Crispy Homemade Goldfish Crackers Recipe: Snack Magic!

Crafting goldfish crackers at home reimagines an ordinary snack into a delightful culinary adventure.

These adorable, cheesy bites offer a playful twist on the classic store-bought version.

Home cooks can easily recreate this beloved childhood treat with simple ingredients and minimal effort.

The process involves mixing, rolling, and cutting dough into charming little fish shapes that delight both kids and adults.

Crisp, golden, and packed with sharp cheddar flavor, these homemade crackers surpass their packaged counterparts in taste and quality.

Nutritious ingredients and complete control over what goes into the recipe make this a smart choice for health-conscious snackers.

Your kitchen will buzz with excitement as these delectable morsels bake to crispy perfection.

How to Make Goldfish Crackers in Your Kitchen

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 350°F (180°C). Get ready for some baking magic!

Step 2: Blend the Cracker Base

• Shredded cheese
• Flour
• Cold butter

Pulse the mixture in quick bursts until it looks like coarse beach sand.

Step 3: Create the Dough Magic

Drizzle in ice water, one tablespoon at a time. Pulse gently until the mixture starts to clump together. Don’t go crazy with mixing- you want just enough to form a soft dough.

Step 4: Chill and Rest the Dough

Transfer the dough onto a clean surface. Knead it tenderly until it comes together smoothly. Shape into a neat disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and send it to the refrigerator for a 30-minute relaxation session.

Step 5: Roll and Shape Your Crackers

• Use a tiny fish-shaped cookie cutter
• Or slice into adorable square crackers with a pizza cutter

Collect the leftover dough, re-roll, and keep cutting until every bit is used.

Step 6: Bake to Crispy Perfection

Arrange your cracker shapes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes. Watch them closely- these little guys can turn from golden to burnt in a flash! Let them cool completely before munching.

Tips for Crispy, Savory Homemade Goldfish Crackers

• Chill for Crispiness: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to ensure a flaky, crisp texture that mimics traditional goldfish crackers.
• Master the Texture: Pulse the dough just until it comes together, avoiding over-mixing to maintain a light, crumbly consistency.
• Choose Sharp Cheese: Use high-quality, sharp cheddar cheese for maximum flavor and that classic goldfish tang.
• Roll Thin for Crunch: Roll the dough to a consistent ⅛-inch thickness to achieve the perfect crispy cracker experience.
• Watch Closely While Baking: Monitor crackers carefully during the last few minutes of baking to prevent burning and ensure a golden, crisp finish.

How to Store and Keep Homemade Goldfish Crackers Crunchy

• Refrigerate: Store cooled crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and maintain crispness.
• Freeze: Pack crackers in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Crisp Restoration: Refresh slightly softened crackers by placing them on a baking sheet and heating in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes. Let cool completely before enjoying their renewed crunchiness.

Snacks and Sips to Pair with Goldfish Crackers

• Pair with Zesty Dips: Complement these homemade goldfish crackers with tangy ranch, spicy salsa, or creamy hummus for an explosion of flavors that elevate the cheesy crunch.
• Match with Cool Beverages: Serve alongside refreshing apple juice, sparkling water with lemon, or a light craft beer to balance the rich, cheesy taste of the crackers.
• Create a Snack Platter: Arrange the crackers with fresh cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, and small cubes of salami for a delightful charcuterie-style appetizer that offers variety and texture.
• Combine with Soup Companions: Crumble these crackers over tomato soup, creamy potato soup, or butternut squash soup to add a delicious, crispy element that enhances the overall dining experience.

Homemade Goldfish Flavors You Can Try

• Cheesy Herb Crackers: Add dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil to the dough for an aromatic, savory flavor that elevates the classic cheese cracker.
• Spicy Jalapeño Cheddar Crackers: Mix in finely chopped jalapeños and use sharp cheddar cheese to create a zesty, kick-packed snack that brings heat to every bite.
• Whole Wheat Parmesan Crackers: Substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour and use freshly grated Parmesan for a nuttier, more robust cracker with added nutritional value.
• Garlic Powder Ranch Crackers: Sprinkle garlic powder and dried ranch seasoning into the dough for a tangy, ranch-inspired cracker that mimics the popular flavor profile.

Why Homemade Goldfish Crackers Are a Fun Snack for All Ages

• Craft Cheesy Homemade Goodness: These goldfish crackers deliver a delightful homemade twist on the classic snack, allowing you to control ingredients and create fresh, preservative-free treats right in your kitchen.
• Quick and Simple Preparation: The recipe requires minimal ingredients and basic kitchen tools like a food processor, making it an easy cooking project that takes less than an hour from start to finish, perfect for busy families or spontaneous baking sessions.
• Customizable Flavor Adventure: You can experiment with different cheese types, add herbs or spices, and create unique shapes, transforming a standard cracker recipe into a personalized snacking experience that kids and adults will love.
• Healthier Snacking Option: By making crackers from scratch, you eliminate artificial preservatives and can choose high-quality, fresh ingredients, providing a more nutritious alternative to store-bought versions while enjoying a fun cooking process.

Ingredients for Cheesy Homemade Goldfish Crackers

• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and tangy cheese that provides rich flavor and golden color to crackers.
• Unsalted Butter: Cold butter creates flaky, tender texture in the cracker dough.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the cracker ingredients together.

• Ice Water: Helps bring the dough together and ensures a smooth, pliable consistency without overworking the mixture.

Homemade Goldfish Crackers Recipe

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4.5 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Goldfish crackers bring nostalgic cheesy goodness straight from your kitchen. Crisp, savory squares offer a playful twist on classic snacking that delights both kids and adults with homemade charm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (226 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup (120 grams) all-purpose flour
• 4 tablespoons (56 grams) unsalted butter, cold

Liquid Ingredient:

• 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 milliliters) ice water, as needed

Seasoning/Optional Ingredients:

None specified in the original recipe

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Instructions

1. Prepare the base mixture by combining shredded cheese, flour, and chilled butter in a food processor, pulsing until the texture resembles coarse sand.
2. Gradually introduce ice water to the mixture, pulsing briefly until the dough begins to coalesce, being mindful not to overwork the mixture.
3. Transfer the delicate dough onto a clean surface and gently manipulate it into a cohesive disc, then encase in plastic wrap and allow to rest in the refrigerator for half an hour.
4. On a lightly dusted work surface, carefully roll the chilled dough to an even thickness, aiming for a thin, uniform layer approximately ⅛ to ¼ inch thick.
5. Utilize a small cookie cutter to create playful fish-shaped crackers, or alternatively slice the dough into precise square segments using a pizza cutter.
6. Reassemble the remaining dough scraps, re-roll, and continue cutting until all the mixture is transformed into potential crackers.
7. Arrange the shaped crackers onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring minimal overlap between pieces.
8. Slide the baking sheet into a preheated oven set at 350°F (180°C), monitoring closely for 10 minutes or until the edges develop a golden-brown hue.
9. Remove from the oven and allow the crackers to cool completely, ensuring a crisp and satisfying texture before serving.

Notes

• Chilling the dough helps develop a crumbly, tender texture that melts in your mouth.
• Leftover crackers stay crispy when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar or smoked gouda to create unique flavor profiles that will surprise your taste buds.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 223
• Sugar: 0.3 g
• Sodium: 159 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 0.6 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg