What is Cracker Bread?

There are a great many kinds of crackers, and they can be made from a variety of ingredients, depending on what is available.

Crackers are eaten around the world in many different situations, and they are a popular dish that most people enjoy. The term usually refers to a savory foodstuff, and in general, they are used to complement other dishes, forming a side or a snack, rather than the main meal.

Crackers can come in all different shapes and sizes, and most cultures eat crackers in some form or another. They are definitely a versatile snack!

Almost all crackers are made using cereal grains and they are usually quite plain, although some are flavored with things like garlic, rosemary, salt, cheese, or chili. Common crackers include goldfish crackers, Ritz crackers, rice crackers, water biscuits, and graham crackers.

Crackers are always dry, so they are usually eaten with a spread or dip of some sort, and they need to be wrapped in airtight packaging, or they will absorb moisture from the surrounding air and become soft.

This kind of food is considered a staple in many countries and is often used as a substitute for bread because it lasts much better, as long as it is kept dry. Crackers have a great shelf life and this has made them an ideal traveling food.

Almost all crackers have holes in them; these are poked while the crackers are baking to prevent air pockets from forming in the dough.

The History Of Cracker Bread

It’s difficult to say exactly when crackers were invented because they are found in so many cultures, but some people suggest that they were invented in 1792, in Massachusetts, by a man called John Pearson.

He created Pearson’s Pilot Bread, intended for sailors, and it immediately became popular because it lasted well.

His success was followed in 1801 by Josiah Bent, who accidentally burned some biscuits and ended up marketing them to the public as a delicious snack food. He is said to have invented the name "cracker" due to the noise the biscuits made in his oven.

From there, crackers in every size, shape, and flavor have been developed and spread across the globe.

Ingredients In Cracker Bread

The ingredients in crackers can vary, but they are usually made with a cereal grain. Herbs, salt, cheese, or seasoning can be added to the dough or sprinkled on it before the crackers are baked.

In general, the ingredients in crackers are:

• Flour

• Yeast

• Fat

• Raising agent

• Water

• Seasoning/flavors

Some crackers are made using corn, rye, oats, or puffed rice instead of wheat flour, and this will alter the taste and texture.

Cracker Bread Nutritional Information

Crackers are often touted as being a staple food because they contain grains, so they make a good substitute for bread. How healthy they are is pretty dependent on the ingredients, but high fiber crackers can be reasonably healthy.

However, it is important to keep an eye on the salt content, as this is often high, and could make the snack unsuitable. Low fiber crackers are also not particularly healthy because you need to eat a lot of them to feel full.

Choose crackers with whole wheat in them for the best results, and keep an eye on what other ingredients have been added. On the whole, crackers are neither healthy nor unhealthy, and you will need to assess the individual kinds before you know whether you should eat them.

How To Make Crackers

Crackers are made by mixing all of the ingredients to form a tacky dough.

Next, you need to layer the dough and poke holes in it to allow the air to be released while it bakes. It can then be transferred to a hot oven to be cooked.

Some crackers are sprayed with hot oil after being baked, while others are seasoned. They should then be left to cool.

Cracker Bread Recipes

There are many recipes for making crackers, so you can choose your favorite or make multiple different kinds. It’s fairly easy to make basic crackers with wheat flour, yeast, fat, water, and a raising agent.

Once you have learned to make simple crackers, you can start adjusting your recipe to add new flavors or variations. Almost anything goes well with crackers, as long as it is savory!

Cracker Bread FAQ's