Homemade crackers are easier to make than you might think! These sesame crackers can be dressed up for fancy parties but are also simple enough for everyday snacking the whole family will love.
If you’re looking for a way to snack healthier, try making your own crackers from scratch!
While it may sound intimidating, I promise you, it’s not. These sesame crackers are easy enough to make that beginning bakers can make a batch and impress friends with gorgeous trays of these beautiful crackers.
In fact, it’s so easy to make, that it’s one of the recipes I’ve featured in my second cookbook, The Super Easy Teen Baking Cookbook!
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🌟 Why this recipe works
These homemade sesame crackers are a winning snack or party appetizer.
- The recipe uses simple ingredients that are easy to find in any local grocery store. You probably already have most, if not all, of the ingredients in your house.
- Making crackers from scratch is better for you. They contain no additives or preservatives or weird hard to pronounce ingredients that storebought packaged crackers might contain.
- These beautiful crackers can be served in either casual, everyday snacking settings or dressed up, fancy dinner parties.
- They are delicious all on their own. Or serve them with your favorite dip.
🛒 Ingredient notes
You just need a few simple pantry staple ingredients to make these yummy crackers.
- Dry ingredients – you’ll need all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Seeds – sesame seeds & poppy seeds add delicious texture and visual appeal to both the inside dough and the toppings to these crackers.
- Parmesan cheese – adds a subtle nutty flavor.
- Liquids – water and vegetable oil help bring the dough together.
- Egg wash – this helps add a subtle sheen to the dough and crispness.
- Salt – Use kosher salt for the best flavor.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
You’ll find more detailed instructions and a full list of ingredients with measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here are some step-by-step photos and a brief overview to help you along the way.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the topping ingredients and set aside.
- Slowly add the water, then the oil, and form the batter into a dough ball.
- Divide the dough into two dough balls, then roll and flatten.
- Score the dough.
5. Brush the dough with an egg wash, then sprinkle the remaining toppings.
6. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Immediately snap apart at the score lines. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
Yes! The recipe card calls for an egg white, but I’ve used a full egg with yolk included and both work just fine. The addition of the yolk tends to give the finished crackers a slightly darker color after baking.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. Keep closed tight to keep the crackers from going stale too quickly.
🍽 Serving ideas
These sesame crackers are delicious served as a snack for snackers of all ages. Or, serve it as a party appetizer.
It’s great to include as part of a brunch board or seacuterie board. Serve it alongside a flavorful dip like dairy-free spinach dip or smoked salmon spinach dip.
🍷 🥂 Wine pairings
If you’re serving this at a 21+ party as an appetizer, pair it with Champagne or other sparkling wine.
More snack recipes
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Sesame Crackers
Equipment
Ingredients
For the crackers
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 3 Tablespoons white sesame seeds
- 2 Tablespoons poppy seeds
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅓ cup warm water, plus more as needed
- ½ cup vegetable oil
For the toppings
- 1 large egg white
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 Tablespoon white sesame seeds
- 1 Tablespoon poppy seeds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, Parmesan cheese, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, baking powder, and salt.
- Slowly add the warm water and stir with a spatula or wooden spoon.
- Add the oil and stir until the dough starts to form a smooth ball. Add more water by the teaspoonful, as needed.
- Divide the dough into 2 balls. Using a rolling pin, flatten each ball of dough into a rectangle about 9" x 13"
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg white. Then use a pastry brush to brush it over the dough.
- In another small bowl, whisk together the Parmesan cheese, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds for the topping. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the dough.
- Using a pizza cutter or knife, score the dough to create the cracker shapes. To do this, gently cut 7-8 score lines about 1-inch wide into the top of each rectangle, taking care NOT to cut the entire way through the dough. Then make about 11-12 score lines in the opposite direction, also about 1-inch apart. You should have anywhere from 70 to 80 crackers scored, depending on how thick you roll the dough and size of each cracker.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the crackers are golden brown. Remove from the oven and immediately snap the crackers apart along the scored lines. If you leave them too long they sometimes puff a bit and won't snap along the lines as well.
- Place crackers on a rack to cool for 10 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
