Are your kids obsessed with goldfish cheese crackers? Let’s make these little fishies at home so they can have their favorite snack the healthier way. These Homemade Goldfish Cheese Crackers (Crunchy!) are extra flaky and just melt-in-the-mouth delicious!
I have tried several cheese cracker recipes, but most are not crunchy enough! This recipe was developed to be crunchy, flaky, and taste as good as store-bought. Ready to “wow” your kids? Thank me later!
These crunchy goldfish crackers are the best toddler-friendly snack options because you have complete control over what goes into them (no added sugars, unnecessary additives, or food coloring).
With a few essential ingredients, such as real cheese, spices, and a cute goldfish cookie cutter, you can create a snack way better than anything at the grocery store! These homemade goldfish crackers are perfect for packing into school lunches and a quick munch.
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Table of Contents
Reasons to Love These Homemade Goldfish Cheese Crackers (Crunchy!)
- Made with Real Foods: These crackers have natural, wholesome ingredients. Using sharp cheddar cheese, all-purpose flour, butter, and spices means I know exactly what’s going into them. There are no preservatives or artificial flavors—just pure, tasty goodness.
- Fun to Make: Crafting these crackers is so much fun. You and the little one will especially enjoy cutting out those cute fish shapes. Rolling out the dough on a lightly floured surface and using a small cookie cutter turns baking into an enjoyable activity—for you and the kids.
- Customizable Flavors: One of the best parts is how easy it is to tweak the recipe. I like adding a pinch of garlic or onion powder for an extra kick. Sometimes, I make spicy goldfish crackers by sprinkling them with cayenne pepper.
- Perfect Snack for Any Occasion: These crispy crackers bake to a beautiful golden brown, making them the perfect snack for school lunches or afternoon/bedtime snacks. They store well – in an airtight container, so I always have some on hand.
- No Need for Store-Bought Versions: Why buy Pepperidge Farm or other store-bought original goldfish crackers when I can make my own? Using real cheese instead of pre-shredded cheese gives them a richer flavor, and I skip unnecessary additives.
- Simple Ingredients and Tools: You only need essential kitchen tools, such as a baking sheet, parchment paper, and perhaps a pizza cutter if you don’t have a fish-shaped cutter. It’s incredible how something so simple can be so tasty.
Goldfish Cheese Crackers Recipe Ingredients
- All-purpose Flour is the foundation of our cracker recipe. It gives the crackers their structure and the perfect crunch we all love.
- Smoked Paprika: I like to add smoked paprika for a subtle smoky flavor that increases the cheesy goodness. It also gives the crackers a lovely color.
- Onion Powder: A dash of onion powder adds a mild savory note that complements the cheese without overpowering it.
- Butter, Cut into Cubes, and Chilled: Using cold butter cut into cubes is helpful because it creates that flaky texture in the crackers. Also, keeping the butter chilled prevents it from melting too quickly, so you get the perfect layers.
- Cheddar Cheese – Grated: I prefer grating sharp or white cheddar cheese. Freshly grated cheese melts better and gives the crackers that authentic flavor—nothing beats the real thing.
- Chia Seeds: Chia seeds are a healthy addition to the crackers and add more crunch. If your littles don’t mind seeing the chia “sprinkles” on the crackers, I recommend adding them, but they’re optional!
- Salt
Step-by-step instructions
This recipe is so simple; only a few steps are required.
- Preheat the oven to 400F and grease a large baking sheet (or line with parchment paper).
- Add the flour, spices, and butter to a food processor and blitz until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- Add cheese and chia seeds, and blitz until the dough comes together.
- Split the dough into 3. Roll each section to around 1/8 -1/4 inches thick, dusting with flour as needed (or roll between 2 sheets of parchment paper).
- Shape the crackers using your favorite cookie cutter or a pizza slicer. Re-roll the excess dough and repeat the process.
- Place crackers on a non-stick baking tray and prod each one with a fork (so that they don’t puff as much—this is not necessary if using a small cookie cutter, such as a goldfish).
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden and crispy (keep an eye on the crackers every minute to prevent burning; they brown quickly!).
See the full recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Tips to Make the Best Cheese Crackers
We have often made these crunchy crackers at home because they are delicious. Here are some tips to make sure your recipe is also fail-proof:
- Keeping your butter and cheese cold is a must. Cold butter cut into cubes helps create a flaky texture in the crackers. I ensure my butter is chilled and my cheese is at room temperature but not too warm.
- Use a good food processor. This one is my favorite!
