my Healthy Almond Flour Crackers, Homemade Healthy Pumpkin Seeds Crackers, or Savory Granola.
Why You’ll Love These Healthy Seeded Crackers
- Crunchy
- Nutrient-Rich
- Gluten-Free
- Customizable
- Vegan-Friendly
Healthy Seeded Crackers
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup (65 g) hemp seeds - see notes
- ⅓ cup (50 g) sesame seeds
- ⅓ cup (56 g) flaxseeds
- 2 tbsp (15 g) nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp (2 g) dried oregano
- ½ tsp (1.5 g) garlic powder
- ½ tsp (1 g) red chili flakes - optional
- ½ tsp (3 g) sea salt flakes
- ⅔ cup (80 g) chickpea flour (besan) - besan
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
- 6 tbsp (90 ml) warm water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 320 (160C), fan on (see notes for no fan options)
- Mix: In a large mixing bowl, combine the hemp seeds, sesame seeds, flaxseeds, nutritional yeast, dried oregano, garlic powder, red chili flakes, sea salt flakes, and chickpea flour.Add the olive oil and water and mix well until all thoroughly combined. Shape into a ball. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.
- Roll: After the dough has rested, place the mixture onto a piece of baking paper. Cover the dough with a second piece of baking paper. Using a rolling pin or a bottle, gently roll out the dough to be approximately 1/10 inch (0.25 cm) thick.Carefully remove the top layer of baking paper.
- Bake: Place the baking paper with the rolled-out dough onto a baking tray and slide it into the preheated oven. Bake until golden, for 20 to 25 minutes (see notes).Rotate the tray halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Cool: Once baked, remove the tray from the oven and allow the crackers to cool down completely. This cooling time is essential as it helps the crackers to harden and achieve their characteristic crunch.Break them apart with your hands. You can make them as big or as small as you like. Enjoy!
Notes
- 160 °C fan → 170–180 °C conventional
- 350 °F fan → 375–385 °F conventional
Video
FAQ
You COULD, and I would recommend sesame seeds! The recipe is super versatile and allows for different combinations of seeds. However, using a variety of seeds not only enhances the flavor but also boosts the nutritional value of the crackers. When choosing your seeds, just make sure to use a majority of smaller seeds and only use sunflower and pumpkin seeds as an add-on. If you only use larger seeds, it might result in some more crumbly crackers.
These crackers are great on their own, but they also pair well with dips like hummus or guacamole, vegan cheeses, or even as a side with your favorite soup or salad.
Store the cooled seeded crackers in an airtight container in the pantry at room temperature. They should stay fresh for about a week. Do not store in the fridge.
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with other herbs and spices. Rosemary, thyme, or even some cumin could add a nice twist to these crackers. They are super versatile.
Yes, they are!
Yes, you can cut the dough into desired shapes before baking. However, this might affect the baking time, so keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
Hi. these are great. Has anyone tried cooking them as a pan-bread? (ie on top of the stove) Thanks
Delicious. I am intolerant to chickpea flour so I used a light rye flour which worked perfectly. I am going to experiment with sumac instead of chilli flakes and maybe a bit of Parmesan. Endless possibilities! Thank you.
So happy you loved it Karen! Great to know it works with light rye flour too, thank you for sharing your tips 💚
I’m wondering if running a pizza cutter lightly over the flattened seed mixture at 2 inch intervals lengthwise and width wise prior to baking, would lend the crackers more likely to be broken in more uniform shapes
Hi Steve, you can absolutely do that and shape them however you like 🙂 perhaps doing so after they’ve already baked for 5 minutes would help, as they might be a bit too soft before, let us know how you go 🙂
I want to make these but I need a substitute for the high fodmap flour. What do you think about using oat flower? The garlic powder has to go. too.
Hi Inger, you might prefer some of the other crackers recipes on the blog, like the buckwheat ones, or no flour version 🙂 I don’t think oat would work here on it’s own, it might be too crumbly.
https://plantbaes.com/gf-seeded-crackers-oil-free-flour-free-nut-free/
Can you make your own chickpea flour or do you buy it?
You can make it from dried chickpeas, but I’d recommend buying it. I only tried making it once in my Vitamix, and the noise was so hectic—I thought, never again 😂! You can usually find it in the flour or international aisle at the supermarket (it’s often cheaper in the international aisle). If you do make it yourself, make sure to strain it so there aren’t any bits and pieces left.
Wow these are just delicious and so easy to make. My gluten free friends were suitably impressed. I shall be making these regularly as they are such a healthy way to snack. Yum. Thank you.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing 💚
Could you use a different type of flour?
I’ve only tried it as written, though I’m sure a different flour might work. You may just need to make slight adjustments, as all flours behave a little differently 🙂 Let us know if you try!
Hello. I made these. They are tasty! I do have a question about storing them They seem a bit moist and might be prone to mold if stored in a plastic or glass bin. Any suggestions?
Cathy
Hi Cathy, if they’re a bit moist, I’d suggest baking them a little longer—every oven is slightly different.
I keep mine in a glass container in the pantry for up to 5 days with no issues 🙂
Thank you, Sarah, for the quick response. I baked them next day for about 5 minutes and they dried up enough that I feel they will store without molding!
Cheers!
Cathy
That’s great to hear Cathy! Thank you for the update 💚
These crackers are a winner! I’ve made them 3 times and we can’t get enough of them. I used curry, turmeric and onion powder and they are fantastic!
So happy you loved them Leslie! Thank you for sharing your spice mix, sounds delicious 💚
These are amazing! It took them 5 more minutes to bake in my oven, and instead of 1/3 cup Flax seeds, I used 1/3 cups of raw sunflower seeds and 2 Tab. Flax seeds. Everyone LOVED them! Thanks!!
Thank you for sharing your findings Dorit, it’s so helpful for everyone! So happy they were a hit! 💚
These look very yummy.please send me the recipe.thankyou
Hi Jo, the recipe is in the article 💚
Can I substitute nutritional yeast with something? Parmesan cheese perhaps? Great looking crackers and easy recipe. Thanks for posting.
Hi Anna, the nutritional yeast is only used as a seasoning, so you can skip it and add more of the other seasonings, or any that you like 🙂