Air-Fryer Crackers: A Quick, Crunchy Treat

Air fryers are a great way to make crackers, whether it's prawn crackers, Cheez-Its, or your own homemade creations. They're a healthier, less oily alternative to deep-frying, and they can cook crackers in a fraction of the time it would take in an oven. You can even make gluten-free or vegan crackers in an air fryer!

How to make air fryer Cheez-Its

Cheez-Its are a popular snack, but did you know you can make them at home in an air fryer? This recipe will show you how to make delicious, crispy, and cheesy crackers with just a few simple ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) of cheddar cheese, shredded
• 5 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of house seasoning blend (optional)
• 2 to 3 tablespoons of cold water
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour, plus 2 tablespoons for the work surface
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

• In a food processor, add the shredded cheese, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, and house seasoning blend (if using). Pulse a few times to blend the ingredients.
• Slowly add the flour to the mixture, then add the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough forms a ball.
• Cut the dough into 3 separate balls. Cover and place in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours. This step is important as it allows the dough to firm up and makes it easier to roll out.
• Remove one piece of dough from the fridge and place it on a lightly floured work surface. Flatten the dough with a rolling pin.
• If you plan to salt the crackers, do so now. Use a fluted pastry cutter or a pizza cutter to cut the dough into 1/2 to 1-inch squares.
• Use a toothpick to poke a hole in the center of each cracker. This step is crucial as it prevents the crackers from puffing up too much during cooking.
• Place the crackers in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each cracker. You may need to cook them in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Air fry the crackers at 370°F (177°C) for 5 to 7 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook.
• Use tongs to remove the crackers from the air fryer basket and let them cool on a wire rack. They will harden and become crispier as they dry.
• Enjoy your homemade Cheez-Its! Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Tips:

• For the best flavor and texture, use high-quality sharp cheddar cheese and grate it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese may not melt as well.
• Keep the ingredients cold. Use cold butter and chill the dough before rolling it out to prevent the butter from melting into the flour too soon.
• Roll the dough to an even thickness of about 1/16 inch. This ensures that all the crackers bake at the same rate and have a consistent texture.
• Don't forget to poke a hole in the center of each cracker before cooking. This helps them bake evenly and prevents puffing.
• Season the crackers properly. A light sprinkle of salt or your favorite seasonings can enhance the flavor.
• Watch the crackers closely while they're in the air fryer. They can go from golden to burnt very quickly.

How to make air fryer prawn crackers

Prawn crackers are a delicious snack, but they can be unhealthy when deep-fried in oil. With an air fryer, you can still enjoy these crispy treats without the excess oil and calories. Here is a simple recipe for making air fryer prawn crackers.

Ingredients:

• Prawn crackers (100g) - you can buy uncooked prawn crackers at an Asian supermarket.
• Cooking spray or vegetable oil (optional) - to get that deep-fried taste, you can spritz or drizzle the raw crackers with oil.

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 200 degrees Celsius.
• In a large mixing bowl, add 1 tablespoon of oil to every 100g of dried prawn crackers. Toss well to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated.
• Divide the crackers into batches of about 3 pieces each.
• Place one batch of crackers into the air fryer basket. It is recommended to use the basket instead of a grill pan to prevent the crackers from flying around and dropping under the pan.
• Air fry for 2 to 3 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius, or until golden brown. Halfway through the cooking time, pull out the basket and shake it or use a tong to stir the crackers.
• Repeat the process with the remaining batches until all the crackers are fried.
• Allow the crackers to cool, and then store them in an airtight container.

Tips:

• It is important to not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
• Prawn crackers expand quickly in the air fryer, so keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.
• You can also make prawn crackers without oil. Simply add the uncooked crackers to the air fryer and follow the same cooking instructions.
• For extra crispy crackers, let them cool for a couple of minutes after frying. They will continue to crisp up as they cool.

How to make air fryer paprika vegan crackers

Ingredients:

• 2-3 tbsp ground flax seeds
• 120 g / 1 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 140 g / 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds
• 17 g / 2 tbsp white sesame seeds
• 1 tbsp nigella seeds
• 3/4 tsp fine sea salt
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp crushed dry rosemary
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
• 18 g / 2 tbsp rice flour (or any other flour)
• 30 ml / 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• Ice water

Method:

