Umami Nut and Seed Crackers (Low FODMAP)

10 Minutes Prep • 50 Minutes Cook • Low FODMAP • Gluten-free • Dairy Free • Vegan • Serving size 3 - 4 crackers • Ok to make ahead: Steps 1-4

If you know me, you know I always have seed crackers on hand. And if I’m running low, you’ll find me in the kitchen whipping up another batch! They are the perfect substitute for flour-based crackers and they add a ton of healthy ingredients and plants to your diet. In fact, this recipe includes 15 different plant-based ingredients! I have published a couple of versions of this recipe before, but because I make them so often, the recipe evolves and improves each time. So, I have to share this latest version with you!

Ingredients

3/4 cup raw sunflower seeds

3/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds

1 cup ground macadamia nuts

1/4 cup chia seeds (I use white but you can use any color. These are important - they hold everything together.)

1/2 cup whole flax seeds (any color is fine)

1 cup sliced almonds (or finely chopped)

1/4 cup flax seed meal

1/4 cup hulled hemp seeds (also called hemp hearts)

1/4 cup sesame seeds

1/4 cup psyllium husk powder (adds fiber and helps the crackers hold together better)

1/3 cup nutritional yeast (adds protein, fiber, B vitamins, and that good umami flavor)

1 1/2 cups hot water

2 tablespoons olive oil (I use Tuscan Herb olive oil for even more flavor)

1 heaping tablespoon dried thyme

1 heaping tablespoon dried rosemary

1 heaping teaspoon cumin powder

1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 teaspoons Kosher salt

Directions

(1) Prepare: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lay parchment on two large, rimmed baking sheets. Grind the macadamia nuts in your food processor until they are a fine meal, but not quite turning to nut butter. Chop the almonds if you aren’t using pre-sliced almonds.

(2) Mix ingredients: Combine all dry ingredients (including ground macadamia nuts) in a mixing bowl and stir well. Add the water and the olive oil and stir again. Let sit (and stir a couple of times) for a minute or two until most of the liquid is absorbed.

(3) Prepare to bake: Lay a sheet of parchment paper out on a cutting board. Put half the mixture on the parchment sheet then lay another sheet of parchment on top of the mixture. Use your hands to smooth it out as EVENLY and thinly as you can. You want the entire amount to be as close to the same thickness as possible so you don’t overcook/undercook parts of your tray. Transfer the whole thing to your baking sheet and remove the top sheet of parchment.

(4) Score the crackers: Before baking, use a dull knife to score the entire sheet into a grid of about 3-inch square pieces by cutting 3 lines down the length of the pan and 4 or 5 lines across the narrow part of the pan. This helps the crackers cook more evenly and makes it easier to break them into pieces once cooked and cooled.

(5) Bake: Bake for 35 – 50 minutes (depending on how thick they are) until crispy but not burned. Swap your pans from top to bottom in your oven halfway through baking. To check for doneness, lift the parchment up and see if the cracker cracks or bends. If it bends instead of cracking, then cook it a few minutes longer. When done, remove from the oven and let cool. When cool, break into crackers.

(6) Troubleshooting: If your crackers are not all the same thickness some sections may be a bit chewy while others are crisp. Remove from the oven, let cool, and break all the crisp parts off leaving the thicker parts on the pan. Then, simply put them back in the oven and cook for another 5 minutes or so.

(7) Plate and serve: Eat your seed crackers plain as a crisp and flavorful snack or serve them with your favorite cheese, hummus, tapenade, nut butter, or whatever you like.

(8) Storage: Crackers will stay crisp and fresh if stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks (but they are unlikely to last that long because they’re so good!)

Eat and enjoy every bite because you can!

Recipe note: I use Diamond Crystal Kosher salt in all my recipes because it has a wonderful flat and crisp flake that tastes delicious. It is also the least salty salt available so you can use it more liberally as a seasoning than you can table salt or sea salt. If you use another type of salt, you may need to reduce the amount so it is not over-salted. 

Have a question you’d like to have answered? Email me at hello@ibsgamechanger.com

Link note: This post may contain affiliate links for you to easily purchase items that are linked. I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases but none of this costs you a thing so feel free to use the links! In addition, for some items, I have provided a special discount code for IBS Game Changers so be sure to use the code when you purchase an item to get the discount that has been arranged just for you.

More Deliciously Low FODMAP™ appetizer recipes