How to Make Healthy Cheesy Crackers with 1 Cup Flour?

on

As someone who loves experimenting in the kitchen, I’ve always been curious about recipes that use exactly one cup of flour. It’s such a simple, manageable amount—perfect for small households like mine, where my husband Francis and I don’t eat as much as we used to. Being seniors, we’re more conscious of what we put on our plates, so I wanted to create a healthier snack recipe that doesn’t leave us with too many leftovers.

That’s how these healthy cheesy crackers came to life. Let me tell you—they are crispy, crunchy, and full of flavor. But fair warning: if you don’t roll the dough thin enough, they can end up harder than expected after cooling down. Rolling it paper-thin is absolutely key, and I’ll share a little trick for that in a bit.

The Recipe That Almost Scares You Off

I’ll admit, this recipe can feel daunting at first glance—it has 12 ingredients! Not everyone has things like onion powder or smoked paprika in their pantry. But trust me, if you gather all the ingredients and give it a shot, you won’t be disappointed. The flavor payoff is worth the effort.

One ingredient you absolutely shouldn’t skip is the parmesan cheese. Even though it’s just 2 tablespoons, it’s what gives these crackers their amazing umami flavor. If you’re worried about how “healthy” it is, don’t be. That small amount won’t make much of a difference, but it makes a huge impact on taste.

Making the Dough

The process of making these crackers is simple but does require a bit of patience. After mixing the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients separately, I gradually added cold water—just one tablespoon at a time—until the dough came together. In total, I used about 5 tablespoons, but this might vary depending on your flour and environment.

Here’s where I like to share my personal hack: I roll out my dough between two sheets of baking paper. This makes cleanup easier and ensures the dough doesn’t stick to the rolling pin. And I don’t bother reshaping the dough into perfect squares or circles. Honestly, the crackers taste just as good even if they have “unique” shapes.


But here’s the most important part: roll the dough paper-thin. When I say thin, I mean almost translucent. Anything thicker will result in crackers that are too hard after baking. I learned this the hard way!

Shaping and Baking

For shaping, I used a plastic cake scraper to cut the dough into rectangles. Before baking, I sprinkled sesame seeds on some crackers and chia seeds on others. While this looks pretty, I noticed that the seeds didn’t stick well after baking. If you don’t want seeds falling off everywhere, it might be better to mix them directly into the dough.


I baked the crackers at 130°C for 40 minutes. The smell in the kitchen as they baked was incredible—cheesy and aromatic from the rosemary and spices. Keeping them in the oven longer ensured they turned out crisp and golden.

The Result

The crackers turned out beautifully. They were packed with flavor, with a hint of smokiness from the paprika and a subtle warmth from the turmeric. Despite my skepticism, the ½ teaspoon of salt was just the right amount.


However, as I mentioned earlier, the crackers do harden as they cool. Francis had a good laugh trying to bite into one of the thicker ones. It was a fun moment we captured on video! This is why I can’t emphasize enough—roll your dough thin.

Why This Recipe Works for Us

As a senior couple, we love recipes that are scaled down. Using just one cup of flour made this recipe perfect for us—small enough to enjoy without overindulging. Plus, it’s a healthier alternative to store-bought snacks, thanks to the use of coconut oil and wholesome ingredients.

If you’re someone who loves trying out unique recipes, give these cheesy crackers a shot. They might take a bit more effort, but the results are worth it. Let me know if you try them out and how they turn out for you!

Ingredient
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
⅛ teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
2 tablespoon coconut oil
1 teaspoon white vinegar 
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
5 to 6 tablespoons cold water (or more as needed)

Method for Healthy Cheese Crackers with Rosemary and Sesame Seeds
  • Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
  • Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, parmesan cheese, baking powder, salt, onion powder, smoked paprika, and turmeric. Whisk well to evenly distribute the spices.
  • Add Coconut Oil and Vinegar: Add the coconut oil and white vinegar to the dry mixture. Use your hands or a pastry cutter to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  • Incorporate Water: Gradually add 5 to 6 tablespoons of cold water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing with a spoon or your hands until a soft, pliable dough forms. Add more water if needed, but avoid making the dough too sticky.
  • Add Rosemary: Sprinkle the dried rosemary into the dough and knead gently to incorporate it evenly.
  • Roll Out Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface. Roll it out to about 2–3 mm (⅛ inch) thick using a rolling pin.
  • Cut Crackers: Use a knife or a pizza cutter to cut the dough into small squares or rectangles. Carefully transfer them to the prepared baking tray, spacing them slightly apart.
  • Add Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle sesame seeds evenly over the crackers and press lightly to make them stick.
  • Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until the crackers turn golden brown and crispy. Rotate the tray halfway through baking for even cooking.
  • Cool and Store: Let the crackers cool completely on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Comments

Post a Comment