Cheesy Snack Crackers

Oh hey there - it's Fall!! Officially on the calendar and physically, temperature wise. It's still mid August in my mind though. I love fall, but we all know what comes after it... and I'm not ready.

Anywho, after receiving a request from a blog reader last week for some healthy savory snacks, I decided to share this cheesy cracker recipe that I've had in the back of mind for some time. I have to wonder why I don't have more savory snacks + things in my recipe archive, because I really do love them. It's something that I will be adding to that's for sure.

The awesome thing about this recipe is that it doesn't take a ton of ingredients (honestly it's under 10) and it's also quick and considerably easy to make!

If you love the flavour of parmesan cheese then go ahead and add it to the recipe like I have. If you don't, or you'd like to make these vegan then it's ok to leave it out entirely. It won't harm the crackers if you do decide to omit it. 

Instead of going for butter I used olive oil to make these crackers healthier and the nutritional yeast is what gives them the slight tinge of orange colour + cheesy taste.

A tasty snack all on their own or maybe with a nice helping of hummus on the side. Either way I hope you enjoy these little crackers! 

Cheesy Snack Crackers

by Jennifer Trennum

Cook Time: 18-22 minutes

Keywords: bake appetizer snack soy-free vegan option spelt flour nutritional yeast

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Ingredients (about 60 small crackers)

• 1 1/4 cups plus 2 Tbsp spelt flour
• 1/3 cup nutritional yeast
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup well grated parmesan cheese (I used Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp water

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350˚F and line a baking sheet with parchment.

In a large bowl, mix together flour, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir in parmesan. Stir in the olive oil and 1/4 cup of water and mix until dough is combined. If the dough is too dry add 2 more tablespoons of water.

Place dough on a lightly floured surface, dust the top with flour, and roll to 1/8-1/4 inch thickness with a lightly floured rolling pin. Use a knife, pizza cutter or small cut cookie cutter shape to cut the dough into crackers. Gently move each cracker and place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat until dough is used up, rolling it out again between batches.

Bake for 18-22 minutes, depending on thickness, until crackers are light golden brown. Be sure to keep an eye on them for timing so they don't burn.

Place on a rack to cool. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

• These crackers freeze well.
• You can either wrap the dough in plastic and place it in the fridge until ready to use, or roll it out immediately.

Crispy Baked Chicken

When I'm meal planning for the week ahead I always try to incorporate as much variety as I can. Chicken is usually on the menu, vegetables are always front and centre, and sometimes we take a break from meat altogether... meatless Mondays anyone?

Food can get boring pretty easily with repetition, especially when lean chicken breast is a mainstay in our house. Unless you know how to spice things up from time to time. Know what I mean?

Enter the world of spices & herbs and a little out of the box thinking. 

That's where this recipe for healthy faux-fried/ chicken comes in. If you recall that lunch salad I made a while ago topped with baked chicken; this is the recipe for the chicken.

Crisped to perfection in the oven using homemade whole grain breadcrumbs and fresh grated Parmesan cheese. A hint of fresh thyme also adds flavour that's reminiscent of Spring.

My go to lunch is almost always a leafy green salad with protein (chicken, hard-boiled egg, lean pork tenderloin, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, nuts etc.). When it comes to salad dressing I will either make my own or opt for lemon juice or balsamic vinegar (sometimes with a bit of olive oil). I've recently discovered how amazing fresh minced ginger root is added to my salads. It practically acts like a salad dressing. It adds a nice zing and it's super good for you too.

The leftovers are really good too. So far I've tried it in my lunch salads and in a wrap all nice and toasty with spinach, mustard, leaf lettuce, and shredded carrots.

Crispy Baked Chicken (serves 4)

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Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breast halves
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup skim milk
• 1 tsp Sriracha
• 1 cup whole grain bread crumbs *(I like to make my own)* See Note
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• a pinch of smoked paprika (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375*F. Place an ovenproof wire-rack on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
2. In a medium sized bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, and Sriracha. In a separate medium sized mixing bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, thyme, cheese, and paprika.
3. Dip each piece of chicken in egg mixture, shake off excess liquid, then roll in breadcrumb mixture to coat. Arrange on prepared pan/ wire rack.
4. Bake without turning for 50 minutes to 1 hour until internal temperature registers 180*F on an instant read thermometer.

 *Note* 

To make your own breadcrumbs, take a few slices of day old whole grain bread and chop into small (1 inch) cubes. Place them on a baking sheet in the oven on 350*F for 5-10 minutes or until they are nice and toasty. Watch they don't burn! Transfer them to your food processor and give them a quick whir until they resemble breadcrumbs. You can give them a drizzle of olive oil before toasting, but it isn't necessary.