The Best Sourdough Cheddar Crackers (2024)

Sourdough

A delicious way to use your discarded sourdough starter, this recipe for sourdough cheddar crackers is ready in under thirty minutes. They taste just like Cheez-Its!

I know making crackers might seem a bit nuts, but I promise they come together very fast. The dough is easy to handle because you roll it out between sheets of parchment, and since you mix it by hand, there aren’t too many dishes to deal with.

One of my most popular sourdough discard recipes, and for good reason..

Sourdough Cheddar Crackers with Discard

Salty, crisp, sourdough cheddar crackers made with your discarded sourdough starter- a quick and easy recipe!

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes minutes

Total Time 22 minutes minutes

Serving Size 4 dozen crackers

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup discard sourdough starter
¾ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Kosher salt for sprinkling

Instructions

Prep. Preheat oven to 375 with two racks in, spaced relatively equally apart.
Make the dough. Combine the butter and flour in a medium mixing bowl. Using your hands, rub the butter into the flour until it looks like sand. Pour in the sourdough starter and gently mix. Add the cheddar cheese and combine. If necessary, use your hands to make sure the dough forms a ball.
Roll out dough. Turn the dough out onto a piece of parchment paper and top with a second piece of parchment. Roll out as thin as you can using a rolling pin.
Cut out into squares. Cut into squares using a pastry wheel and place the squares on two parchment-lined baking sheets. Sprinkle generously with kosher salt.
Bake. Bake for 10-13 minutes, switching the baking sheets halfway. The crackers should be crisp with slightly browned edges. Allow to cool directly on the baking sheet. Serve immediately, or let fully cool and transfer to airtight container and store for up to 2 days.

Video

https://youtu.be/3iaVGtLE1u8

Notes

These are delicious served with any creamy dip or topped with sliced ham or turkey.

Try adding dried herbs to the dough before rolling out.

You really want sharp cheddar for the best flavor.

Cracker-Making Tips

The key to crispy crackers is rolling the dough as thin as possible.Aim for a thickness of about 1/8 inch or even thinner if you can. A pasta roller works well!
For consistent baking,try to cut your crackers into roughly the same size squares.
Don’t skimp on the salt!A generous sprinkle of kosher salt enhances the flavor and adds a delightful crunch.
Let the crackers cool completely on the baking sheet before storing them.This helps them crisp up even more.

Important Ingredients for Sourdough Crackers

Here are a few key items that deserve a little extra attention:

Sharp Cheddar Cheese.Don’t settle for mild cheddar here.The sharp,tangy flavor of sharp cheddar is what really makes these crackers sing.
Parchment Paper.This prevents the crackers from sticking to the baking sheet and makes cleanup a breeze.No parchment paper?You can lightly grease your baking sheets instead. (A package of sheets that lay flat will be the easiest to work with for this recipe, and in general.)
Pastry Wheel or Pizza Cutter.This tool helps you cut clean,even squares,ensuring your crackers bake evenly.If you don’t have one,a sharp knife will do the trick.

Serving Suggestions

Try serving these as a snack to go with co*cktails. Put out some nice olives, sliced apples and honey. Or, you know serve them plain as a snack to kids. Whatever you want.

Questions and Troubleshooting

Can I use active sourdough starter instead of discard?

Yes, but active starter will give your crackers a bit more rise and they’ll be puffier. I don’t love them this way, but you might.

Can I freeze homemade crackers?

Absolutely!Once they’re completely cool,store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to a month.

My crackers turned out a bit soft. What happened?

Don’t worry,it happens!A few things could cause this.Maybe your dough was a little too thick,or perhaps your oven runs a bit cool.Next time,try rolling the dough even thinner.

Can I add other flavors?

Yes! (Definitely.) Try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little kick,or some chopped fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme.You can also experiment with different types of cheese.

Storage Instructions

Storing at Room Temperature:

Once the crackers are completely cool,place them in an airtight container.
Store at room temperature for up to 2 days. Any longer, and they’ll be too soft.

Freezing:

These crackers freeze beautifully!
Let them cool completely before placing them in a freezer-safe container or bag.
Freeze for up to a month.
When you’re ready to enjoy them,simply thaw them at room temperature for a few minutes.

These are a simple and satisfying way to use up leftover starter.With just a few pantry staples,you can create a delicious snack that’s perfect for sharing or enjoying on your own.Give this recipe a try – you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to make something so tasty.

By Katie Shaw

Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.

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