Homemade Goldfish Crackers Recipe

Introduction

These homemade goldfish crackers are a delightful, cheesy snack that’s fun to make and even better to eat. Crisp, flavorful, and free from additives, they’re a perfect treat for kids and adults alike. Plus, making them from scratch lets you customize the seasonings to your liking.

Ingredients

• 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled
• 4-5 tablespoons cold water
• Goldfish cookie cutter (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Finely shred the cheddar cheese and add it to a food processor. Process until the cheese is very finely chopped to help it incorporate well into the dough.
2. Step 2: Add the flour, kosher salt, sugar, baking powder, paprika, celery salt, and onion powder to the food processor. Pulse until the mixture is evenly combined.
3. Step 3: Add the chilled butter and 4 tablespoons of cold water to the mixture. Pulse a few more times until the dough starts to come together.
4. Step 4: Transfer the dough to a work surface and knead until it forms a cohesive dough. If it feels crumbly, add more water, one tablespoon at a time, until it holds together well. Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a 1-inch thick disc, then cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour.
5. Step 5: Preheat your oven to 350˚F (175˚C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. Step 6: On a floured surface, roll each dough disc out into a roughly 9 by 11-inch rectangle, about 1/8-inch thick. Use the goldfish cookie cutter to cut out shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with a little salt if desired. Gather and re-roll scraps as needed.
7. Step 7: Bake for 14-16 minutes, until the bottoms are slightly browned and the crackers are crisp. Allow them to cool completely on the baking sheets before serving.

Tips & Variations

• If you don’t have a goldfish cookie cutter, use a small fish-shaped mold or any fun small cutter, or simply cut the dough into bite-sized squares.
• For extra flavor, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the dough.
• Chilling the dough thoroughly helps to prevent the crackers from spreading too much while baking.
• Store baked crackers in an airtight container to keep them crisp longer.

Storage

Store the baked goldfish crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them fresh and crisp longer, add a silica packet or a piece of bread to absorb moisture. If they soften, you can re-crisp them by baking in a 300˚F oven for 5 minutes.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these crackers without a food processor?

Yes, you can finely grate the cheese and mix the dry ingredients by hand. Then work in the butter with your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs before adding water gradually to form the dough.

Can I use other cheeses instead of sharp cheddar?

Absolutely. Cheeses like gouda, parmesan, or a flavorful aged cheddar work well and will give different but delicious results. Just make sure to use a firm cheese that can be finely grated.

Homemade Goldfish Crackers Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 116 reviews

• Author: lina
• Total Time: 1 hour 36 minutes
• Yield: About 60 crackers 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Homemade Goldfish Crackers are a crispy, cheesy snack made from sharp cheddar and a blend of flavorful spices. This recipe guides you through creating perfect bite-sized crackers with simple ingredients, a quick chill, and baking to golden perfection. Ideal for a homemade twist on a classic favorite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cheese Dough

• 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled
• 4–5 tablespoons cold water

Optional

• Goldfish cookie cutter
• Salt, to sprinkle

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Instructions

1. Prepare the cheese: Finely shred the sharp cheddar cheese using a grater. Transfer the shredded cheese to a food processor and pulse until the cheese is very finely chopped. This helps ensure the cheese blends evenly into the dough.
2. Combine dry ingredients: Add the all purpose flour, kosher salt, sugar, baking powder, paprika, celery salt, and onion powder to the food processor with the cheese. Pulse together until all the ingredients are evenly mixed.
3. Add butter and water: Incorporate the chilled unsalted butter and 4 tablespoons of cold water to the mixture in the food processor. Pulse a few times to bring the dough together.
4. Knead the dough: Transfer the dough onto a work surface and knead gently until it forms a cohesive dough. If it feels crumbly, gradually add more water, one teaspoon at a time, until the dough sticks together well. Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each into a 1-inch thick disc. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour.
5. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350˚F (175˚C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. Roll and cut: On a floured surface, roll out each chilled dough disc into a rectangle about 9-10 inches by 11 inches, roughly 1/8-inch thick. Use a goldfish-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the crackers. Transfer the cut pieces to the lined baking sheets. Sprinkle lightly with salt if desired. Re-roll any scraps and continue cutting.
7. Bake: Bake the crackers for 14 to 16 minutes, until the bottoms are lightly browned and crisp. Allow them to cool completely on the baking sheets before serving to ensure crispness.

Notes

• Make sure the butter is very cold to help create a flaky texture in the dough.
• Chilling the dough before rolling makes it easier to handle and improves the crispness of the crackers.
• You can substitute sharp cheddar with other flavorful cheeses like gouda or parmesan for different tastes.
• If you don’t have a goldfish cookie cutter, use a small fish-shaped cutter or cut into small squares for a fun variation.
• Store crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain crispness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 16 minutes
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: homemade goldfish crackers, cheddar crackers, cheesy snack, baked crackers, kids snack