Gluten-Free Goldfish Crackers
These homemade gluten-free cheddar crackers deliver irresistible cheesy crunch without gluten or artificial preservatives, perfect for kids.
Ingredients
Cracker Base
- 1 cup Gluten-Free Flour Blend Choose a blend containing rice flour, potato starch, and tapioca flour for optimal texture.
- 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Freshly Grated Avoid pre-shredded cheese; fresh-grated melts more evenly and creates better texture.
- 4 tablespoons Cold Unsalted Butter, Cubed Use European-style butter for superior flakiness.
- 2-3 tablespoons Ice Water Ice-cold water prevents butter from melting during mixing.
Instructions
Preparation
- Combine the gluten-free flour blend and freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese in a large mixing bowl.
- Use your fingers to toss the mixture, ensuring every piece of cheese is coated with flour.
- Add the cubed cold butter to the flour-cheese mixture, and cut it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse meal with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons ice water over the mixture and gently stir until the dough just begins to come together.
- Shape the dough into a flat disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Baking
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll the chilled dough to 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
- Cut the dough into fish shapes approximately 1-inch long using small cookie cutters.
- Place shaped crackers on parchment-lined baking sheets and bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are golden brown.
- Cool completely before storing in airtight containers for up to one week.
Notes
For extra cheesy flavor, add 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. The dough can be made up to 48 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator wrapped in plastic.