These delectable mixed grain Birdseed Crackers are loaded with a variety of nutritious and dense seeds. Not only are these crackers naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, but they are also suitable for vegans, offering a wholesome and flavourful snack option.
These delightful Birdseed Crackers are not only gluten-free and dairy-free but also vegan-friendly. Packed with nutrient-dense seeds, renowned for their abundance of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, these crackers offer a wholesome snacking option.
Perfect for pairing with cheeseboards, grazing platters, dips, salsas, salads, a Ploughman’s style lunch, or enjoyed on their own, these crackers boast a delightful combination of crispiness, seediness, toasty flavuors, and a satisfying crunch. Although a bit fragile and prone to breaking easily, this characteristic doesn’t compromise the incredible taste and enjoyment these crackers bring. Be warned, it’s hard to stop at just one!
Ingredients required for birdseed crackers
These crackers have a foundation composed of six different healthy seeds and polenta. The combination is bound together with olive oil and boiling water, creating a cohesive mixture. The addition of salt enhances the flavours of the seeds, resulting in a well-balanced and wholesome cracker base.
How to make
Creating these Birdseed Crackers is remarkably straightforward. A quick and simple process involves mixing all the ingredients together briefly. Once done, divide the mixture between baking trays, flatten it out, and then bake until achieving a delightful crispness!
- Mix all the seeds with polenta and salt
- Add olive oil and boiling water and mix quickly to combine
- Divide mixture between lined trays
- Spread mixture with a spoon and pat out (see video)
- Bake until crisp
- Bread into shards and serve
Storage
To store Birdseed Crackers and maintain their freshness:
- Airtight Container: Place the cooled crackers in an airtight container. This helps prevent exposure to air and moisture, preserving their crisp texture.
- Room Temperature: If you plan to consume the crackers within a week or so, storing them at room temperature is generally acceptable. Ensure they are kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Refrigeration: For longer storage, especially in warmer climates, consider refrigerating the crackers. This helps prevent the oils in the seeds from going rancid. Make sure to use an airtight container to avoid absorption of odours from the refrigerator.
- Freezing: Birdseed Crackers can also be frozen. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container. Label with the date for easy tracking. Thaw at room temperature when ready to use.
Always store in a dry environment to maintain their crispiness. If crackers lose their crisp texture, you can re-crisp them in the oven for a few minutes at a low temperature.
Serving suggestions
These versatile Birdseed Crackers can be enjoyed in various ways. Here are some serving suggestions:
- Cheeseboards: Pair the crackers with a selection of cheeses for a delightful cheeseboard.
- Grazing Platters: Include the crackers on grazing platters along with cured meats, fruits, and a variety of dips.
- Dips and Salsas: Serve the crackers with your favourite dips or salsas for a tasty and textured experience.
- Salads: Crumble the crackers over salads to add a crunchy and nutritious element.
- Ploughman’s Style Lunch: Create a Ploughman’s lunch by pairing the crackers with cheese, pickles, chutney, and perhaps some cold cuts.
- Solo Snacking: Enjoy these crackers on their own for a healthy and satisfying snack.
- Gifts: Package the crackers in a decorative box or bag to create a thoughtful homemade gift.
You may also enjoy
- Crazily Good Hummus – this is the perfect dip to serve with the Birdseed Crackers
- Fresh Spinach Dip – a lovely dip for this crackers
- Curried Egg Dip – a firm family favourite
- Easy 5 Ingredient Guacamole
- Greek Tzatziki Dip
Have You Made This Recipe?
If you have don’t forget to tag @feedmekate on Instagram and hashtag it #feedmekate
Birdseed Crackers
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons pepitas
- 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup flaxseeds
- ¾ cup fine polenta
- 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup boiling water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 150℃ (130℃ fan forced). Line 2 large baking trays with baking paper.
- Place all seeds, polenta and salt into a mixing bowl and stir to combine. olive oil and boiling water and stir well to combine.
- Divide mixture evenly between the 2 baking trays and spread out each portion using the back of a metal spoon, as thinly as possible but making sure there are no holes present. (this can be a little tricky but just keep smoothing it out as best you can). See Notes below.
- Transfer trays to oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, checking often, to make sure the mixture does not burn. Remove and allow to cool completely on the trays.
- To serve, break the mixture into shards. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- COOKS NOTES:
Oven Temps: Oven temperatures are for conventional, if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C.
Measurements: We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon = 5 ml, 1 tablespoon = 20 ml & 1 cup = 250 ml.
Herbs: All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed.
Vegetables: All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified.
Eggs: We use extra-large size and eggs are 55-60 g each, unless specified. - SEEDS
If you don’t have black sesame seeds, you can use white instead. You could also add poppy seeds or hemp seeds. Just remember, if using other seeds, make sure you keep the quantity the same. i.e if you add 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, minus 1 tablespoon of the one of the other seeds. - SPREADING OF THE MIXTURE
As soon as you have made the seed mixture with oil and water, pour immediately onto the baking tray. I find it easier to spread before it starts to thicken slightly. See the video above on the method to “pat” the mixture out.
Due to the nature of the ingredients, the crackers, once baked and cooled are a little fragile and break up quite easily. But still 100% edible.
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