Cheese And Crackers: A Keto-Friendly Snack?

Cheese and crackers are a classic snack, but are they keto-friendly? The answer is yes! You can enjoy cheese and crackers while sticking to a keto diet, as long as you choose the right types of cheese and crackers.

When it comes to cheese, opt for varieties that are naturally low in carbs, such as cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, or Swiss cheese. These cheeses are not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients like protein, calcium, and vitamin B12.

For crackers, there are several keto-friendly options available. One popular option is to make your own keto crackers using almond flour, coconut flour, or other low-carb flours. These crackers are typically baked in the oven and can be seasoned with herbs and spices to add extra flavor. Another option is to look for store-bought keto crackers, which are often made with similar low-carb ingredients and are conveniently available at most grocery stores.

So, if you're following a keto diet and craving something crunchy and savory, cheese and crackers can definitely be on the menu! Just be mindful of your portion sizes and choose keto-friendly options for both the cheese and crackers to stay on track with your dietary goals.

How to make keto cheese crackers

Keto cheese crackers are a great snack option for those on a keto diet. They are easy to make, requiring only a few simple ingredients and a short baking time. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make your own keto cheese crackers at home.

Ingredients:

To make keto cheese crackers, you will need the following ingredients:

• Cheese of your choice (cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, Swiss, etc.)
• Almond flour (or coconut flour for a sweeter option)
• Seasonings (such as rosemary, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, etc.)
• Egg
• Butter or oil (optional)
• Salt (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Dough:

• In a microwave-safe bowl, mix shredded cheese, almond flour, and any desired seasonings. You can also add an egg to help bind the dough.
• Microwave the mixture in short bursts until the cheese is melted and can be stirred to a smooth consistency. Alternatively, you can melt the cheese on the stovetop over low heat.
• If the dough is too sticky, add more almond flour a tablespoon at a time. If it's too dry, add a small amount of water.

Step 2: Roll Out the Dough:

• Place the dough onto a piece of parchment paper and top with another piece of parchment or wax paper.
• Roll out the dough until it is thin and even. The thinner the dough, the crispier the crackers will be.
• Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the dough into your desired cracker shape and size.

Step 3: Bake the Crackers:

• Preheat your oven to between 300-450°F (depending on the recipe).
• Place the crackers on a lined baking sheet, leaving some space between them to prevent melting together.
• Bake for 10-20 minutes, or until the crackers are golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them to avoid over-baking.
• For a chewier texture, bake at a lower temperature, and for extra crispness, bake at a higher temperature.
• If desired, brush the crackers with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse salt before baking.

Step 4: Cool and Serve:

• Allow the crackers to cool completely before serving. They will continue to crisp up as they cool.
• Store the crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or in the refrigerator for longer.
• If the crackers lose their crispness, place them in a preheated oven for a few minutes to crisp up again.

Tips and Variations:

• You can use a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, or a combination of your choice.
• For a more plain cracker, omit the cheese and add spices and seasonings of your choice.
• Get creative with your seasonings! Try oregano, basil, smoked paprika, or everything bagel seasoning.
• If you don't have a microwave, you can melt the cheese on the stovetop over low heat, stirring constantly.
• For a gluten-free option, use almond flour or coconut flour instead of traditional wheat flour.
• To make the crackers in an air fryer, prepare them as directed and place them in the air fryer basket at 200°C/400°F for 7-8 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Keto cheese crackers ingredients

Cheese and crackers can be made keto-friendly by using keto-friendly crackers.

Option 1:

• Deli cheese slices (any flavour)
• Red pepper flakes
• Paprika
• Garlic powder

Option 2:

• 2 cups of cheese of your choice (e.g. Parmesan-Romano mix, Swiss, and cheddar)
• 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
• 1 teaspoon of rosemary or another seasoning of your choice (e.g. basil, chives, garlic, dill weed, spicy chilli, thyme, oregano)
• 1 egg
• Almond flour
• Cream cheese

Option 3:

• 6 ounces of shredded cheese (Cheddar or Pepper Jack)
• 1 ½ cups of almond flour
• ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tablespoon of melted butter
• Coarse salt for sprinkling

Option 4:

Thinly sliced cheese (e.g. Sargento brand)

Keto cheese crackers cooking methods

There are several methods for cooking keto-friendly cheese crackers, with the oven being the most popular option. Here are some detailed instructions on how to make keto cheese crackers using different cooking methods.

Oven-Baked Keto Cheese Crackers:

This is the most common method for making keto cheese crackers. Here are the steps:

• Preheat your oven to 300°F or 350°F.
• Line a baking sheet or a large silicone mat with parchment paper.
• Prepare the dough by mixing shredded cheese, almond flour, and seasonings like garlic powder, salt, and red pepper flakes. You can also add an egg to help bind the dough.
• Melt the cheese in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments until well melted and stirrable.
• Add the dry ingredients to the melted cheese and mix well.
• Roll out the dough on the prepared baking sheet or silicone mat, keeping it thin (about 1/8 inches thick).
• Cut the dough into your desired cracker shape and size using a pizza wheel or a sharp knife.
• Brush the dough with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse salt.
• Bake for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

Air Fryer Keto Cheese Crackers:

For a quicker option, you can use an air fryer to make keto cheese crackers:

• Preheat your air fryer to 200°C/400°F.
• Cut parchment paper to fit the air fryer basket.
• Arrange cheese slices in a single layer in the basket, leaving some space between them.
• Sprinkle your desired spices over the cheese.
• Cook for 7-8 minutes at 350°F, flipping halfway through for even cooking.
• Check frequently and adjust cooking time as needed until the edges are browned and the cheese releases easily from the parchment.

