Patrick Oconnell
Cheese crackers are a popular snack food, but are they suitable for those who are intolerant to dairy? The answer is yes—and no. While some cheese crackers are made with dairy, there are also plenty of dairy-free alternatives available, including vegan cheese crackers. These are often made with nutritional yeast, which adds a cheesy flavor to the crackers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are cheese crackers made with dairy? | Yes, traditional cheese crackers are made with dairy. |
| Dairy-free cheese crackers | There are vegan cheese crackers available in the market that are dairy-free. |
| Ingredients | Cheese, flour, cornstarch, salt, butter, and water. |
| Vegan alternatives | Nutritional yeast, vegan butter, lemon juice, olive oil spray, dried Italian seasoning, etc. |
| Vegan cheese cracker brands | Back to Nature, Real Food From The Ground Up, MadeGood, Mustache Munchies, Every Body Eat, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Ingredients for dairy-free cheese crackers
Dairy-free cheese crackers are a great snack option for those who are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy. They are also perfect for vegans who do not consume any animal products.
There are several recipes for dairy-free cheese crackers available, and most of them include the following ingredients:
- Flour: You can use all-purpose flour, gluten-free flour, or a mix of flours such as oat and cornmeal for added nutrition.
- Nutritional yeast: This ingredient gives the crackers a nutty, cheesy flavour. It is derived from a yeast called Saccharomyces cerevisiae and is typically available in flake form.
- Baking powder: This helps with leavening and gives the crackers a lighter texture.
- Salt: Salt is added for flavour and can be adjusted according to taste preferences.
- Garlic powder: This contributes to the savoury flavour of the crackers.
- Spices: Smoked paprika, turmeric, and Italian seasoning are commonly used to enhance the flavour and add a slight colour to the crackers.
- Vegan butter: Butter alternatives, such as vegan margarine or olive oil, can be used to make the crackers dairy-free.
- Lemon juice: Adds a tangy flavour to the crackers.
- Water: Water is added in small amounts to bring the dough together and form a cohesive ball.
Some recipes may also include additional ingredients such as cornstarch to improve the texture of the crackers, olive oil spray to enhance crispiness, or even crispy fried onions for cheese and onion-flavoured crackers.
By combining these ingredients, rolling out the dough, and baking it, you can create delicious, dairy-free cheese crackers that are perfect for snacking or packing in a lunchbox.
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Vegan cheese crackers
Traditional cheese crackers are made with cheese, flour, cornstarch, salt, butter, and water. However, cheese crackers can be made vegan by substituting the cheese with vegan cheese and using vegan butter. Nutritional yeast is often added to the mixture to give the crackers a cheezier taste.
There are many recipes for vegan cheese crackers online, with slight variations in the ingredients used. Some recipes call for gluten-free flour, while others use all-purpose flour. Some recipes also include additional seasonings such as garlic powder, smoked paprika, and turmeric or Himalayan pink salt.
To make vegan cheese crackers, preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C). Combine the dry ingredients in a medium bowl or a food processor, then add olive oil, vegan butter, and lemon juice. Mix until the dough is fine and crumbly, then slowly add water until the dough becomes cohesive. Roll out the dough, cut it into squares, and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
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Gluten-free cheese crackers
Cheese crackers are a delicious snack, but what if you're gluten-intolerant or want to cut gluten out of your diet? Well, you can still enjoy these tasty treats by making them with gluten-free flour.
The great thing about gluten-free cheese crackers is that they can be just as delicious as their gluten-containing counterparts. The key to getting the right texture and flavour is to use extra mature or extra sharp cheddar cheese, which gives the crackers a flaky texture and a salty, cheesy taste. You can also experiment with other types of cheese, such as white cheddar or gruyere, to find your perfect flavour.
In addition to the basic ingredients, you can add flavourings such as pepper, smoked paprika, or garlic powder to give your crackers a unique twist. The dough can be rolled out between two sheets of parchment paper to ensure it doesn't stick, and then cut into small squares to mimic the appearance of popular cheese crackers like Cheez-Its.
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Homemade cheese crackers
To make cheese crackers at home, you will need the following ingredients: cheese, flour, cornstarch, salt, butter, and water. It is recommended to use a block of real cheddar cheese, freshly grated, as this has more flavour than pre-shredded cheese. You can use either white or yellow cheddar, depending on your preference. If you want to experiment with different types of cheese, you can try Gruyere, Parmesan, or a mixture of cheeses. It is important to note that soft cheeses should be avoided as they will not work well with this recipe.
Once you have your ingredients, simply mix them together to form a dough. You can do this by hand or use a food processor. If you are making the dough by hand, grate the cheese and mix it with the flour, cornstarch, and cold butter. Then, add water in small amounts until the dough comes together. If you are using a food processor, pulse the cheese, flour, and butter until they resemble coarse crumbs, then add the yogurt and pulse again. The dough should be crumbly but hold together when pressed.
After you have made the dough, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to chill. This step is important as it will help the dough hold its shape when you roll it out. After chilling, roll the dough out until it is about 1/8 inch thick. Then, cut the dough into squares or use a cookie cutter to create your desired shape. You can also poke a hole in the centre of each cracker using a skewer or toothpick. Before baking, you can sprinkle the crackers with sea salt or other seasonings of your choice, such as Italian seasoning or paprika.
Finally, bake the crackers in the oven for 16-20 minutes, or until they are lightly golden and puffy. Allow them to cool completely before serving or storing. These homemade cheese crackers are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days or in the refrigerator for a month.
Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and seasonings to make your perfect cheese cracker!
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Commercially-available cheese crackers
Another popular brand is Cheddies, which emphasises the use of real cheese in their crackers, sourced from farms practising regenerative and holistic farming methods. Cheddies offers a range of flavours, including a spicy cheddar option, and their crackers are known for their crunchiness. These crackers have gained recognition, even being offered on American Airlines flights in first-class.
For those seeking dairy-free or vegan alternatives, there are also several options available. Make It Dairy Free provides recipes for creating dairy-free cheese crackers at home, using ingredients like nutritional yeast, vegan butter, and lemon juice. Additionally, they offer suggestions for store-bought dairy-free crackers, such as the Ka-Pop Popped Chips, which are vegan, gluten-free, and made with cassava root chips in flavours like Beet with Vegan Goat Cheese and Cheddar.
Plant Snacks is another brand that offers dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free cheesy snacks, including Beanfields, which has lentil chips in flavours like Vegan Nacho Cheese, and Que Pasa, which features volcanic stone-ground corn chips. These brands cater to those with dietary restrictions or ethical considerations, providing tasty alternatives that are crunchy and cheesy without the dairy.
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