• Place ground flax seeds in a large mixing bowl, stir in 90 ml / 6 tbsp of water and set aside in the fridge for the mixture to thicken into flax eggs.
• Preheat your air fryer to 180°C / 355°F. Line a large baking tray with baking paper.
• Once thickened, add in all the seeds, seasonings, spices, and oil. Stir through until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
• Blob the mixture onto the prepared baking tray and compress it roughly using a spatula. Then, to make sure the mixture is even and as thin as possible (about 0.5 cm / 0.2″), place another piece of baking paper on top of the mixture and roll it out with a rolling pin. Make sure it’s evenly compressed with no gaps.
• Prick the mixture all over with a fork to prevent the formation of air bubbles during cooking.
• Air fry the crackers for 15 minutes. Then, take them out of the air fryer and use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to make shallow markings on the mixture to enable you to cut it into individual crackers later. Return the crackers to the air fryer for another 15 minutes.
• After 15 minutes, you should be able to cut the mixture and remove the outside pieces that tend to brown quicker. Return the middle pieces to the air fryer for another 10 minutes, or until browned.
• Allow the crackers to cool – they will crisp up as they cool. Store in an airtight container.

How to make air fryer gluten-free crackers

Ingredients:

To make gluten-free crackers in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• Gluten-free flour blend
• Almond meal or almond flour
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Rosemary
• Nutritional yeast (optional, for cheesiness)
• Oil (neutral-flavoured oils such as grape seed or avocado oil work well)
• Water
• Ice water (if using a food processor)

Optional Ingredients:

• Brown sugar
• Butter or unsalted butter
• Cheese or cheddar cheese
• Onion powder
• Ranch powder
• Italian seasoning
• Lawry's seasoning
• Hot sauce
• Dry mustard
• Bacon
• Club-style crackers

Method:

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

In a food processor, add your chosen cheese, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Pulse a few times to blend the ingredients. If you don't have a food processor, you can use a mixing bowl and a fork.

Next, mix in the flour and pulse again to combine. If you're using a food processor, add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough forms a ball. If you're using a mixing bowl, add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, and stir until the dough forms a semi-sticky, mouldable ball.

Step 2: Refrigerate the Dough

Cut the dough into three separate balls and cover them. Place the dough balls in the fridge for 1-2 hours. This step will make the dough easier to work with and help it retain its shape.

Step 3: Prepare the Crackers

Remove the dough from the fridge and place it on a lightly floured work surface. Flatten the dough and use a fluted pastry cutter to cut the dough into 1" squares. You can also use a knife, pizza cutter, or small cookie cutter to cut the dough into squares or circles.

If you plan to add salt to your crackers, do so now. Then, use a toothpick to punch a hole in the centre of each cracker. This step is crucial as it prevents the crackers from puffing up during cooking.

Step 4: Air Fry the Crackers

Place the crackers in the air fryer basket and cook at 370°F for 6 minutes. You can also bake the crackers in the oven at 350°F for 15-16 minutes.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Remove the crackers from the air fryer and let them cool on a wire rack. Enjoy your homemade gluten-free crackers as a snack or with your favourite dip!

Tips:

• If you're using store-bought cheese, grate it yourself to ensure the freshest flavour.
• For gluten-free crackers, Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Flour is a good option.
• To add some extra flavour to your crackers, try mixing in a teaspoon of your favourite seasoning, such as Cajun, taco seasoning, or Italian seasoning.
• You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as Gouda, Fontina, Colby Jack, or Gruyere.
• For a vegan option, simply omit the butter and cheese from the recipe.
• If you're making a large batch, you can store the crackers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days or in the freezer for later.

Enjoy your homemade gluten-free crackers!

How to make air fryer sassy saltines

Ingredients:

• 1 sleeve of saltine crackers
• Butter (unsalted)
• Your favourite seasoning (at least 1 teaspoon)
• Optional: shredded cheese (mozzarella or cheddar recommended)

Method:

• Melt butter in a small pan on the stove.
• Add your chosen seasoning(s) to the melted butter and whisk with a fork.
• Dip a saltine cracker in the butter mixture and taste. Add more seasoning if required.
• Dunk and scoop the remaining crackers in the mixture so a tiny pool of butter forms on top of each cracker.
• Cook the crackers in an air fryer at 275°F for 5 minutes. Alternatively, cook in an oven at 275°F for 20 minutes, or at 350°F for 10 minutes.
• Allow to cool for a couple of minutes, then serve.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.

Tips:

• Seasonings could include ranch powder, Italian seasoning, Caldo de Tomate, hot sauce, dry mustard, or Trader Joe's Everything but the Elote seasoning.
• For an extra kick, add a tablespoon of Crystal hot sauce.
• For a cheesier treat, sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the crackers before adding the seasoning.

Frequently asked questions