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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350˚F (175˚C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- 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.
- 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
