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Spicy Cilantro Crackers

Crackers are great little gems to have tucked away for the random occasion when you need something quick, savory and snappy. They shine in celebratory times where they make there subtle, but necessary, appearance on party trays. They come to the rescue during more dismal times–acting as the only food some folks can stomach when feeling under the weather. They also work well as a simple and delicious snack, for no good reason at all.

Store bought gf crackers can be quite costly, though. I’ve seen small (teeny) bags of them in my grocery store selling for seven dollars. Seven! Now, I appreciate a good snack that won’t compromise my health just as much as the next gal–but seven dollars? That’s just silly. And a darn good reason to make your own crackers from scratch. This particular recipe reminds me of a goldfish cracker with more sophistication, an extra dose of crunch, and a subtle touch of curry.

Spicy Cilantro Crackers ~Vegan & Gluten Free

makes about 60 crackers

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups besan (chickpea flour)
  • 1/2 cup sorghum flour
  • 1/2 cup potato starch
  • 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp xanthan gum
  • 1 + 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp red chili pepper powder (or 2 if you REALLY want some spicy crackers)
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp coriander
  • 1 tsp curry powder
  • 1/4 tsp methi powder
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup very cold water
  • additional 1/2 cup sorghum flour + extra for rolling
  • 1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro (please don’t use dried)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 °F.

In large mixing bowl, combine besan, 1/2 cup sorghum flour, potato starch, nutritional yeast, xanthan gum, salt and spices. Mix together well so that each flour has been completely blended.

Stir in olive oil, ensuring even distribution throughout flours. Your flour mix will become somewhat crumbly. Stir in water, and knead briefly with hands until a sticky dough is formed. Use a fork or your hands to incorporate the remaining 1/2 cup sorghum flour. Fold in cilantro, and mix well with your hands until there are little flecks of green scattered throughout your dough.

Roll dough out onto a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 of an inch thickness. Cut cracker shapes with a small round cookie cutter… or use a pizza cutter to cut into rectangles.

Scoop up with very flat spatula and place onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until they turn lightly golden brown. If you under bake them, they won’t be very crunchy.

Let cool completely and then munch away!

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36 Responses to Spicy Cilantro Crackers

  1. Silefer says:

    I would love these on a non gluten free recipe , anyone ever care to experiment?

  2. Lisa P says:

    I made these the other night, just couldn’t get them out of my mind. i love crackers, anything savory and LOVE Cilantro (though i think these would work well with dill, basil or parsley if you don’t like cilantro).
    I used rice flour as i could find chickpea flour- turned out great!!
    I even brushed them with a touch of olive oil as i found the tops a little dusty from the flouring.
    I am having them with my fresh home-salsa right now.
    Anyway, thanks for this excellent recipe. :)

  3. Mo says:

    Beautiful!

  4. Kathleen says:

    Hmm, I was just talking about how I had never made crackers before. This recipe looks like a fantastic place to start from (although I think I might despicify it a bit- I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to spicy foods! ;))

  5. Scrumptious says:

    My best friend and I were hanging out with a bunch of omnis a couple of weeks ago and they were playing that favorite game omnis love to play with vegans, “If you could pick one non-vegan thing that you can’t eat anymore…” and my friend said he still misses Goldfish crackers. I didn’t know that and it immediately made me want to make them for him somehow, but of course I’d want them to be GF so I could have some, too. I’m so excited to try out this recipe (and maybe make them into little fishy shapes?) and see if it can bring some of the Goldfish joy.

    • allyson says:

      yes! if there’s a way to add some more of that “cheddar” flavor (more nooch?), I think that would really kick em up to goldfish status… :) Let me know if you find a cute fishy cutter! I’d love to get my hands on one of those! I too miss goldfish crackers and I love to try and tackle them head on ;) You’re such a good friend. <3

  6. These look and sound amazing. Your photography is so beautiful!

  7. these are so cute and they sound both yummy and fun to make. What are you serving on the crackers in the top picture? It looks like cheese… I’m searching for a good cheese substitute (anything that is good to snack on crackers or have in sandwiches) now that i found out that i also can’t eat dairy.

