Kamil Perry
Cheese and crackers are a classic American food pairing. But with so many varieties of cheese and crackers, how do you find the perfect match? Cheese balls are usually made with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, green onions, and pecans, and are a great make-ahead option for parties as they can be made a day ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to two weeks. They are best served with a variety of crackers, allowing your guests to choose their favorite. While some prefer plain crackers that let the cheese shine, others like to experiment with complementary flavors and textures. Here are some of the best crackers to serve with a cheese ball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Thin, crispy crackers |
| Flavour | Sweet, nutty, fruity, salty, buttery |
| Texture | Crunchy, delicate |
| Specific examples | 34 Degrees crackers, Carr's water biscuits, Cabaret crackers, Grissini breadsticks, Carr's Whole Wheat Crackers, Triscuit crackers, Breton Original crackers, Rip Rap's seeded crackers, Ritz Crackers, Wheat Thins, Multi-Grain, Milton’s |
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What You'll Learn
Thin crackers are best for showcasing cheese
When it comes to cheese, the right cracker can make all the difference in showcasing its flavour and texture. While there are endless varieties of crackers to choose from, thin crackers are often preferred by experts for their ability to add a crunchy texture without overwhelming the cheese.
Ariel Bredlau, a former cheesemaster, recommends thin crisps such as 34 Degrees crackers to pair with cheese. The thin texture of these crackers adds a slight crunch without filling you up, allowing you to truly taste the cheese. This type of cracker showcases the cheese by providing a textural contrast without taking away from the star of the show.
Similarly, wafer crackers are praised by Jessica Sennett, the founder of Cheese Grotto, for their simplicity, lightness, and airy texture. Wafer crackers, such as those from Olina's Bakehouse, have a subtle hint of cheese powder that enhances the umami flavour of the cheese without overpowering it. The thin and delicate nature of wafer crackers makes them an excellent choice for tasting cheese, as they don't detract from the natural expression of the cheese.
Thin crackers can also come in a variety of flavours that complement the cheese. For example, Craize offers a line of round, thin toasted corn crackers in both savoury and sweet varieties. The sweeter flavours, such as Plantain, Sweet Corn, Guava, and Coconut, pair surprisingly well with blue cheese, providing a unique and delightful combination.
When serving cheese, it's essential to consider the role of the cracker. Thick, hearty crackers can be excellent for heartier cheeses but for a true showcase of the cheese's flavour and texture, thin crackers are the way to go. They provide just enough crunch and texture to enhance the cheese without becoming the focal point. So, the next time you're planning a cheese board, remember that thin crackers are the perfect canvas for showcasing the star ingredient: cheese.
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Wafer crackers are simple, light, and airy
Wafer crackers are a great option to serve with a cheese ball. They are simple, light, and airy, and their texture is often preferred by experts. Wafer crackers from Olina's Bakehouse, for instance, are said to be excellent for tasting cheese. They are so light that they do not take away from the cheese's natural flavour. They also have a bit of cheese powder in them, which enhances the umami characteristics of the cheese.
Wafer crackers come in a variety of flavours. For instance, Craize is a line of round, thin, toasted corn crackers that come in a variety of flavours. The sweet ones, such as Plantain, Sweet Corn, Guava, and Coconut, are almost like cookies but pair particularly well with blue cheese. The seeded and everything flavours are more on the savoury side.
If you prefer plain crackers that let the cheese shine, you could try Carr's water biscuits, which are classic and go with every imaginable cheese style. Another option is 34 Degrees, which are thin and crispy and pair well with pungent soft cheeses.
If you're looking for something a little different, you could try pain aux amandes, which are delicate, crunchy, and similar to thin biscuits. These pair well with goat and blue cheeses.
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Gluten-free crackers are a good option
You can make your own gluten-free cheese crackers at home. These crackers are deliciously crisp and flaky without being too hard or crunchy, and they have a salty, cheesy flavour. They are super quick and easy to make and only require six ingredients: a gluten-free flour blend, xanthan gum, salt, cheese, cold unsalted butter, and cold water. You can use extra mature (or extra sharp) cheddar cheese for the best flavour and texture, but mature cheddar will also work. You can also experiment with other flavourings, such as pepper, smoked paprika, or garlic powder.
