Vegan, gluten-free, dairy free crackers with a wholesome taste and tender texture. JUMP TO RECIPE
I put crackers into the same category as salad dressings. They’re not at all hard to make from scratch yet most people purchase these foods at the grocery store. This is probably even more true for crackers than salad dressings. I once mentioned to a friend that I make my own crackers and she said she never once considered making crackers – that it was so easy to buy good ones, why bother. And this is someone who loves to cook! Well, I’m here to tell you that making crackers couldn’t be simpler and you’ll be rewarded with ones that are healthier and taste so much better than store-bought crackers. These Herbed Sesame Sunflower Seed Crackers are nothing like any crackers you’ve ever purchased. They’re vegan, gluten-free, and dairy free and have a wholesome taste and tender texture. A few of these crackers dipped in Sun-Dried Tomato Red Lentil Hummus is the perfect, healthy snack to stave off those hunger pangs that sometimes strike before dinnertime.
One of the things that makes Herbed Sesame Sunflower Seed Crackers so unique is that they contain no flour. The stand-in for flour is seeds – sesame and sunflower seeds – which are partially ground up in a food processor, along with the other ingredients, until a thick paste forms. That paste/dough is then rolled out and can be either baked in a single sheet and broken into odd-shaped cracker pieces afterward, or cut into cracker shapes using a cookie cutter, as I’ve done here using a 2¼ inch round cutter. Because this cracker dough contains no gluten and no flour (hence no elasticity), it’s a little fragile and may tear a bit when rolling. If this happens, use more of a pressing motion than a back and forth rolling motion and patch up any tears by pressing pieces of dough into the holes.
You can use any herb you like for Herbed Sesame Sunflower Seed Crackers. I used a combination of thyme and parsley but I’ve also made these crackers with basil and rosemary and they were equally delicious. If fresh herbs aren’t available feel free to use dried herbs instead. Simply substitute 1½ teaspoons of dried herbs for the ¼ cup of fresh herbs called for in the recipe.
These Herbed Sesame Sunflower Seed Crackers pack a powerful nutritional punch. Sesame seeds have the highest levels of phytosterols of any nuts or seeds. Phytosterols (also called plant sterols) are found in plant cell membranes and are thought to reduce the risk of certain cancers, lower cholesterol, and boost immune function. Sunflower seeds are super nutritious too. Their exceptionally high levels of vitamins B and E also help with immune function and inhibiting cancer, and, in addition, are beneficial for cell regeneration. If you’d like to see other recipes for healthy crackers check out Sweet Potato Flax Crackers, Pumpkin Lentil Flax Crackers, and Gluten Free Parmesan Fish Crackers.
If you make Herbed Sesame Sunflower Seed Crackers don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me over on Instagram @QueenofMyKitchen. I’d love to see your creation!
- 1¼ cups (6 ounces) raw sunflower seeds, toasted
- ¾ cup (4 ounces) sesame seeds
- ¼ cup (1/4 ounce) fresh herbs or 1½ teaspoons dried (see notes #1)
- 2 teaspoons coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup water
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lines two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Add all the ingredient to the work bowl of a food processor and process for 30 seconds. Stop and scrape down the sides of the work bowl. Process 20-30 seconds more.
- Divide the mixture into 4 equal pieces and roll out each portion, in between two sheets of plastic wrap, to a thickness of about ⅙ inch. Stamp out crackers using a 2¼- inch round cookie cutter and place on the baking sheets.
- Bake on the bottom racks of the oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through the baking time.
2. If your're short on time you can bake the rolled out dough in one or two large pieces and then break them apart into odd-shaped crackers afterward.
LIKE THIS RECIPE? SAVE IT TO PINTEREST!
oooo I definitely need to try these!
I made this recipe exactly as written but there was no way I could split the dough in four pieces and roll it out. Is there an ingredient missing? Should it have coconut flour not coconut sugar? Help!!!
Did you add the water? This dough is delicate but if rolled out in between sheets of plastic wrap you shouldn’t have any problem. If the dough isn’t holding together try add more water 1 teaspoon at a time. Hope that helps!
These are healthy and delicious – highly snackable! I used caraway like the previous commenter – very yummy indeed. Great recipe – thank you for sharing it with us.
This recipe looks fantastic. I have seen similar ones, but nothing this simple.