Whole grain crackers are made with whole grain flour, offering more nutritional benefits than non-whole grain crackers. Whole wheat and graham flour are common types used, with added ingredients such as salt, oil, and water. Bakers may also add spices, seeds, and vegetables for added flavor and nutrition. Whole grain crackers have a higher nutritional value than other types of crackers.
Whole grain crackers, unlike standard white crackers, are made with flour that uses the whole grain. As a result, they offer more nutritional benefits than non-whole grain crackers. This causes many people to see whole grain crackers as a healthier alternative. Many bakers also include other healthy ingredients in their recipes to lend added nutritional value to the finished cracker.
All whole grain crackers start with whole grain flour. These types of flour are made by grinding the bran, germ and endosperm of the grain. Other types of flour use only the endosperm.
Of the types of flour used for whole grain crackers, whole wheat flour and graham flour are the most common. Both have a rough texture and are made by grinding grain. Graham flour grinds the bran and germ layers separately, grinding the bran layer into coarse pieces and the germ layer into fine pieces. Whole wheat flour grinds the whole seed in one go. Bakers may use other whole grain flours — such as rye flour, spelled flour and soy flour — but these appear less commonly in cracker recipes.
Other ingredients commonly found in whole grain crackers include salt, oil and water. The oil and water provide enough moisture to form a flat dough. Salt adds flavor to crackers. Some cooks roll the dough with all-purpose flour, and some also add a small amount of all-purpose flour with the whole-wheat flour to provide a finer texture.
Depending on personal preference, bakers add other spices and ingredients to their recipes which further alter the taste. Seeds, including sesame, cumin and poppy seeds, contribute a subtle taste and a new dimension of texture. Spices, such as garlic powder and onion powder, create a cracker with a more savory taste. Honey and sugar add sweetness to the cracker. Dehydrated, roasted and finely chopped vegetables add more vitamins and create a nutritionally well-balanced cracker.
In most cracker recipes, the baker first mixes the dry ingredients together. He adds the oil until it combines with the dry ingredients, then slowly adds the water until a dough forms. The cook has to knead and roll out the dough before cutting it into the shapes he wants for the crackers. These cut pieces of dough are baked until crispy and golden brown.
Whole grain crackers have a higher nutritional value than other types of crackers. Refined flour uses only the endosperm, which contains most of the kernel’s carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. The germ contains additional vitamins, proteins, minerals and healthy fats, however, and the bran contains vitamins, fiber and antioxidants. While crackers made from refined flour still have nutritional value, crackers made from whole grains have a more complete nutritional profile.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
