Patrick Oconnell
Cheese and crackers is a classic, versatile, and nutritious snack with a long history. It has been consumed by soldiers, sailors, and pioneers, and later became a common menu item in American restaurants and bars in the 1850s. Today, mass-produced cheese and crackers are readily available from brands like Ritz, Jatz, Lunchables, and Lunchly. However, for a more elevated experience, there are numerous options for crackers and cheeses to create the perfect cheese board.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Historical consumption | Sailors, soldiers, and pioneers |
| Common occasions | Snacks, hors d'oeuvres, parties, dessert |
| Common pairings | Wine, fruit, preserves, pickles, stuffed olives, meats |
| Types of crackers | Thin, light, airy, wafer, sweet, nutty, gluten-free, flavoured, plain |
| Types of cheese | High-quality, soft, sliced or cubed, spreadable |
| Toppings | Honey, herbs, balsamic glaze |
| Calories | 104kcal |
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What You'll Learn
Cheese and crackers in stores
Cheese and crackers, also known as cheese and biscuits in the UK, is a common snack food or hors d'oeuvre. It consists of crackers paired with various cheeses, and it can be served as a quick snack or appetiser. In the United States, it is also served as a dessert, with added ingredients such as jam, jelly, or marmalade. It is also commonly served at parties, especially in the Southern United States, where hot chilli pepper jelly is served atop cream cheese and crackers at cocktail parties.
There are many options for purchasing cheese and crackers in stores. You can find them in supermarkets, grocery stores, and specialty food shops. Many different types of cheeses and crackers are available, and you can often find them in the dairy and snack aisles, respectively. Some popular brands that offer cheese and crackers include:
- Ritz
- Jatz
- Lunchables
- Lunchly
- Handi-Snacks
- La Panzanella
- Olina's Bakehouse
- Craize
- Beecher's
Additionally, you can create your own cheese and crackers by purchasing the items separately. This allows you to customise your selection and choose from a wider variety of cheeses and crackers. When creating your own combination, consider the texture and flavour profiles of both the cheese and crackers to find complementary pairings. For example, a robust and flavourful cracker can complement plainer cheeses, while a simple cracker can pair well with more complex, strongly-flavoured cheeses. You can also get creative and add toppings such as nuts, herbs, or fruit to enhance the flavour and presentation of your cheese and crackers.
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Cheese and crackers at restaurants
Cheese and crackers have been a staple in restaurants and bars since the 1850s. This simple yet versatile combination has evolved from its humble origins as sailor, soldier, and pioneer fare to an artisanal delight. The right pairing of cheese and crackers can make all the difference, with the cracker adding texture, contrast, and a unique touch to complement the cheese.
When it comes to the cheese, it can be sliced or cubed and served separately or pre-placed on the crackers. A wide variety of cheeses can be used, from cheddar and gouda to brie and blue cheese. The type of cheese will influence the choice of cracker, as the cracker should enhance the flavour of the cheese and the overall dining experience. Crackers come in various forms, such as thin and crispy, seedy, or whole wheat, and can be made with different ingredients like whole grains, seeds, herbs, and spices.
Some recommended pairings include aged gouda with Mary's Gone Crackers Olive Oil and Black Pepper, or Chipotle with cheddar. For a gluten-free option, 34 Degrees Gluten-Free Crisps pair well with a buttery cheese like Marin French Triple Crème Brie, especially when accompanied by sliced apples. Brewer's Crackers – Sea Salt are a natural match for surface-ripened cheese, and Sheridan's Cheesemongers in Ireland offers Brown bread crackers that pair beautifully with Durrus cheese. For those who prefer a sweeter cracker, Carr's Whole Wheat Crackers are thick and slightly sweet, making them an excellent match for strong cheddars, blues with nuts, or gjetost with shaved apple.
Cheese and crackers are often served as an hors d'oeuvre or snack and can be paired with wine or other accompaniments like chutneys, pickles, fruit preserves, or meats such as salami or pepperoni. It is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed at casual picnics or sophisticated dinner parties, adding a touch of elegance to any occasion.
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Cheese and crackers at home
Cheese and crackers is a classic, easy, and nutritious snack with endless fun variations. It is a common snack food or hors d'oeuvre, consisting of crackers paired with various cheeses. You can make this classic snack a beautiful, stand-out appetizer with just a few easy tricks.
Choosing the right crackers
When choosing crackers, you can go for a classic butter cracker or a water cracker. You can also use wheat or multi-grain crackers. If you want to get creative, you can choose flavoured crackers such as rosemary, onion and herb, or olive oil crackers. For a more robust and flavourful option, go for a cracker that can complement plainer cheeses. If you're serving stronger-flavoured cheeses, opt for a simple cracker that won't overpower their complex flavours. For blue cheese, sweet crackers pair surprisingly well. You can also use breadsticks or crostini for something a little different.