    • allyson says:

      Thank you Heather!

      The spread on the crackers is actually a thick cheesy hummus spread ( made with nutritional yeast) with a few shredded carrots thrown in. If you are in search of a great cheese for spreading on crackers… check out Dr. Cow’s cheese http://www.dr-cow.com/products/ ! It’s pricey, but very delicious, and imho, worth every penny for a nice splurge. <3

  8. Melisser says:

    These are gorgeous! I miss good crackers now that I’m in Vienna.

  9. Linda says:

    Tese look adorable and so incredibly good! I love the speckling of fresh herbs. Great recipe!

  10. Kristine says:

    Oh! My Gosh!

    LOVE!!!!!!!!!! I so love these!!!!!!!!

    thank you!!!

    xo

  11. Jeannie says:

    Wow! those crackers look so delicious! I love the cilantro leaves, making the cookies look so decorative!

  12. These look great if I pretend those green flakes aren’t cilantro! I can’t stand the stuff, but I could definitely see myself making these without the offending herb! I especially like the idea of spicy crackers.

  13. Havah says:

    What cookie cutter did you use? Is there something similar available online?
    Great recipe… I look forward to trying it.

  14. Katrina says:

    Awesome. I love cilantro flavour! These crackers sound so good!

  15. Mihl says:

    These look amazing as usual!

  16. Gauri Radha गौरी राध says:

    Those look splendid!!

  17. Junia says:

    this looks fantastic! wow! thanks for the recipe post!

  18. veganlisa says:

    I love indian flavours in my crackers. What a great recipe!

  19. Laurel says:

    They do look lovely (as always) but I need to get onto an Indian grocer. Plus I looked up ‘methi’ powder and it is apparently ground fenugreek which people may be able to find more readily. BTW I’ve been missing you and your posts.
    Please let us know when we can pre-order your cookbook. Thanks for brightening up the week.

    • allyson says:

      Hi Laurel!

      You’re always so on top of things! :)

      I will most certainly let you know when the book is ready to be ordered!!! Hope you have a delightful weekend. <3

  20. jessy says:

    your cilantro infused (i wanted to say cilantroy, but it looks so silly!) crackers look perfect, Allyson! nooch, chili powder, cilantro – in cracker form?!?! hell yeah, that’s what i’m talk’n about. crackers are crazy expensive, but i totally shell out for them ’cause i’m a sucker and i’m lazy. i never really thought too much about making my own as i figured they’d be too tough to make, but i’m reconsidering now! w00t!

  21. sweet road says:

    These look great, perfect for certain cheeses! And maybe some corn salsa as well!

  22. Alissa says:

    $7 for crackers? No wonder you made these. These look great, and appear much better (and probably taste that way too) than typically over-salted and severely buttered. These look much more appetizing and way more delicious! Great job.

  23. Wendi says:

    Those look yummy! I have been loving those gluten free crackers but they are pricey…and cilantro too!

  24. Shelley says:

    you had me at ‘reminds me of a goldfish cracker, but more sophisticated’. I must try these!

  25. bitt says:

    I wish I had a local Indian grocery…probably is one in Seattle.

    These are so cute! No palm oil either which is rampant in those store-bought ones, other than Mary’s which I don’t care for and broke my tooth.

  26. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Your Daily Vegan, Allyson Kramer. Allyson Kramer said: Spicy Cilantro Crackers~ #vegan #glutenfree and crunchtastic! http://tinyurl.com/6dqecc5 […]

  27. leslie says:

    Wow- those look great!!

  28. Caitlin says:

    those look gorgeous AND delicious! and i have all of the ingredients..except for methi powder, which i’ve never heard of!

    • allyson says:

      Thanks Caitlin! As far as the methi, you can just leave it out. I have a slight addiction to adding methi powder to random things… If you are really curious, you can find it at your friendly local Indian grocery. :)

    • kittee says:

      methi is fenugreek! you can buy whole seeds pretty easily in any co-op or natural foods store (along with indian markets) and grind it in a clean coffee grinder.

      these look magnificent, allyson!
      xo
      kittee