- When rolling out the dough, aim for a thickness of 1/8 inch (3mm) to 1/4 inch (6mm) so the crackers bake evenly and become perfectly crisp. The thinner, the crispier!
- Small cookie cutters are added work, but this 5-in-one fish-shaped cutter makes the process easier! You can also use a pizza slicer.
- Line your baking tray or cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent the crackers from sticking.
- Keep an eye on the crackers as they bake—they’re ready when they turn a light golden brown. Overbaking can make them too hard.
- Before baking, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top for extra flavor. You can also experiment by adding herbs or spices to the dough to give the crackers your twist.
Tools Needed
- Cookie sheet or baking tray.
- Parchment paper.
- Goldfish-shaped / pasta cutter wheel.
- Plastic wrap.
- Food processor.
- Box grater.
Storage Instructions
If you want to keep these delicious homemade crackers fresh and crispy for as long as possible, follow these tips:
- After baking until golden brown, let the crackers cool on a wire rack. This will help them retain their crispness and prevent them from becoming soggy when stored.
- Store your crackers in an airtight container to keep out moisture and preserve that delightful crunch of your cheesy crackers.
- Keep the container at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- You can freeze these crackers in a freezer-safe bag. To do so, remove as much air as possible and seal tightly.
Serving Suggestions and Substitutions
These golden-brown crackers are versatile, and here are some substitutes and serving tips to enjoy them the most:
- Serve the crackers with your favorite dips like hummus, spinach artichoke dip, or spicy salsa.
- Include them on a cheese or charcuterie board when entertaining guests.
- Use different cutters to make fun animal shapes or seasonal designs. This will be enjoyable when making snacks for kids or special occasions.
- Sprinkle flaky sea salt, sesame, or poppy seeds on top before baking for extra flavor and texture.
- Offer these cheese crackers on the go, using this portable snack catcher to prevent messes!
Frequently Asked Questions
Although a fish-shaped cutter will make the shape resemble a goldfish, you can use any small cookie cutter you have on hand or a pizza or pasta slicer.
These cheesy crackers stay fresh for up to a week if you store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want them to last longer, you can freeze them for up to a month.
Sharp cheddar cheese is my go-to for its flavor and good melting properties, but you can experiment with other types, like white cheddar, parmesan, or different flavors.
Yes, you can customize the crackers with different spices or herbs. Add garlic powder, onion powder, dried herbs like rosemary or thyme, or even a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
Substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version. Remember that the texture might be slightly different (likely not so crunchy), but they’ll still be tasty.
Yes, you can freeze the raw dough. To defrost, let it sit at room temperature until soft. Roll the dough as directed and bake normally.
Other Easy Recipes You May Like
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🥣Recipe
Homemade Goldfish Cheese Crackers (Crunchy!)
Equipment
- 1 Baking tray
- 1 Goldfish cookie cutter
- 1 Plastic wrap
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 9 tbsp unsalted butter cut into cubes and chilled
- 2 cups cheddar cheese grated
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp chia seeds optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F and grease a large baking sheet (or line with parchment paper).
- Add the flour, spices and butter to a food processor, and blitz until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- Add cheese and chia seeds (if using), blitz until the dough comes together.
- Split the dough into 3 parts. Roll out each part between 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick, dusting with flour as needed (or roll between 2 sheets of parchment paper).
- Shape the crackers using your favorite cookie cutter or use a pizza slicer. Re-roll excess dough and repeat process.
- Place crackers on non-stick baking tray andprod each one with a fork (so that they don’t puff as much – if using a small cookie cutter, such as goldfish this is not necessary).
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden and crispy (keep an eye on the crackers every minute to prevent burning, they brown quickly after the 8 min mark!).
Notes
- Keeping your butter and cheese cold is a must. Cold butter cut into cubes helps create a flaky texture in the crackers. I ensure my butter is chilled and my cheese is at room temperature but not too warm.
- Use a good food processor. This one is my favorite!
- When rolling out the dough, aim for a thickness of 1/8 inch (3mm) to 1/4 inch (6mm) so the crackers bake evenly and become perfectly crisp.
- Small cookie cutters are added work, but this 5-in-one fish-shaped cutter makes the process easier! You can also use a pizza slicer if you want a quicker process.
- Line your baking tray or cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent the crackers from sticking.
Nutrition
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I love this recipe; it is so crunchy and flavorful! I have made other recipes before, and they all came out soft. This is definitely the best! My kids love it! I find it easier to cut into squared crakers using a pizza slicer.