Description
These irresistible Oven Baked Cottage Cheese Crackers are a simple, wholesome snack made with creamy cottage cheese, savory cheddar, and flavorful seasoning. Crispy on the edges and tender inside, they’re easy to prepare and perfect for a healthy bite any time of day.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.25 cups cottage cheese (preferably Good Culture for thick consistency)
- 1.5 tsp Everything But The Bagel seasoning (Trader Joe’s preferred)
- Small pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
- Olive oil spray for finishing
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to heat for at least 15 minutes to ensure even baking and proper crisping of the crackers. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and simplify cleanup.
- Blend Cottage Cheese and Seasoning: In a blender, combine the cottage cheese, Everything But The Bagel seasoning, and a small pinch of salt. Blend on medium-high speed for 1-2 minutes until the mixture becomes completely smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides halfway through blending for uniform texture.
- Incorporate Cheddar Cheese: Fold the finely shredded cheddar cheese into the blended cottage cheese mixture. This helps the cheese melt evenly, creating a cohesive texture. Let the mixture rest for about a minute so the residual heat softens the cheese slightly.
- Form and Flatten Crackers: Using a small spoon or cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Flatten each mound into thin circles approximately 1/8-inch thick using the back of a spoon or a small offset spatula. Thin crackers crisp better.
- Apply Olive Oil Spray: Lightly spray the tops of the flattened crackers with olive oil spray to promote browning and crispiness during baking. Use a quick and even mist to avoid soggy spots.
- Bake the Crackers: Bake the crackers in the preheated 350°F oven for 25-30 minutes, until edges are light golden brown and centers are set. Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 10-15 minutes; they will firm up and crisp as they cool.
- Optional Extra Crisping: For extra-crispy crackers, return the baking sheet to the oven at 300°F for an additional 5 minutes to further dry them out without burning. Allow crackers to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Use finely shredded cheddar to ensure even melting and better texture.
- Flatten crackers to about 1/8-inch thickness for optimum crispiness.
- Cool thoroughly on the baking sheet to allow crackers to firm up before handling.
- Store cooled crackers in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- If you don’t have Everything But The Bagel seasoning, you can substitute with a mix of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
