Crackers are a snack that everyone can enjoy. The ingredients in cracker recipes can be modified to fit nearly any dietary restrictions from gluten free to vegan. And the many flavorings, ingredients and methods are endless. So if you're searching for a cracker recipe that will satisfy your taste buds while helping you meet your daily nutrient requirements, then you're in luck. At Bob's Red Mill, we've made almost every kind of cracker recipe out there, and our recipe bank has several that you can choose from. Today, we'll be highlighting one of our favorite cracker recipes—buckwheat crackers. Continue reading for a step-by-step guide for homemade buckwheat crackers, along with general cracker-making tips.
What Is Buckwheat?
Despite the name, buckwheat doesn't contain wheat at all. While it's commonly referred to as an ancient grain, buckwheat, similar to amaranth and quinoa, is a seed, a.k.a "pseudo-grain." Having been cultivated in China for thousands of years, it's more recently gained the spotlight because of its incredible benefits. A nutritional powerhouse, buckwheat is packed with vitamins and minerals like magnesium, manganese, zinc, folate and vitamin B6. It can be cooked similar to grains and boasts a mild nutty flavor, making it easy to use in sweet and savory dishes.
Buckwheat Flour
So, what happens when you turn this pseudo-grain into flour? Amazing recipes are created! Our Bob's Red Mill Organic Buckwheat Flour is made from 100% whole grain buckwheat oats. Since it's not related to wheat, it's naturally gluten free and makes for delicious baked goods—especially crackers. An excellent source of dietary fiber, buckwheat flour contains essential amino acids and adds a rich flavor to whatever it is combined with. By making crackers out of this flour, you'll create a baked treat that will have everyone hovering around the snack table.
Buckwheat Cracker Ingredients
Buckwheat Flour
Naturally gluten free and grain free, buckwheat flour is the main ingredient of this recipe and replaces traditional flours. Buckwheat flour’s nutty flavor and wheat-like texture make it an excellent substitute for those who have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Herbs
A healthy and effective way to flavor your crackers, using herbs is sure to boost their taste. In this recipe, we chose to blend Italian herbs like thyme, oregano and red chili flakes to create a savory cracker that can easily pair with your choice of healthy dip or spread.
Sesame Seeds
Another way to boost the flavor of your treat is by adding sesame seeds. An exceptional fiber and plant-based protein source, sesame seeds are especially beneficial for vegans and vegetarians seeking additional protein sources. Plus, they'll add a bit of crunch to your crackers and improve their overall texture.
Water
No cracker recipe would be complete without water. Water helps blend all dry ingredients together to create a cracker dough that can be easily rolled into any shape you'd like.
Olive Oil and Salt
Olive oil and salt are mixed into this cracker recipe to boost the flavor even more. Additionally, olive oil can be replaced with any other neutral oil. Melted butter can also be substituted to add a tinge of sweetness to the crackers.
Additional Ingredients
While the ingredients listed above are the main ingredients in this recipe, there are several additional ingredients that you can mix into these crackers to make them your own. To help you get started, here are a few extra ingredients we love working into this buckwheat cracker recipe.
Flaxseeds
Seeds are a no-brainer when it comes to adding a boost of nutrition to your favorite snacks. Full of vitamins and minerals, a seed’s small size and neutral taste makes it easy to mix into just about anything—salads, smoothies and crackers! When choosing which seed to work into our cracker recipe, we almost always reach for flaxseeds. Rich in omega 3 fatty acids—the healthy kind of fat—just a spoonful or so will give you the boost needed to keep your body healthy and strong. Work them into your cracker dough, or use them as a topping after the crackers have baked.
Garlic
Garlic is a quick and easy way to add flavor to your recipes. Aside from its impressive health benefits, it has a spicy taste that will add a bit of savoriness to whatever you combine it with. When cooking with garlic, it's important to note that a little goes a long way. So work it into your recipes slowly until you get a taste for how much garlic you can handle.
Onion Powder
Like garlic, onion also comes in powder form, making it easy to work into the dough. Simply add it into the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly before adding liquid. Doing so will boost the taste of your crackers without packing on too many calories.
Buckwheat Crackers: Step by Step Recipe
Now that you know the ingredients that go into making buckwheat crackers, it's time to try making them yourself. Continue reading for a step-by-step guide to making buckwheat crackers at home! Or jump to the full recipe on Masala Chilli.
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
Place buckwheat flour into a bowl and begin adding the dry ingredients. Depending on the herbs and spices you choose thyme, oregano, red chili flakes, etc. Should all be added to the flour and mixed thoroughly.
Step 2: Mix in Add-ins
Next, If you've chosen to add additional ingredients like sesame seeds, nuts or coconut flakes, now is the time to add them in. After adding all dry ingredients, stir them until they are thoroughly mixed.
Step 3: Add Olive Oil
Once all ingredients have been thoroughly mixed, begin to add the olive oil and mix steadily. Upon adding oil, you'll want to ensure that it flags the flour evenly before moving on to the next step.
Step 4: Add Water
After the flour has been coated, use a spoon to gradually add water to the mixture and knead it into a tight, stretchy dough.
Step 5: Roll the Dough
Find a large, flat surface to begin rolling the cracker dough on. While a wooden board will work great, a countertop lined with parchment paper will also work well and prevent the dough from sticking to the surface. Next, dust your rolling area with a bit of buckwheat flour and begin rolling the dough out into a round shape.
Step 6: Shape Crackers
After the dough has been rolled out relatively thin, it's time to cut your crackers into the desired shape. Use a knife, cookie-cutter, or fork to achieve this step.
Step 7: Collect Leftover Dough
Collect any leftover dough and knead it into a ball to roll out again and create more crackers.
Step 8: Bake Crackers
Preheat the oven to 350°F for 10 minutes before placing the cracker dough inside. After placing the tray into the oven, bring the temperature down to 300°F and allow the crackers to bake for 25 minutes. Check on crackers periodically to ensure they do not burn.
Additionally, let the cracker cool fully before enjoying them.
Baking Tips
When making buckwheat crackers at home, there are a few tips and tricks that we've found helpful. Continue reading to discover how to bake these crispy crackers to perfection.
Temperature
When baking crackers, temperature matters. Baking crackers at a low temperature will help draw out some of the moisture in the dough and create a more crispy result. Low temperatures often work best when cooking a recipe that doesn't use baking soda or gluten free flour. On the other hand, cooking crackers at too high of a temperature may cause the tops and edges to brown too quickly, leaving the center raw and uncooked.
Know Your Oven
Every oven bakes a bit differently. The style of oven you have and the actual temperature inside will largely determine how long it will take for the crackers to cook. We recommend placing a thermometer in the oven to ensure that it reaches the desired temperature when baking crackers. Additionally, it's essential to keep an eye on your crackers while baking to ensure they don't burn.
Let Crackers Cool Completely
For a great-tasting cracker, allow it to cool off completely before taking a bite. Cooling will enable crackers to develop the famous crispy crunch that we all know and love.
Now that you know how to bake buckwheat crackers from scratch, it's time to get started. Review the guide above to ensure that you have the tools and ingredients needed to bake up a batch of your own. We're confident that after trying this recipe once, it will quickly become a family favorite. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, we wish you a fun and flavor-filled day!
Do you love making buckwheat crackers at home? We'd love to hear about the fun add-ins you work into your cracker recipes. Share your favorite ingredients with us in the comments below.
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