Conventional snack foods, such as Cheese Its, are expensive, highly processed, completely lacking in nutritional value, and filled with lots of ingredients our family likes to avoid. But let me be honest, there’s still nothing quite like a cheesy and crispy cracker for a snack.
In order to satisfy our cracker cravings, I set out to create a Sourdough Discard Cheddar Cracker recipe to make from scratch. Now there is less incentive to splurge on expensive and unhealthy store bought crackers when I can make a big batch of these pretty easily!
Here you will find everything you need to know in order to make a batch of delicious, and crispy Sourdough Discard Cheddar Crackers. Get the health benefits of long fermentation by mixing them up the night before baking, or simply make and bake all in one day! Oh, they’re also cheaper to make from scratch than to buy at the grocery store! Plus you can know for sure what ingredients are in them. All of the needed details are listed down below. Haven’t begun your own sourdough starter yet? Scroll to the end of this post to find more information on that process.
How to Make Sourdough Cheddar Crackers
What You’ll Need
- Blender or food processor
- Large baking sheet
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Large mixing bowl
- Plastic wrap
Ingredients
- 8 oz (or one block) of shredded cheddar cheese
- 3/4 of cup sourdough discard
- 8 tbsp (one stick) melted butter
- 1 tsp of salt (plus a little more for sprinkling on top)
- 1 and 1/2 cups of flour
Step by Step Instructions
Follow these instructions if you are baking them right away (no long fermentation time):
- Preheat the oven to 375º.
- Combine shredded cheddar and melted butter in a blender or food processor until the texture resembles a paste.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, sourdough starter, and cheese paste. Incorporate ingredients with your hands until thoroughly combined. Form a dough ball.
- Roll the dough out between two pieces of parchment paper. The dough should be about 1/16th of an inch thick.
- Using a pizza cutter, cut dough into strips, then across to cut make squares.
- Poke at least one hole in each cracker to prevent “puffing up” as they bake.
- Lightly sprinkle crackers with salt.
- Bake at 375º for 16 minutes or until brown on the edges.
- Remove from oven and allow them to cool.
Follow these instructions if you are allowing the batter to ferment for at least 8 hours:
- Combine shredded cheddar and melted butter in a blender or food processor until the texture resembles a paste.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, sourdough starter, and cheese paste. Incorporate ingredients with your hands until thoroughly combined. Form a dough ball.
- Cover the dough ball with plastic wrap and allow to ferment at room temperature for 8-24 hours.
- The next day, preheat the oven to 375º.
- Roll the dough out between two pieces of parchment paper. The dough should be about 1/16th of an inch thick.
- Using a pizza cutter, cut dough into strips, then across to cut make squares.
- Poke at least one hole in each cracker to prevent “puffing up” as they bake.
- Lightly sprinkle crackers with salt.
- Bake at 375º for 16 minutes or until brown on the edges.
- Remove from oven and allow them to cool.
Keep in Mind:
- The sourdough starter does not have to be active and bubbly for this recipe. It is a great way to utilize sourdough discard (this simply means starter that is in an inactive state).
- Don’t forget to poke holes in each cracker so that they don’t puff up during baking.
If you make this recipe and love how it turned out, feel free to come back and comment about your experience. I’d love to see your creation and how you served it!
Why Is A Long Fermentation Time Healthier?
Fermentation allows the sourdough to break down the flour and make the crackers easier on the digestive system. You can read more details about this amazing process here.
How Can I Make My Own Sourdough Starter?
Interested in implementing sourdough into your kitchen? Here’s everything you need to know to get your sourdough starter going.
All it takes is flour, water, and about 7 days time.
I also answer a few of the most frequently asked questions about sourdough over here.
How is Sourdough Healthier than Regular Bread?
Read more in depth about the health benefits of sourdough here. I explain four reasons that sourdough is one of the healthiest breads you can consume, as well as describe how the fermentation process of sourdough works.
More Sourdough Recipes:
- Sourdough Blueberry Muffins | Naturally Sweetened
- Naturally Sweetened Sourdough Pancakes
- Naturally Sweetened Sourdough Waffles
- Basic Homemade Naturally Sweetened Granola
- Homemade Sourdough Discard Crackers
- Sourdough Red Lobster Biscuits
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