Sourdough Cheese Crackers with Herbs

I’m on a mission this year to make as many homemade snacks as possible. Between the cost of individually packaged snack foods and the additives, I’ve definitely seen the benefits! So far, my black bean brownie bites and monster cookie energy bites have been huge hits for my whole family, but I wanted to create a savory snack as well. These sourdough cheese crackers use sourdough discard for a cracker that resembles a Cheeze-it and if your kids don’t approve of anything green you can leave out the herbs. Either way, these crackers are flavorful, crisp, and going to be a favorite for your whole family. I have a fun rolling cutter to give the crackers a jagged edge, but you can also use a pizza cutter. I know looking at them may give you the impression that these homemade crackers are hard to make but start to finish the process is only about 30-40 minutes! They are great to keep on hand for snacking but also a great addition to a charcuterie board or even a housewarming gift with a nice bottle of wine.

Ingredients for Sourdough Cheese Crackers

• All-purpose flour: it’s called all-purpose for a reason! We’re putting the flour into a food processor with salt and cheese to blend well.
• Salt: You can’t have crackers without salt!
• Gruyere cheese (or any cheddar or parmesan!): I love the combination of gruyere and herbs here but for kids, cheddar is a great option. You can use a good quality shredded cheese, but many shredded cheeses have additives in them that won’t allow them to properly combine with the rest of the mixture. You can also use a block of cheese that’s cubed because the cheese will get broken into tiny pieces in the food processor.
• Butter: I like to cube the butter and put it on a plate in the refrigerator until I’m ready to use it. Keeping the butter cold will keep your crackers flakey and crispy.
• Sourdough discard: Crackers are such a good use for sourdough discard because of the tangy flavor. Of course, sourdough discard also has health benefits, so we will call it a double win!
• Ice water: When you’re making pie crust and crackers it’s important to keep your water super cold, so the butter and cheese don’t melt into the flour. I put ice cubs into a cup and then add the water to take out a tablespoon at a time as needed.
• Fresh herbs: I used rosemary here, but you can use a mix of rosemary and thyme, or any other herbs that you love. I give them a good chop, but again they are being added to the food processor and will be incorporated in nice small pieces.

How to Make Sourdough Herb and Cheese Crackers

• First, place your flour and salt in the food processor and pulse it a few times to mix. You do need a food processor for this recipe. I know it may seem like an appliance you don’t really need, but I’m always shocked how much I use it. Almost every day!
• Next, add your cheese and mix until it’s well incorporated in tiny bits. Add your cold butter and do the same. Once the butter and cheese are added the mixture should be the texture of coarse sand. If you are using fresh herbs, add them here as well.
• Add the sourdough discard and mix until combined. The cracker mixture will probably still not be wet enough to combine together. Add your ice water a tablespoon at a time until the mixture can be formed into a ball. It’s ok if it’s still a little crumbly, if the dough is too wet the crackers won’t get as crispy as you want them to.
• Spread some flour on a clean kitchen counter or silicone baking mat (my new favorite kitchen item) and roll out your cracker dough. Use your pizza cutter or fancy ravioli cutter to cut the crackers into squares. For aesthetics you can use a chopstick or wooden skewer to add a hole into the center to give them a classic Cheeze-it look. Place the crackers onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake until crispy and the bottoms and edges are golden brown.

Don’t be intimidated by these homemade crackers, they’re so much easier to make than they sound. A great snack for you or for your kids and great to keep in the pantry, the perfect addition to a charcuterie board, and a thoughtful housewarming or Christmas gift. I love things that are handmade and thoughtful, and a mason jar filled with these and a pretty ribbon on the top with a good bottle of wine? That’s just what you need for a cozy at home wine and cheese night. If you make them, let me know in the comments what your favorite cheese + herb combination is!