Crispy Homemade Goldfish Crackers Recipe: Snack Magic

Crispy, cheesy, and downright addictive, these homemade goldfish crackers dance with nostalgic flavor that store-bought versions can’t match.

Crafting these delightful snacks in your own kitchen brings a fresh twist to the classic childhood treat.

Small golden crackers packed with sharp cheddar cheese emerge from your oven, crackling with irresistible charm.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of buttery richness and zesty cheese that makes snacking an adventure.

You’ll love how simple ingredients combine to create something so much more delicious than packaged alternatives.

The process is surprisingly straightforward, requiring just a few pantry staples and a dash of culinary creativity.

Dive into this recipe and transform ordinary ingredients into a snack that will have everyone reaching for more.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 192 kcal

Servings: 9

What Goes Into Homemade Goldfish Crackers

• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and tangy cheese brings addictive cheesy goodness, selecting a high-quality aged cheddar will boost the cracker's rich taste.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the crispy, light cracker texture, choose unbleached flour for better structure and more natural flavor.

• Unsalted Butter, Ice Water: Cold butter ensures flaky texture while water helps bind ingredients smoothly, using fresh, high-quality butter enhances overall cracker richness.

Tools That Shape and Bake Each Piece Easily

• Food Processor: Essential for mixing and blending ingredients quickly and smoothly.
• Rolling Pin: Perfect for rolling out the dough to an even thickness.
• Cookie Cutter or Pizza Slicer: Helps create those classic goldfish shapes or square crackers.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents crackers from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Baking Sheet: Provides a flat surface for even baking.
• Plastic Wrap: Used to wrap and chill the dough.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula or Knife: Helpful for transferring and handling the dough.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Crunchy Cheese Snacks

• Cheese Dough Preparation

Gather your food processor and blend cheese, flour, and chilled butter until the mixture looks like coarse sand. Add a splash of icy water and pulse gently until the dough starts to form.

• Dough Chilling

Shape the dough into a smooth disc, wrap it snugly in plastic, and let it rest in the refrigerator for half an hour. This helps the flavors mingle and makes the dough easier to handle.

• Cracker Shaping

Dust your work surface with flour and roll out the dough to a thin, even layer. Grab a small cookie cutter or pizza slicer to create adorable bite-sized shapes. Don’t waste those leftover dough bits – re-roll and cut again!

• Baking Magic

Arrange your cute cracker shapes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Slide them into a preheated oven and bake until the edges turn a delightful golden brown. Watch them closely to prevent burning. Let the crackers cool completely before diving in for a crunchy snack.

Seasoning Twists to Give Them More Personality

• Cheese Swap Magic: Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, parmesan, or pepper jack to create unique flavor profiles that make your crackers stand out from store-bought versions.
• Spice It Up: Sprinkle in dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or paprika directly into the dough for an extra kick of flavor that transforms these crackers from simple to sensational.
• Kid-Friendly Shapes: Use fun cookie cutters like fish, stars, or tiny animal shapes to make these crackers more exciting for children, turning snack time into a playful experience.
• Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance and store it wrapped in the refrigerator, giving you a quick and easy snack solution whenever hunger strikes.
• Storage Secrets: Keep your homemade crackers crisp by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, ensuring they maintain their delightful crunch and flavor.

Serve These Snacks to Kids or Guests Anytime

• Snack Time Companions: Pair these homemade goldfish crackers with fresh carrot sticks, cucumber slices, or cherry tomatoes for a balanced and colorful snack plate that kids and adults will love.
• Dip Delight: Serve these crispy crackers alongside homemade hummus, ranch dressing, or a tangy cheese dip for an extra layer of flavor that elevates the entire snacking experience.
• Movie Night Munchies: Scatter these golden crackers in a large bowl for family movie nights, game evenings, or casual gatherings as a crunchy, satisfying alternative to store-bought chips that everyone will enjoy.
• Lunchbox Love: Pack these crackers in school lunches or work snack boxes, adding a personal touch to midday meals and ensuring a delicious, homemade treat that stands out from packaged snacks.

Save Crackers in a Tin to Keep Them Crisp

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum crunchiness and flavor retention.
• Freezer-Friendly Batch: Prepare double the recipe and freeze unbaked cracker shapes between parchment paper layers inside a sealed freezer bag for quick future baking.
• Ingredient Freshness Tip: Store shredded cheese and flour in cool, dry spaces to maintain optimal dough quality and prevent moisture absorption.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dough up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate, allowing flexible cooking schedules and reducing day-of preparation time.

Crispy Goldfish Crackers

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Crispy homemade goldfish crackers delight snack enthusiasts with their cheesy, crunchy goodness. Baking these playful crackers brings nostalgic charm and satisfying flavors you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (226 grams / 8 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup (120 grams / 4.2 oz) all-purpose flour
• 4 tablespoons (56 grams / 2 oz) unsalted butter, cold
• 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 milliliters / 0.5–1 fluid oz) ice water, as needed

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Instructions

1. Mixing: Pulse cheese, flour, and chilled butter in a food processor until achieving a sandy consistency, creating the foundational cracker base.
2. Dough Formation: Gradually introduce ice water while pulsing minimally to bind the mixture, ensuring the dough coheres without becoming overworked, then transfer to a clean surface and shape into a disc.
3. Chilling: Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes to stabilize and enhance its structural integrity.
4. Rolling and Cutting: On a floured surface, roll the chilled dough to a uniform ⅛ to ¼ inch thickness, then craft fish-shaped or square crackers using cookie cutters or a pizza cutter, re-rolling scraps to maximize dough usage.
5. Preparation for Baking: Carefully arrange the shaped crackers on a parchment-lined baking sheet, maintaining slight separation between pieces to promote even cooking.
6. Baking: Position the sheet in a preheated 350°F (180°C) oven and bake for approximately 10 minutes, watching for a golden-brown edge that indicates perfect crispness.
7. Cooling and Serving: Extract from the oven and allow crackers to cool completely, ensuring a satisfyingly crisp texture before presenting.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Tip: Keep butter extremely cold and chilled for flakiest, most delicate cracker texture.
• Dough Handling Warning: Minimize hand contact to prevent warming butter, which can make crackers tough and dense.
• Pulsing Technique: Use short, quick pulses in food processor to avoid overworking dough, maintaining delicate crumbly consistency.
• Rolling Precision: Aim for consistent ⅛-inch thickness to ensure even baking and uniform crispness across all crackers.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 192
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg