
There are amazing recipes all over the internets—impressive cakes and cookies, pies galore, delicious pasta dishes, fantastic dinner ideas, and so much more. But what has had me a little stumped were homemade crackers. Homemade crackers? Who in the world has time to make homemade crackers? They looked like they’d be difficult and totally something I wouldn’t be able to pull off. But when these Homemade Goldfish Crackers from Erin popped up here on Tasty Kitchen, I decided to try my hand at them.
Let me tell ya, they were pretty darn easy. And cheesy, too. The recipe was adapted from ReadyMade magazine and it’s totally a fun little cooking project to do with kids. My children are older now, but when they were younger this would have been a great rainy day project to have them join in on. There are only five ingredients with very little prep. The cutting takes a little more time but that’s where the fun for the kids comes in. Use itty bitty cookie cutters, icing tips or make your own cookie cutter shapes out of an aluminum can (see below). The crackers puff up to a chewy, cheesy bite.
Wanna see how?

Before getting started, decide on what shapes you’ll be cutting out. Using an aluminum can and tape, I cut a thin strip and formed my fishy, then taped the edges together with clear packing tape.

I had so much fun I couldn’t stop, and made a Pac-Man and a football. The ideas for shapes you could create are endless! Large icing tips and small cookie cutters work well, too.

You’ll need just a few simple ingredients: shredded cheese, butter, flour, salt and cold water. That’s it!

Begin combining everything, except the water, in a food processor until the dough looks like sand.

Next, pulse in the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until combined.

Remove the dough from the processor and form into a small, tidy package. Wrap in plastic and chill for 20 minutes.

Once chilled, roll out the dough. I found the thinner the dough, the crispier the cracker.

Now, the cutting fun begins!

Place crackers on a lined cookie sheet and bake at 350°F for about 15 minutes. I began with little fishies.

Then moved on to the footballs and then the Pac-Man (or Mrs. Pac-Man).

Aren’t they cute? They puff up a tad, resulting in a chewy, cheesy cracker.

Look! Pac-Man is after a fish.

Have fun with this one y’all! I enjoyed making these and I think you will too. Get creative and let the kids join in!
Thanks Erin for submitting this darling recipe. I felt like a kid again! Be sure to check out Erin’s blog, Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts, for more of her recipes.
Recipe
Homemade Goldfish Crackers
by Erin on July 30, 2011 in Desserts, Fancy
See this recipe post on Erin ’s site!
Recipe Description
Your favorite fish cracker made at home – and it is SUPER easy.
Preparation Instructions
Pulse everything (except water) together in the food processor until the dough resembles coarse sand.
Pulse in water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
Remove dough from the processor, wrap in plastic, and chill for 20 minutes.
Roll out the dough and cut into desired shapes. You can use a toothpick to make the eyes and smile if desired. Place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees F for about 15 minutes, or until crispy.
Makes approximately 7 dozen crackers.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces, weight Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
- 4 Tablespoons Butter, Cut Into Cubes
- 1 cup Flour
- ¾ teaspoons Salt
- 2 Tablespoons Cold Water
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Amy Johnson is a blogger who writes about food, travel, the home (both inside and out), and various observations and random musings about anything and everything. Visit her blog She Wears Many Hats for a dose of deliciousness, practicality, hilarity, or just plain fun. She lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children.










The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh on Tuesday, September 6
You sold me with Pac-Man! Now I have an excuse to get a food processor.1
strandjss on Tuesday, September 6
This is a great project to do with my grandchildren.2
Amber on Tuesday, September 6
Who would have thought those were so easy? Although I guarantee mine will not be lined up in such unbelievably perfect little rows on the cookie sheet...3
Sheri on Tuesday, September 6
These are so incredibly awesome. My kids will flip!4
Andilynn on Tuesday, September 6
I used to make cheese crackers a long time ago, but haven't made them in a long time. I have some really cute mini cutters....now you gave me something to use them for! I was thinking....this recipe is basically a pie crust with cheese, I think it would be great to use for a savory meat pie or a vegetable tart!5
Tasha on Tuesday, September 6
How creative and fun!6
Kim on Tuesday, September 6
one of the snacks I miss most from the USA is Goldfish. I can't wait to make my own! I found a wee bunny cookie cutter at the baking store, so I guess it'll be gold-bunny crackers! :-)7
missinthekitchen on Tuesday, September 6
Too cute! Homemade crackers are so yummy.8
KariAnnM on Tuesday, September 6
Oh how fun! My kids LOVE goldfish. I never thought they would be that easy to make. Now I have a project for tomorrow...after I find all my mini cutters in the play-dough box! Thanks for sharing!9
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme on Tuesday, September 6
How creative are you, Amy!! Making your own cookie/cracker cutters. Wow. And the crackers look just beautiful.10
gaitha on Tuesday, September 6
do they need to be kept refrigerated? My kids go through goldfish like crazy so I guess I shouldn't have to worry, they will probably be gone in the first day :)11
Katie D. on Tuesday, September 6
I HAVE to try these!! Thanks :D12
Kristi on Tuesday, September 6
I LOVE THIS! My son eats these like they are going out of style and they aren't exactly cheap to buy and not as good as these homemade fishies. Very cool!13
Lisa @ Life in Green on Tuesday, September 6
Those are so darn cute. I'm not a fan of the typical cheesy cracker...but I would definitely eat these. Did such a great job with your little cutters. :)14
Anna on Tuesday, September 6
My granddaughter is addicted to goldfish crackers. This would be a great treat to send to her. I wonder how they'd do with whole wheat flour? Has anyone tried it?15
Miss Anthropist\'s Kitchen on Tuesday, September 6
This was actually posted on my blog, Miss Anthropist's Kitchen, a few months ago...I guess I should have posted it here! I'm glad people are enjoying the homemade cookie cutter idea though :) Here's my link: http://www.missanthropistskitchen.com/2011/06/22/homemade-goldfish-crackers-with-a-homemade-goldfish-cookie-cutter/16
Jessica on Tuesday, September 6
Goldfish are my daughter's absolute favorite snack. I have to make these!!! Thanks so much for the idea.17
Kris on Tuesday, September 6
Oh, i now have an excuse to use the food processor! I need to make these! I love that it is just a few simple ingredients, and not a box cracker full of chemicals. With kids going back to school, these would make a great snack to take or for after school!18
Mealr on Tuesday, September 6
This is amazing! My little guy cannot have goldfish because of his soy allergy and this is truly so CUTE! I actually might undertake this one day in the near future!19
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts on Tuesday, September 6
So glad that you made these! Yours look amazing! I love your pac man eating the fish!20
Heather D. on Tuesday, September 6
These are adorable! I think I know what I'll be doing in the next few days. I'll add it to my list of fun homemade things I make; candy corn, graham crackers and granola.21
Chrissy on Tuesday, September 6
Thanks for sharing! I'm going to try the recipe with my gluten-free all purpose flour mix. Goldfish is the one thing my kids really miss!!22
CareyPence on Tuesday, September 6
Oh YUM!! I love that I can name all the ingredients too. :)23
Wenderly on Tuesday, September 6
Could those be any CUTER? I think not. I'm just a smilin' looking at these little darlings! Can't wait to give them a whirl! Gorgeous photos as always Amy!!!!!24
TiffH on Tuesday, September 6
I have never thought of making homemade crackers, but these looks yummy. I too and thinking whole wheat flour, at least part of it. I buy goldfish all the time for my son. I wonder how long they keep, any idea?25
Lee on Tuesday, September 6
Love this recipe!!!!!!26
Farmer's Wyfe on Tuesday, September 6
This is great!! I think we'll incorporate this into a home-school project...somehow. :) Thanks!!!27
Lydia on Tuesday, September 6
These look great. What would you use if you didn't have a food processor (or a blender, for that matter...the kids broke the last one :-s), though? A pastry cutter or something?28
Lisa @ www.bakedinmaine.com on Tuesday, September 6
I LOVE those cute little cheesy crackers! I'll bet they're better than "Pepperidge Farm" My Grandson will have sooo much fun making these ;)29
A. on Tuesday, September 6
Anna - SmittenKitchen has a recipe where she subs whole wheat flour, I believe. I haven't made them yet, though, so I can't vouch for them. Here's the link: http://smittenkitchen.com/2011/03/whole-wheat- I love the way these here puff up!30
The Church Cook (Kay Heritage) on Tuesday, September 6
Oh, my goodness! How fun is that?! Just printed the recipe to give it a try with my son! Thank you, Amy & Erin!31
Robin on Tuesday, September 6
these look like so much fun!!! and it would so easy to make different varieties using different cheeses or sprinkling on different spices or seasonings before baking! i'm getting waaay too excited!!! :D32
kelli on Tuesday, September 6
LOVE the pacman!!!! I think I will try hearts and stars! My daughter loves goldfish and cheese its!! This looks like a family fun project! Can't wait!33
carlyklock on Tuesday, September 6
These look so scrumptious!34
mnheather on Tuesday, September 6
They look like fun! My sister makes a great homemade wheat thin.35
Becky on Tuesday, September 6
So, I am NOT looking for a reason to get a food processor. I have a Kitchen Aid mixer, a Vitamix, and a small food chopper and a stick blender. What combination of things could I use to make the dough? Could I put the cheese through the food chopper and then everything in the mixer? Ideas welcome.36
Crinoline on Tuesday, September 6
I haven't even made these yet, and I'm already thinking of variations. Whole wheat flour. A little cayenne pepper. Nutmeg. Or maybe dried herbs like oregano and tarragon.37
Susan on Tuesday, September 6
@Anna, I bet whole wheat flour would work just fine and make for a healthier snack.38
Travis Cotton on Tuesday, September 6
My 5 year old LOVES goldfish crackers but they are kind of expensive. Im definitely going to try this recipe.39
Michelle on Tuesday, September 6
I love goldfish crackers, they are my one splurge in the cracker isle. I love the DIY cookie cutters, I will give it a whirl!40
Trista on Tuesday, September 6
What a creative idea to make your own cut outs using soda cans! I'm going to have to try this recipe sometime!41
Angeerah on Tuesday, September 6
I think I might adapt this for my son who has a dairy allergy and try non-dairy melting "cheese" and non-dairy butter. Thanks!42
roseann on Tuesday, September 6
oh wow i was going to do graham crackers tonight for my grandsons, now i think i will do these!43
Chris on Tuesday, September 6
They have to be Pac-Man and not Ms Pac-Man's because she had a bow on her head!44
Kelly A on Tuesday, September 6
A great way to make a kid favorite without all the addatives, preservatives, and fake food coloring!45
KendraM on Tuesday, September 6
OMG!!! This is wonderful!!!!!!!! WOW!!! Cannot wait to try this!!! Thanks for the post!46
Launette W. on Tuesday, September 6
My kids are grown, but love Cheese its with tobasco. I think I will try to make them with a little tobasco sauce thrown in.47
Andrea L. Arnold on Tuesday, September 6
AWESOME!! I love it. I'm definitely going to try this!!48
Amber S. on Tuesday, September 6
Oh. My. Were these easy and good. Ours are hearts becuase I couldn't put my fingers on the rest of the "tiny" cookie cutters, but equally cute and delish! My 3-year old loved helping, and my 5-year old loved them with lunch on this, her first day of school! Thanks for the easy peasy recipe!49
Laura on Tuesday, September 6
I've made a very similar recipe made with parmesan cheese and a pinch of cayenne. Delish! Any hard or semi-hard cheese will work. Nothing softer than cheddar, though. This is one recipe that the shaker dust parmesan is actually better than the good stuff. Also, being basically lazy, I just cut the crackers into triangles, squares or diamonds. No waste, no re-rolling.50