To make the crackers, pulse the gluten-free flour blend and xanthan gum in a food processor. Then, add the butter pieces and cheese, and pulse until the mixture forms a ball. This should take about two minutes. Place the ball between two pieces of wax paper and roll it out to about 1/4" to 1/8" thick. Using a pastry wheel or pizza cutter, cut the dough into 1-inch squares to form the crackers. Carefully place the crackers on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 1/2 inch apart. Poke each cracker with a fork to prevent over-puffing, and sprinkle with salt if desired. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned at the edges. Allow the crackers to cool on the baking sheet, and then store them in an airtight container.
If you don't want to make your own crackers, there are several gluten-free options available to purchase. 34 Degrees offers a gluten-free crisp that is thin and crispy, making it perfect for pairing with cheese. Wafer crackers from Olina's Bakehouse are another option. These crackers are simple, light, and airy, with a bit of cheese powder to enhance the flavour of the cheese.
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Sweet crackers like graham crackers can complement cheese
Ariel Bredlau, a former Murray's/Kroger Cheesemaster, recommends thin crisps, such as 34 Degrees crackers, to pair with cheese. Thin crackers add a little crunch without overwhelming the taste of the cheese.
Sweet crackers, such as graham crackers or sugar cookies, can complement cheeses like Trillium and pepper jelly, giving them a cheesecake-like feel. Similarly, fruity and hearty crackers like Kii Naturals' Rosemary Raisin Pecan crackers can complement cheese. The savoury herb flavour of rosemary is balanced by the sweetness of raisins and the nuttiness of pecans.
For stronger, stinkier cheeses, sweet crackers can help balance out the flavour. Wafer crackers, such as Craize, are a good option for very strong and pungent cheeses. The sweeter varieties, such as Plantain, Sweet Corn, Guava, and Coconut, pair well with blue cheese.
When it comes to soft cheeses like brie, crackers with a bit of sweetness can be a good choice. Leslie Stowe Raincoast Crisps, made with cranberries and toasted hazelnuts, pair well with the creamy texture and mild flavour of brie.
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Classic crackers like Carr's water biscuits are always a safe bet
Classic crackers like Carrs water biscuits are always a safe bet to serve with a cheese ball. Serving crackers with cheese is about as classic as it gets, and Carrs water biscuits have a neutral flavour with a slightly toasty undertone that goes with every cheese style imaginable. This is the box to choose when you want to taste the cheese and not the cracker. They are also thicker than other varieties, with a delicate, honey-like sweetness reminiscent of graham crackers. They pair well with oozy baked brie, creamy chèvre, and a range of blues.
If you're looking for a wheat cracker, it doesn't get any more classic than a Triscuit. These hearty, woven crackers are versatile enough to serve with just about any cheese, whether it's soft and spreadable or crumbly. They have a crisp texture and a mild, nutty flavour, making them perfect for pairing with cheese.
Thin, crispy crackers like 34 Degrees are also a good option to pair with cheese. They add a little crunch, so you're not getting full on crackers and getting tired of chewing, and you actually get to taste the cheese and pairing.
If you're looking for something a little sweeter, Craize is a line of round, thin toasted corn crackers that come in a variety of flavours. The sweet ones are almost like cookies but pair particularly well with blue cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many options to choose from when it comes to selecting the best crackers to serve with a cheese ball. Some people prefer plain crackers that do not take away from the taste of the cheese, such as Carr's water biscuits or Ritz Crackers. Others like to experiment with complementing flavours and textures, such as wafer crackers, 34 Degrees Gluten-Free Crisps, or sweet crackers like graham crackers.
Some alternatives to crackers include breadsticks, apple wedges, or veggies such as celery or carrots.
It is recommended to serve a cheese ball with a spreading knife. If you dip your cracker straight into the cheese ball, it may break.
A cheese ball should be stored in the refrigerator and will stay fresh for several days or up to 2 weeks, depending on the freshness of your ingredients.
A classic cheese ball recipe includes cream cheese, green onions, and sharp cheddar cheese. Some other ingredients that can be added include pecans, bacon bits, hot sauce, and dried oregano.
