My kids are big veggie lovers now, but this hasn’t always been the case. One of the tricks that really helped along the way was creating fun, nourishing snacks like these Savoury Veggie Crackers. I’ve written extensively about raising real food loving kids HERE – it’s a topic I’m super passionate about. I also have a whole chapter in my ebook The Well Nourished Lunchbox dedicated to delicious ways to include vegetables in your child’s diet (as well as over 50 sensational recipes, including loads of savoury cracker options). Click HERE to find out more.
One thing I know for sure, is the more vegetables your kids eat, the more they will enjoy and be open to eating them. So when my kids were little and reluctant to eat a wide variety of veggies, I used to hide them in everything I cooked, including sweet and savoury baking (as well as presenting them in their whole form throughout the day and with every meal). You can read my thoughts on the benefits and pitfalls of ‘hiding’ veggies for picky eaters HERE.
I first made this cracker when my kids were teething (as a rusk of sorts). So I thought I’d re-invent it as a cracker my kids will enjoy now – and it’s safe to say they do! I love adding extra veggies anywhere I can and this  cracker is really quick and easy to make. I hope you and yours enjoy it too.
Health benefits
Spinach adds a wealth of vitamins and minerals, including iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C. Wholemeal spelt flour provides fibre and complex carbohydrates, while optional sesame seeds and nutritional yeast add extra protein, healthy fats, and B vitamins. These crackers are a wholesome alternative to store-bought varieties, which often contain refined ingredients, vegetable oils and additives.
Ingredients
These vegan crackers feature a base of wholemeal spelt flour combined with pureed spinach, olive oil, and sea salt for a nutritious and delicious dough. Optional ingredients like garlic granules or garlic powder, sesame seeds and nutritional yeast enhance both flavour and nutritional value.
How to make these Savoury Veggie Crackers
To make these crispy crackers, start by blending the spinach and water in a food processor until smooth. Mix in olive oil, salt, sugar, baking powder, and any optional ingredients like sesame seeds or garlic powder. Gradually add the flour, adjusting as necessary until the dough reaches a play-dough-like consistency. Roll the dough out thinly with a rolling pin between sheets of parchment paper, cut into squares with a sharp knife (or a pizza cutter), and bake until crispy.
Serving suggestions and how to store
These dairy-free crackers are a great addition to a snack platter or paired with your favourite dip. Store them in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze them and pop them into lunchboxes straight from the freezer for an easy snack.
Vary Savoury Veggie Crackers to suit your dietary needs
For a gluten-free or grain-free version, substitute the spelt flour with a gluten-free or paleo flour. These variations may need additional baking time to crisp up properly. If you’re in the mood for something fun and colourful, try replacing the spinach with beetroot for pink crackers. To make this recipe garlic and sesame-free, simply omit those ingredients.
Take a look at the variations (below the main recipe) for suggestions to alter the recipe to suit any specific dietary requirements.
For more delicious, easy to make healthy savoury snack recipes, click HERE.
Veggie Crackers
Ingredients
- 60 ml water (¼ cup)
- 50 g baby spinach (2 large handfuls)
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil -extra virgin
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp coconut sugar or rapadura
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds -optional
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast -optional
- 1 tsp garlic granules -or powder, optional (I've also used a clove of garlic processed with the spinach too)
- 200 g wholemeal spelt flour (1¾ cups approx.) see below for GF
Instructions
- Pre heat the oven to 180℃/350℉.
- In a high speed blender mix the water and spinach, scraping the sides until pureed. Thermomix 1 minute, speed 5 (you will need to scrape the sides quite a few times).
- Add the olive oil, sea salt, sugar, baking powder (and any optional ingredients) and mix together until combined. Thermomix 20 seconds, speed 4.
- Add the flour and mix until a dough the consistency of play-doh forms (so it holds together but doesn't stick to your hands).
- IMPORTANT - All whole flours are slightly different in the rate they absorb water. This is the reason white (highly refined flours) are used in processed foods because they bring consistent results. So you may need to adjust the amount of flour (or water) slightly to achieve the right consistency as described above (especially with the GF variation below).Â
- Form into a rough disc, place between two sheets of baking paper (or silicone sheets). I use 'If you Care' brand of baking paper, it's very non stick and can even be reused (it's that good).
- Roll until VERY thin (1-2mm). If they aren't thin enough they won't crisp up so keep rolling until the dough stops expanding. Remove the top piece of parchment and cut the dough with a pizza cutter or plastic ruler (my new way to get the squares nice and even).Â
- Lift this carefully onto a baking tray.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes. I find the outside rows cook quicker than the inside squares so I often take it from the oven at 20-25 minutes, remove the outer rows and return the middle crackers which are still not crisp enough to the oven for 5 minutes or until they are dry and crunchy.
Store
- In an airtight container. They can also be frozen and packed into the lunchbox (from frozen).
