Barley Free Classic Saltine Crackers
Store-bought crackers are one of those sneaky sources of barley or barley-derived ingredients, whether it's malt flavoring, barley flour blended in for texture, or vague "natural flavors" that leave you guessing. This homemade version keeps things refreshingly straightforward — just all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, cold fat, and water, so you know exactly what you're eating. The technique is what makes these genuinely good: rolling the dough nearly translucent, docking each square all the way through to the parchment, and baking hot and fast produces that signature crisp snap you expect from a proper saltine. A brush of melted butter and a scatter of flaky sea salt right before the oven gives them a savory, slightly rich finish that honestly puts the boxed stuff to shame. They crisp up even further as they cool on the rack, so patience pays off. Serve them with soup, pile on cheese, or just eat them straight — they disappear fast either way.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp fine salt
- ½ tsp granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp vegetable shortening or unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
- ½ cup cold water
For brushing
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
For topping
- ½ tsp flaky sea salt or coarse salt
Instructions
- 1
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, fine salt, and sugar until evenly combined.
- 2
Add the cold shortening (or butter pieces) to the flour mixture and work it in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse, slightly sandy crumbs with no large pieces remaining.
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