Stovetop Keto Cheese Crackers:

If you prefer to avoid using an oven or air fryer, you can also make keto cheese crackers on the stovetop:

• Prepare the dough by mixing shredded cheese, almond flour, and seasonings in a saucepan over low heat.
• Stir continuously until the cheese is melted and the ingredients are well combined.
• Roll out the dough on a silicone mat or parchment paper, keeping it thin.
• Cut the dough into your desired cracker shape and size.
• Transfer the crackers to a preheated skillet or griddle and cook for a few minutes on each side until golden and crispy.

Microwave Keto Cheese Crackers:

For a quick and easy option, you can also use the microwave to make keto cheese crackers:

• Mix shredded cheese, almond flour, and seasonings in a microwave-safe bowl.
• Microwave on high in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until the cheese is melted and the ingredients are well combined.
• Roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment paper, keeping it thin.
• Cut the dough into your desired cracker shape and size.
• Microwave the crackers on a microwave-safe plate for short intervals, flipping halfway through, until crispy.

Keto cheese cracker recipes

Keto Cheese Crackers

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of shredded cheese of your choice (cheddar, Parmesan, Swiss, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Colby, or Pepper Jack)
• 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
• 1 teaspoon of rosemary or another herb/seasoning of your choice (e.g. basil, chives, garlic, dill weed, spicy chili, thyme, oregano, parsley, paprika, red pepper flakes, onion powder, black pepper)
• 1 cup of almond flour (or coconut flour for a coconut flavour)
• 1 egg
• Butter (optional)

Optional extras:

• Garlic powder
• Sesame seeds
• Poppy seeds
• Everything bagel seasoning
• Bacon bits
• Bacon strips

Method:

• Mix all the cheeses (including cream cheese, if using) along with the almond flour in a microwave-safe bowl and cook for exactly one minute.
• Stir the ingredients until the almond flour and cheeses have combined fully. The cheese should be partially melted.
• Allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes. If you add the egg too soon, it will cook.
• Now add the egg, sea salt, and your choice of seasoning. Mix it all together until all the ingredients are fully combined.
• If the mixture becomes too hard to mix, you can microwave the cheese for another 20 seconds to soften it again.
• Place the ball of dough on a large sheet of parchment paper and then place another sheet of parchment paper of equal size on top of the dough.
• Use a rolling pin to spread the dough out into a thin layer.
• Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into small squares.
• Bake the crackers at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 or 6 minutes on each side. If the crackers are thin, cook for 5 minutes on each side. If the dough is thick, it may take 7 to 9 minutes to get the crispy texture you are looking for.
• Allow the crackers to cool for about 5 minutes, then they are ready to eat!

Tips:

• The thinner you roll the dough, the crispier the crackers will be.
• You can also melt the cheese in a glass bowl in the microwave in short bursts on high, or on the stovetop in a pot. Keep the heat very low and stir constantly until the cheese is easily stirred together.
• If the dough is sticky, it means it doesn’t have enough almond flour. Work in more flour, one tablespoon at a time. The dough should be very pliable and easy to roll out but it shouldn’t be tacky to the touch.
• As they bake, the edge pieces may brown more quickly than the centre. That’s okay—just break them off and set them aside to cool, and keep letting the rest bake and crisp up.
• If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container. They will keep for up to a week. If they soften up over time, put them on a cookie sheet in a 200ºF oven for 20 minutes or so to crisp back up.

Variations:

• You can also make these crackers with just one ingredient: cheese! Simply cut thin slices of cheese into quarters and bake in the oven.
• If you don’t want to use cheese, you can make plain keto crackers by replacing the cheese with one egg and one tablespoon of melted coconut oil.

Keto cheese cracker toppings

Cheese and crackers can be a part of a keto diet, but it's important to choose the right type of cheese and cracker.

• Spicy kick: Use pepper jack cheese and add some red pepper flakes to the dough. You could also sprinkle some chilli flakes on top before baking.
• Italian-style: Use mozzarella cheese and sprinkle Italian seasoning on top.
• Savoury: Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning on top of the crackers before baking.
• Classic: Use sharp cheddar cheese and sprinkle garlic powder on top for an extra savoury kick.
• Flavourful: Try using a mix of Parmesan and Romano cheese, or Swiss and cheddar. Add some fresh rosemary and sea salt on top for extra flavour.
• Cheesy: Use a mix of cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle some garlic powder and onion powder on top before baking.

Frequently asked questions