The Best Sourdough Cheddar Crackers
A delicious way to use your discarded sourdough starter, this recipe for sourdough cheddar crackers is ready in under thirty minutes. They taste just like Cheez-Its!
I know making crackers might seem a bit nuts, but I promise they come together very fast. The dough is easy to handle because you roll it out between sheets of parchment, and since you mix it by hand, there aren’t too many dishes to deal with.
One of my most popular sourdough discard recipes, and for good reason..
Sourdough Cheddar Crackers with Discard
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup discard sourdough starter
- ¾ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Kosher salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat oven to 375 with two racks in, spaced relatively equally apart.
- Make the dough. Combine the butter and flour in a medium mixing bowl. Using your hands, rub the butter into the flour until it looks like sand. Pour in the sourdough starter and gently mix. Add the cheddar cheese and combine. If necessary, use your hands to make sure the dough forms a ball.
- Roll out dough. Turn the dough out onto a piece of parchment paper and top with a second piece of parchment. Roll out as thin as you can using a rolling pin.
- Cut out into squares. Cut into squares using a pastry wheel and place the squares on two parchment-lined baking sheets. Sprinkle generously with kosher salt.
- Bake. Bake for 10-13 minutes, switching the baking sheets halfway. The crackers should be crisp with slightly browned edges. Allow to cool directly on the baking sheet. Serve immediately, or let fully cool and transfer to airtight container and store for up to 2 days.
Notes
Give them a try! Not only will you happy you aren’t wasting any sourdough starter, but you’re actually making your own crackers. You should be proud.
These make a great snack to leave out when you are having friends over for drinks, or as a snack for you and your family that’s free of any unwanted ingredients.
Important Ingredients for Sourdough Crackers
Here are a few key items that deserve a little extra attention:
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese. Don’t settle for mild cheddar here. The sharp, tangy flavor of sharp cheddar is what really makes these crackers sing.
- Parchment Paper. This prevents the crackers from sticking to the baking sheet and makes cleanup a breeze. No parchment paper? You can lightly grease your baking sheets instead. (A package of sheets that lay flat will be the easiest to work with for this recipe, and in general.)
- Pastry Wheel or Pizza Cutter. This tool helps you cut clean, even squares, ensuring your crackers bake evenly. If you don’t have one, a sharp knife will do the trick.
Questions and Troubleshooting
Yes, but active starter will give your crackers a bit more rise and they’ll be puffier. I don’t love them this way, but you might.
Absolutely! Once they’re completely cool, store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to a month.
Don’t worry, it happens! A few things could cause this. Maybe your dough was a little too thick, or perhaps your oven runs a bit cool. Next time, try rolling the dough even thinner.
Yes! (Definitely.) Try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little kick, or some chopped fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme. You can also experiment with different types of cheese.
These are a simple and satisfying way to use up leftover starter. With just a few pantry staples, you can create a delicious snack that’s perfect for sharing or enjoying on your own. Give this recipe a try – you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to make something so tasty.
By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.