Selecting the perfect cheese
When it comes to cheese, it's important to choose high-quality options with ingredients you can feel good about. You can use sliced or cubed cheese, or go for a soft cheese that can be spread on the cracker. If you're feeling creative, try herbed cheeses like Boursin and havarti dill.
Adding some extras
To take your cheese and crackers to the next level, consider adding some extras like fruit, nuts, honey, or herbs. A slice of apple, pear, or mango can add a sweet and savoury element to your snack. You can also top your cheese and crackers with a dollop of preserves, such as jam, jelly, or marmalade. If you're feeling fancy, drizzle your creation with balsamic glaze or honey. For a nut-free option, simply choose crackers that are processed in a nut-free facility and avoid nuts as a topping.
Preparing in advance
If you're preparing your cheese and crackers in advance, make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap before storing them in the refrigerator. Cheese and crackers appetizers should not be prepared more than 24 hours in advance.
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Types of cheese
There are many different types of cheese, with over 1,800 distinct varieties produced globally. The type of milk used, as well as factors like temperature, humidity, and bacterial cultures, can greatly impact the final product's flavour, texture, and appearance.
Fresh Cheese
Fresh mozzarella is made by stretching curds before rolling them into balls, which are then packed in water to keep them fresh. It has a milky flavour and gooey texture. Bocconcini is another type of fresh cheese made from mozzarella, typically shaped into small, bite-sized balls. Burrata is another type of fresh cheese made from mozzarella, filled with a rich mixture of cream and stracciatella (shredded mozzarella).
Soft Cheese
Soft cheeses include brie, camembert, and ricotta. They are often spreadable and used in cooked foods. Soft-ripened cheese has a stronger flavour and softer interior as it ages, and is delicious with crackers or bread.
Semi-soft and Semi-hard Cheese
Gouda is a semi-hard to hard cheese with a smooth flavour that comes in several types depending on its age. It can be grated, sliced, cubed, and melted. Gorgonzola is a semi-soft blue cheese with a crumbly and soft texture, and its taste can range from creamy to sharp.
Hard Cheese
Hard cheeses include Parmesan, cheddar, and Gruyere. They are often grated and used in cooking. Swiss cheese is a generic name for a type of hard cheese, including Emmental and baby Swiss varieties, recognised by its holes and light or pale yellow colour.
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Types of crackers
When it comes to crackers, there is a dizzying array of options to choose from. The best cracker for you will depend on the type of cheese you plan to pair it with, as well as your personal preferences for texture and flavour.
If you're serving a strong-flavoured cheese, a milder, simpler cracker is usually best. Water crackers are a popular choice in this category, with some preferring the blander, the better. Carr's water crackers, for example, are recommended for their versatility and neutrality, allowing the cheese to take centre stage. Other simple crackers include rice crackers, baguette slices, and breadsticks.
On the other hand, if you're serving a milder cheese, you might opt for a more robust and flavourful cracker. For these pairings, seeded crackers, flatbreads, olive oil crackers, and multigrain or whole wheat crackers can be excellent choices.
For those who enjoy a crunchy texture, thin crisps or crackers are a great option, as they provide a satisfying bite without being too filling. 34 Degrees crackers, for instance, are praised for their ability to showcase the cheese. Wafer crackers from Olina's Bakehouse are another light and airy option that enhances the umami characteristics of the cheese.
If you're feeling adventurous, there are also a variety of flavoured crackers to explore. Sweet crackers, such as graham crackers or sugar cookies, can be paired with certain cheeses for a cheesecake-like experience. Fruit-flavoured crackers, such as rosemary raisin pecan, can also add an interesting dimension to your cheese and cracker pairing. For those who enjoy a salty kick, everything bagel crackers or garlic bagel crisps are worth considering.
Lastly, for those with dietary restrictions, there are gluten-free and low-carb options available, such as Absolutely Gluten-Free crackers, Crunchmaster seeded crackers, or rice crackers from Trader Joe's or Whole Foods.
With so many types of crackers to choose from, the possibilities for cheese and cracker pairings are endless.
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Frequently asked questions
You can make fancy cheese and crackers at home by adding meats, desserts, and other additional foods to elevate the dish.
Mass-produced cheese and crackers include Ritz, Jatz, Lunchables, and Lunchly.
You can buy crackers at most grocery stores. Some recommended brands include La Panzanella, Ritz Crackers, Trader Joe's Red Chili Scalloped Crackers, and Beecher's Crackers.
You can buy cheese at most grocery stores. When selecting a cheese to go with your crackers, choose a high-quality cheese with ingredients you can feel good about.
You can find ideas for a charcuterie board with cheese and crackers on food blogs and social media platforms such as Instagram.
