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Have you had those fabulous seeded crackers from the gourmet markets? They're loaded with dried fruit, nuts and seeds. Thin and super crisp, they make a delicious nibble on their own and are also quite sensational with soft and hard cheeses, hummus and spreads of all varieties. However....they're EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE!
Even at Trader Jo's, which has wonderful gourmet products at reasonable prices, they're selling for four dollars for a small box. And at the fancy-dancy markets.... well, be prepared to spend most of ten dollars for an even smaller package.
Guess what? You can make these delightful, healthy crackers at home for a FRACTION of the commercially packaged price. And with this recipe, you can have fun mixing and matching the seeds, nuts and dried fruit to your own taste.
Fun is definitely what we had while coming up with these Seeded California Fig & Pistachio Crisps. It all started with a wonderful package on our front steps. It arrived from sunny California loaded with beautiful dried figs and with some awesome OXO kitchen tools. The package was part of a recipe development challenge for EatWriteRetreat, a blogger's conference we'll be attending in Philadelphia in two short weeks.
If you're a regular reader here at The Café, you may be feeling like you're having deja vu, since I mentioned a similar package several weeks ago filled with California Raisins. I used them in my Sweet & Spicy California Raisin Jam w/ Orange & Ginger. No, you're not dreaming, we actually received TWO of these fun packages since Scott and I will both be attendees at the conference.
The challenge was to come up with an appetizer using the "mystery" ingredient we received in our packages, this one was California Figs. We enjoy figs, both fresh and dried here at the Café, so we were excited about the assignment. I love it that they're an all natural energy source and are fat, sodium and cholesterol free. The old brains were whirring as we tried to decide which way to go, and it seemed like we had a zillion ideas.
We finally decided on a crisp, healthy cracker that would mimic those fancy seeded gourmet delights. I got to work in, what my husband calls, "the mad scientist mode". We (I did the cooking and Scott was the taste-tester and critiquer) tried different combinations and amounts of ingredient, varying the pan shapes as well as the baking times and temperatures.
We're super happy with the final results. Our crisps include equal amounts of all-purpose and whole wheat flour, Greek yogurt, low fat milk, brown sugar, honey, lots of healthy seeds, pistachios, golden raisins and a generous portion of the delicious California Figs. I baked them in small pans and, after cooling, sliced them super thin and popped them back in the oven for a final crisping. With the other half of the batter, I used empty tomato cans which made round-shaped crackers ...................... beautiful on a cheese or appetizer tray!
One last thing I love about this recipe; it makes a TON! ................. but you don't have to make all the crackers at one time. You can throw the whole baked loaves in the freezer and when you get the call that company's coming, pull one out, slice it thin and pop it in the oven. When the doorbell rings, the most delicious aroma will greet your guests and they'll think you ARE the gourmet market!
- 1 ½ cups coarsely chopped California Dried Figs I used California Mission Figs but any kind will work
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup all purpose flour 2 tablespoons removed to coat figs, see instructions
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
- 1 cup low fat milk
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 1 ½ cups shelled pistachios
- ½ cup sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- ¼ cup sesame seeds
- ¼ cup flax seed*
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Preheat oven to 350˚F.). Spray five small bread pans generously with baking spray (for rectangle shaped crackers).
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For round crackers use clean, dry, empty food cans. Number of cans will depend on size of cans. I used seven 10-ounce Rotel tomato cans. Spray cans with baking spray. Rub spray all over with a paper towel then spray again. Cans need to be very well greased to ensure easy removal of loaves.
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Combine chopped figs with the 2 tablespoons flour. With your hand, toss to completely coat figs with flour. Set aside.
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Whisk together Greek yogurt, milk and honey in a medium size bowl. Set aside.
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Combine both flours, brown sugar, baking soda and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add raisins, pistachios and all seeds. Stir to mix well.
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Add Greek yogurt mixture to dry ingredients and stir until all four are incorporated. Add chopped figs and stir gently just to combine.
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Divide batter between prepared pans, filling ¾ full. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center of a loaf comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in pan, then turn out onto cooling rack and cool completely. When cool, place in freezer for at least 1 hour.
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When ready to complete crackers (their "second bake"), preheat oven to 250˚F and line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper.
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Remove loaves from freezer. With a sharp knife, slice loaves as thinly as possible. Place slices on prepared sheet pans. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown and quite crisp. Crisping will continue as crackers cool. When completely cool, store in an airtight container.
~ *Use milled or ground flax seed whenever possible. Whole flax seeds are not easily absorbed and therefore much of the nutritional value is lost.
~ If weather is humid and crackers loose some of their crispness, you can easily restore their deliciousness by placing in a 250˚F oven for 10 minutes.
