I can’t seem to make it through a single trip to the grocery store without passing a huge display of cracker boxes at some point. And the photos on the front of the box always look so delicious and inviting.
But then I look at the list of ingredients on the nutrition panel. O…M…G!!!
Even the “natural,”, “gluten-free” and “organic” varieties have at least one ingredient I don’t care to consume, or can’t because it inflames the heck out my stomach.
But dang it, I love a good cracker!
So I set out to find a recipe for a crunchy and delicious cracker I could make myself…and one that’s also bursting with nutrition. Plus, it needed to be totally free of dairy, gluten and inflammation-causing grains like corn.
Guess what? I found it!!! And I’m so excited to share it with you here!
THE RECIPE
To make this recipe, you only need four types of seeds, water and the seasonings of your choice. Yes, it’s really that simple!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 Cup of Raw Chia Seeds (like this)
- 1/2 Cup of Raw Pumpkin Seeds / Pepitas (like this)
- 1/2 Cup of Raw Sesame Seeds (like this)
- 1/2 Cup of Raw Sunflower Seeds (like this)
- 1 Cup of Filtered Water
- 1/4 Teaspoon of Himalayan Pink Salt (like this) or Sea Salt (like this)
- Optional Seasonings to Taste: Garlic Powder, Black Pepper, Italian Seasoning
NOTE: Invest in organic herbs, spices and seasonings to ensure they were grown without harmful chemical pesticides. Starwest Botanicals is one of my favorite spice companies, and their prices are very reasonable for organic options. Click HERE to check them out.
Preparation:
- Combine the seeds, salt and seasonings in a bowl and mix well. (I prefer using glass mixing bowls like this, because they are easy to clean and don’t hold stains or odors.)
- Add the cup of water to the mixture and stir it in well with a spatula.
- Let the mixture sit for 30-45 minutes to let the seeds absorb the water.
- When the seeds are done soaking, preheat the oven to 300° F.
- Line a large baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper (like this) or a reusable Silpat baking mat (like this).
- Divide the mixture in half and spread each half of the mixture over the parchment paper or Silpat in two separate rectangles (a photo illustration is provided below). This will make it easier to flip the cracker sheets halfway through the baking process.
- If desired, sprinkle a little extra salt and seasoning on top of the rectangles.
- Put the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 35 minutes.
- After 35 minutes are up, remove the pan, carefully flip the rectangles over and bake for another 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown at the edges.
- Remove the baking sheet and let the cracker sheets cool for 10-15 minutes. Then, cut the sheets into individual crackers with a pizza cutter, or use my preferred method of just breaking them apart by hand into the desired size.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container (like these) for up to 2 weeks. Or, you can freeze them for up to a month.
Below is a photo of the seeds and seasonings combined in my mixing bowl.
Below is a photo of the cracker mix spread into two separate rectangles.
The photo below shows how the crackers look with my preferred method of breaking them up by hand. If you want a “cleaner” look, you can cut them evenly with a pizza cutter.
Be sure to store any leftovers in an airtight container like the one shown below to prevent them from softening.
Below is a photo of the crackers with one of my favorite toppings – fresh avocado mixed with organic salsa.
THE NUTRITION
Not only are these crackers super delicious, they are LOADED with nutrition and health benefits. Here are just a few of them:
- Chia seeds are bursting with omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, protein and antioxidants that fight disease. They help prevent certain forms of cancer, speed up skin repair to fight the signs of aging, improve heart health and boost your energy.
- Pumpkin seeds are loaded with magnesium, which is critical for over 300 biochemical processes in your body like regulating your blood pressure, helping you relax and proper bowel function (it’s all about the number 2!). They are also rich in zinc, which is critical for helping your immune system function well.
- Sesame seeds have a high copper content, which reduces inflammation in joints, bones and muscles. They also help with the formation of collagen in muscle tissue, hair and skin due to their high level of zinc content.
- Sunflower seeds have a high level of vitamin E, which helps reduce inflammation throughout the body and reduce inflammation-related diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. They are also an excellent source of selenium, which supports thyroid function.
WOW!!!
Cheers to enjoying these delicious grain-free seed crackers that are bursting with nutrition!
With love and gratitude,
Kandi
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