Red Meat Allergy Friendly Classic Saltine Crackers
There is something deeply satisfying about a cracker that snaps cleanly and tastes like it was made with actual care, and these homemade saltines deliver exactly that. The ingredient list is refreshingly short — flour, fat, salt, a touch of sugar, and cold water — which means every element on this list is completely free of red meat and any hidden animal-derived surprises that can sneak into processed snack foods. Store-bought crackers often come with vague ingredient panels that make label-reading a chore, so making your own puts you fully in control. The technique here is straightforward: work cold fat into seasoned flour, rest the dough, then roll it as thin as you possibly can for that signature crisp shatter. Docking each square all the way through to the parchment is the key step that keeps them flat and gives them those classic little holes. A brush of melted butter and a pinch of flaky salt before baking adds just enough richness and crunch on top. Let them cool completely on the rack and they'll firm up into the most satisfying, snackable crackers you've ever pulled from your own oven.
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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 butter or unsalted butter, cold butter 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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