~ Mix and match the seeds and nuts to your liking, just keep the total amount the same. Also feel free to substitue different dried fruits, really the sky's the limit to the variations that are possible here.
~ A tablespoon of chopped fresh rosemary is a delicious addition to this recipe. We wanted to let the figs shine on their own this time, but we also tried it with the rosemary and it's wonderful!
~ When you're slicing the crackers, it will be difficult to slice thin when you get to the end of the loaf. Instead of wasting the last little bit, I cut the ends up into little cubes, toast them in a separate pan as the crackers bake and voila! Delicious croutons that will jazz up the simplest salad!
~ If you're tired of granola, these are wonderful for breakfast with fresh fruit and yogurt!
Laura Clark says
Finally tried these! I have not tried the cracker part, but as I was slicing I was eating the crumbs. This is great without the second bake! perfect with butter of cream cheese. I'm going to try the crackers with the traditional cream cheese and pepper jelly. I think I may just toast some of them. And much easier than I thought it would be. I used garbanzo bean cans (from the guacamole hummus recipe I made!). The recipe is great but for some reason I am only able to select one star.
Terri's Table says
This is fabulous! I have been looking for a recipe for these to replace the Raincoast Crisps I buy at Fresh Market! Time to start saving my Ro-tel cans. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
Pistachios in a cracker - my family would love these!
Jen Laceda | Tartine and Apron Strings says
What a healthy snack / treat! I am definitely bookmarking this because I I want to taste this!!! Ahhhh...loving these crisps 🙂
Jacqueline Meldrum says
They look wonderful! I must try to make these.
Shelby | Diabetic Foodie says
I'm trying to incorporate more nuts and seeds into my diet and these crisps look like just the ticket. They sound SO good. I've never tried making crackers at home, but you've inspired me! Hope to meet you at EWR.
Pink Patisserie says
What a great recipe Chris! I love these kind of crackers but never buy them because of sticker shock. I can't wait to try them. They're gorgeous!
Lisa {Authentic Suburban Gourmet } says
I do love those crackers, but yes they can cost you an arm and a leg. I have purchased the ones from Trader Joes and they are tasty. But NOW I have a great recipe from you to make at home. Love it!!!!!!
Erin Dee says
Seeded crackers?! I've never seen these. They look really interesting and I love how you made a homemade version instead of just getting the expensive but convenient ones. Nice!
Ms Lemon of Make Mine Lemon says
These sound delicious. I think they should have a little feta smooshed on them. Salty/sweet, mmmmmm....
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
Oooh I love that you can make these right at home! Thanks for saving me a ton of money!
Andrea_TheKitchenLioness says
Chris, amazing photography of your fabulous Fig and Pistachio Crackers - they look so unbeliebably good and picture perfect. You do come up with these fantastic recipes and I am sure that they would be a huge hit at any party or celebration! Figs and pistachios are truly wonderful ingredients to use in a cracker!
Have a wonderful Friday!
Patty Price says
Beautiful crisp dried fruit and nut crackers! They look professionally baked and just waiting for a nice piece of cheese on top 😉
Cathy at Wives with Knives says
I make something similar that we all love. Figs and pistachios is a wonderful combinations of flavors and they will be perfect on a cheese tray for our next wine tasting. Lovely photos, Chris.
Dining Alone says
I have never had these before but they look full of things that I love!
Georgia | The Comfort of Cooking says
I would love to try these delicious crisps, they look so flavorful and perfect for smearing with soft goat cheese. Great recipe, Chris!
Torviewtoronto says
colourful healthy treats
mia xara says
Hi Chris, your crackers are loaded with wholesome ingredients!!! They look way and above store bought ones..Beautiful presentation! Have a great weekend!
Elisabeth Foodandthrift says
Love the round shape of these yummy, crispy, crunchy crackers! Not only attractive, but absolutely amazing!
Pondside says
Thank you for posting this. A friend made something similar - much like the very expensive Raincoast Crisps we get up here - but didn't share the recipe. Now I can make them too!
Kim G. says
I love this kind of crackers!!!! I bought some once and these were wayyyyyy to pricey!!!! I'll definitly try yours... With camembert, yummy!
Liz Berg says
These would be the first crackers I'd go for at a cocktail party! They truly look like they came from a fine purveyor...just perfect! You continue to amaze me with your gorgeous creations, Chris 🙂
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
If I serve these to my friends... I know they will think that I bought them. Seriously the figs and pistachios make the crisps very fancy! I love it!
Sue/the view from great island says
I love these, Chris! I made these, too, but didn't get those perfect rounds that you have. The tomato can idea sounds perfect! They look like gorgeous nut and seed mosaics!
Jennifer@ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
I just love your crisp recipes! I make them all of the time! I happen to have a huge bag of figs, and I am excited to make these this weekend!!!