Easy Rosemary Crackers – An Italian in my Kitchen

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These easy rosemary crackers are easy to make at home and perfect to include on your next cheese plate! Made with olive oil, rosemary, water, flour and yeast they are light, crispy and make a great snack. 

 

Include these artisanal crackers with olive oil and rosemary on your next Italian antipasto charcuterie board along with some sun dried tomatoes and black olive tapenade. 

If the thought of making bread sounds intimidating, start with these rosemary crackers! They are easy to make and add that special touch to any charcuterie cheese board or snack plate.

I rolled some of my crackers up to resemble Sicilian cannoli and thought it gave my normal cheese and crackers a little pizzaz. They taste just as good cut into cracker shapes, too!

These homemade crackers are thinner than my savory biscotti and perfect to top with some Italian roasted peppers or some smoked salmon spread like the Italian did! 

Why You’ll Love These Homemade Crackers

  • Light and airy: Using just a tiny amount of yeast instead of baking powder produces light crispy crackers!
  • Easy to make: These artisanal rosemary crackers use just 6 basic ingredients and they would cost you so much more to purchase in a gourmet food store!

Easy Rosemary Crackers Recipe Ingredients

  • Olive oil: I like to use a good quality extra virgin olive oil. They key is to use one that you like.
  • Fresh rosemary: Do not substitute dried rosemary as the fresh rosemary makes the infused olive oil.
  • Flour: I used all-purpose flour
  • Water: To add moisture to the dough.
  • Active dry yeast: Ensure you are using fresh yeast.
  • Salt: Use table salt for the dough and if you like some salty flakes to sprinkle on the dough before baking.
Ingredients for the recipe.Ingredients for the recipe.

How to Make Rosemary Crackers

To start, infuse the olive oil with the rosemary by combining the olive oil and chopped rosemary in a small bowl then setting them aside.

Mixing the rosemary and oil in a small bowl.Mixing the rosemary and oil in a small bowl.

Activate the yeast by adding water to a large mixing bowl then sprinkling the yeast on top, let sit then stir to combine. With a wooden spoon add flour, combine then add the oil mixture and salt. Move dough to a flat surface and knead until smooth. 

Activating the yeast in a small white bowl and making the dough in a mixing bowl.Activating the yeast in a small white bowl and making the dough in a mixing bowl.

Place cracker dough in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap then let rise in a warm draft free area until doubled.

the dough before and after doubling.the dough before and after doubling.

Remove the smooth ball of dough to a flat surface, knead a few times then roll out to thin sheets. Cut into long thin strips using a pizza cutter or pastry wheel or use cookie cutters to make fancier crackers. Cut the strips into two squares, prick each square once or twice in the middle with a fork.

The dough cut out on a baking sheet.The dough cut out on a baking sheet.

Place the rosemary crackers on the prepared parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake until golden, let cool, and serve.

The crackers baked on the baking sheet.The crackers baked on the baking sheet.

Tips and variations

  • Homemade rosemary sea salt crackers: Lightly brush cracker recipe with olive oil before baking and add a sprinkle of flaky salt. 
  • Leftover dough scraps: Bake the extra bits and pieces and use them to soups like I do with these savory Parmesan cookies or to serve with salad. Crush them and use them as breading!
  • Use a rolling pin: You want to roll your crackers as thin as possible so they crisp up! The dough is durable and ideally should be pie pastry thin when rolled out.
  • Prick with a fork: This allows air to escape and create an airy cracker.
  • Fresh herbs or Parmesan: If you are out of fresh rosemary you can try another herb like thyme or oregano. You can sprinkle with Parmesan cheese half way through baking time if you would like. 
Soup in a bowl with crackers on a wooden board.Soup in a bowl with crackers on a wooden board.

Serving Suggestions

While these rosemary crackers are great on a charcuterie with some Italian breadsticks or served with soft cheeses like fresh goat cheese or brie, you can also serve them a variety of other ways!

How to Store Easy Homemade Crackers

Cool completely then store homemade rosemary crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for about 3-4 days up to a week. Store away from heat or humidity to ensure they stay crispy.

More Appetizer Recipes

The crackers on a black plate and some on a wooden board.The crackers on a black plate and some on a wooden board.

When you are looking for the perfect homemade cracker recipe, I hope you give these Easy Rosemary Crackers a try. Buon Appetito!

  • ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ – 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 2 cups flour
  • ½ cup + 3 tablespoons water (165 ml total, if doubling the recipe then double this amount)
  • ¾ teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • In a small bowl mix together olive oil and chopped rosemary, set aside.

  • In a large bowl add the water, sprinkle the yeast on top, let sit 10 minutes, stir to combine. With a wood spoon add flour and stir a few times, add oil mixture and salt, stir a few more times, move dough to a flat surface and knead until smooth, approximately 5 minutes. (or use a stand mixer)

  • Place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap, let rise in a warm draft free area until doubled, approximately 1-2 hours.

  • Pre-heat oven to 400F/200C.

  • Knead the dough a few times then roll half of it on a piece of parchment paper, until pie pastry thin (â…›” / 3-4 mm). Cut (with a fancy or plain cutter) into long thin strips 3 x 6 inches (6×12 cm). You could also use cut outs to make fancier crackers. Cut the strips into two squares, prick each square once or twice in the middle with a fork, spray or brush with a little olive oil, bake for approximately 15-20 minutes until golden brown, let cool on the pan, then serve. Enjoy!

It’s best to cut the crackers right on the parchment paper because it is very hard to move them when they are that thin. 

How to Store Easy Homemade Crackers

Cool completely then store homemade rosemary crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for about 3-4 days up to a week. Store away from heat or humidity to ensure they stay crispy.

Calories: 246kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 585mg | Potassium: 75mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 3mg

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