The best combinations, like cheese and crackers, and peanut butter and jelly, require both to be the perfect pair they are destined to be. We have done the work for you and found the Best Crackers For A Charcuterie Board. Categories include the best fancy crackers, best retro crackers, best kid choice crackers, best budget crackers, and best gluten free crackers. Including tips on how to serve someone on a special diet. Simplifying the process of selecting a variety of crackers for your next charcuterie board.
Are you serving charcuterie board to someone with a special diet? I have tips and tricks to make sure everyone can enjoy your charcuterie board with a few simple steps. Are you serving kids and need kid-friendly cracker options for a charcuterie board? I did an in-depth survey of a few of my favorite kids, ranging from teens to toddlers, to ensure I got real-life answers. If you have a child in your life or know one, you already know how much kids LOVE crackers!
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Best Fancy Cracker Options
If you are making a charcuterie board for a fancy event, holiday appetizer, or game night and want to impress, there are impressive crackers out there with price tags to prove it.
Table Water Crackers - Carr's Table Water Crackers are branded with the Carr logo, so fancy.
Artisanal Crisps - There are many flavors of artisan crackers, ranging from fruit crackers to various grains and flavor combinations. Anything named artisanal, you know, is going to be fancy.
Flatbread Crackers - Ranging in different flavors, grain free options, sourdough, and in a long rectangle shape.
Breadsticks - Crunchy, tall, and skinny, not the warm, bready type. These also add height to your charcuterie board.
Pita Chips - These fun triangle-shaped pita crackers are a fun upgrade from the standard round shape.
Best Retro Cracker Options
Nothing was better than knowing that your elementary lunchbox contained a Lunchable: the classic cracker, buttery, and a perfect circle. Lunch meat, either ham or turkey, is also cut into circles. Alongside cheddar cheese, of course. And if you were lucky, an Oreo cookie. Now we are all grown up and can make a Lunchable-inspired charcuterie board whenever we want! No parental permission is required.
Buttery Crackers - Ritz crackers are buttery, perfectly round crackers. Get a healthier option and grab whole wheat crackers.
Club Crackers - Light buttery flavor, but in a rectangular shape.
Not Subtle Flavored - Try Chicken in a Biskit, retro all the way. Add these distinctively flavored crackers if you want to throw it back. Pair it with a mild cheese.
Kids Cracker Choice
Even kids love a charcuterie board, even if they cannot pronounce it. Let's be honest, almost all of us have to pause before we say char-cute-rie board. Kids love crackers and also have very strong opinions about what they want. Anyone who has ever tried to give a toddler a green cup when they only want a blue cup knows this. Yes, they have very strong emotions.
Cheesy Fun Shaped Crackers - Goldfish Crackers - Cute, classic, and delicious. Try the flavor-blasted versions if you haven't yet.
Whole Wheat Crackers - Triscuit Thins -Not to be confused with traditional Triscuits, it must be the thin option.
White Cheddar Flavored - White Cheddar Chez-Its - This cracker is for the kiddo who doesn't actually want to eat the sliced cheese and wants an all-in-one combo.
Wheat Crackers - Wheat Thins - Another toddler favorite I would have never guessed on my own, but I am a fan!
Small Crackers - Oyster Crackers - Perfectly sized for tiny hands and a great budget option!
Best Budget Cracker Option for Charcuterie Board
If you have ever built a charcuterie board, you know they can get expensive very quickly. Depending on your options, you range from expensive meat options to even more costly cheese options. Saving money on crackers is a reasonable way to reduce the overall cost of a charcuterie board without sacrificing flavor or presentation.
Variety Packs - Purchase a variety pack of crackers, all in one package. This will give you many options, ranging from multigrain crackers and herb crackers, to whole grain crackers. All in different shapes and sizes, without a high price tag for individual packages.
Aldi - During the holiday season, Aldi has a great charcuterie selection for crackers and building a charcuterie board. If it is not the holiday season, do not skip Aldi. There is an excellent cracker assortment of options they carry year-round.
Generic Brand Options - If you love having a large assortment of crackers but not the price tag, grab a generic option. At Walmart, the Great Value brand has great options. Crackers will be served outside their packaging, so nobody will ever know your secret.
Best Gluten Free Cracker Options
As someone on a special diet who eats gluten free, while it is never expected, it feels wonderful to be included in group food events. Gluten-free options with a satisfying crunch and different flavors are a great way to include everyone.
Basic Gluten Free Option - Good Thing Simply Salt Crackers - only three ingredients listed. This cracker is excellent for anyone who is also on a low FODMAP diet, dairy free diet, egg free diet. The more ingredients listed, the more complicated it can be for special diets.
