Black Pepper Free Classic Saltine Crackers
Store-bought crackers are notorious for sneaking in black pepper — sometimes in the seasoning blend, sometimes just as a default "classic" flavor — which makes finding a clean, simple option genuinely frustrating. These homemade saltines solve that completely, built from a short list of pantry staples with zero hidden spices. The dough comes together with flour, baking powder, salt, a touch of sugar, and cold fat, then gets rolled paper-thin for that signature snap. A quick brush of melted butter and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt before baking gives each cracker a subtle richness and just the right amount of savory finish. Docking the squares with a fork keeps them flat and creates those satisfying little holes that make a saltine look and feel like the real thing. They bake up pale golden and crisp, and they continue to firm as they cool on the rack — so resist the urge to judge them too early. Whether you're pairing them with soup, cheese, or just eating them straight from the pan, these deliver everything you want from a classic cracker without any of the ingredients you're trying to avoid.
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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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