Seeded Cracker - Mary's Gone Crackers Super Seed Crackers - Not only is this cracker filled with textures, but it is also gluten free.
Texture and Flavor - Milton's Olive Oil and Sea Salt Crackers - I love this brand for gluten free crackers.
Cheesy Gluten Free Option - ParmCrisps - If you need a cracker made solely out of cheese, ParmCrisps is a great option, with a unique flavor-the saltiness of parmesan cheese in a baked cracker form.
Special Diets Charcuterie Tips
Serving Someone On A Gluten Free Diet: If you are serving someone on a gluten free diet, it is best to keep any ingredients that contain gluten separate. Why? Because if the person has celiac disease, cross-contamination is very serious. Keep the crackers like Ritz separate from the rice crackers. This goes for any meat or cheese that may also contain gluten.
Ingredients Tip: The beautiful charcuterie board is also without packaging. This means the meats, cheeses, crackers, dips, and jams are also presented without their ingredients listed. As someone who reads ingredients as though it is her job, this is where the anxiety creeps in. Ease the anxiety by taking a quick photo of the ingredients. This way, the person on the special diet can see for themselves what is in the product and you are off the hook for knowing what ingredients are in everything.
Create Labels: Solve the mystery and know exactly what is gluten-free. Creating a quick label, even a post-it note will work. It doesn't have to be fancy. It will put anyone at ease that the person who built the board earlier did indeed not mistake what was gluten free and what wasn't. Labels not only solve mysteries but also ease anxiety!
How To Build a Simple Charcuterie Board
Board - Grab a large wooden cutting board, baking sheet, plastic tray, or even your countertop covered in craft paper.
Cheese - Pick two or three kinds of cheese-various colors, flavors, and textures. Various cheeses range from soft cheeses, aged cheeses, and mild cheeses from mild to robust flavors. Or better yet, pick your favorites.
Meat - Pick two or three kinds of meat-a variety of meats like deli meats - like smoked turkey and ham, or cured meats - like salami and pepperoni. Choose high quality meat products for their texture and flavors.
Crackers - Crackers are the perfect canvas for all the different cheese and meat types. Pick from the large list of crackers above! It is all covered if you need crackers for a special diet or kid-approved options.
Fresh Fruits and Veg - Choose one or two options. Grapes and carrots are a fantastic choice. Choose fruits and veggies that are not watery. Nobody wants a soggy charcuterie board.
Savory Dips/Sweet Jams - Hummus, ranch, or a dill dip are great options. Fig jam, or strawberry jam, is another excellent addition.
Nuts - Add one or two nut options. Pecans, cashews, almonds - choose your favorite.
Vegetarian - Skip the meat and make a cheese board with all the best cheese options. Be sure not to select a cheese with a meat product incorporated into it-for example, bacon cheddar cheese.
The beautiful thing about a charcuterie board is that it is entirely customizable to whatever you need.
FAQs
The key to keeping crackers from getting soggy is not to refrigerate them. However, if you need to prep for a party I tested it and the crackers were fine when covered with plastic wrap for four hours. It is essential to keep air away from them. If possible keep the crackers in an airtight bag until ready to serve. Also, keep watery fruit or veggies in small bowls.
Suppose you are serving the charcuterie board as an appetizer plan on 3-5 ounces per person. However, if you are serving a charcuterie board as a complete meal, plan on at least 8 ounces per person. And if you are feeding kids, or teens plan on 8 ounces regardless of whether it's an appetizer or meal, and have backups in your pantry.
Creating a charcuterie board for 1-2 people is possible without sacrificing flavor or presentation. In order to provide a wide variety of cheese, build in types of cheese you will be able to use in your meal planning. Same idea for the meat selections. Use leftovers as pizza toppings. Grab fruit options that you can bring to lunch or enjoy for breakfast. Use only your favorite crackers so that you can eat the entire package before going stale. Jams will keep in the fridge for a month.
Meal Planning
Board Party: Going to a board party, yes, this is a thing. When going to a board party, you have to create a board with a theme. Like making a charcuterie board with all things cheddar. Cheddar cheese, cheddar flavored crackers, cheddar cheese spread, you get the idea.
No Cook Night: Make a charcuterie board when it is too hot to cook or when you need a night off.
Large Crowd: Skip the board and spread out the charcuterie board on your countertop covered in craft paper, parchment paper, or aluminum foil for your next gathering. It is a better way to serve everyone and spread all cheese and meat options. Plus, the visual appeal for your guests will be convenient. Allowing them to see what types of cheese, meats, and crackers are available.
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