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Thin & Crispy Chia Seed Crackers

Annie, Healthy Food by Annie
Thin, seriously crispy and packed with crunchy seeds, these homemade chia seed crackers are made with chia, pumpkin, sunflower and hemp seeds, with little bites of dried apricot and savory herbs and spices. Naturally flourless, gluten-free, grain-free and vegan, they’re made without added sugar and are surprisingly easy to prepare. Enjoy them as a wholesome snack, with dips or cheese, or crumble them over salads for extra crunch.
Print Recipe
Course Healthy Snacks
Cuisine Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Grain Free, Keto Option, Nut Free, Paleo, Sugar-Free, Vegan & Vegetarian
Servings 29 crackers
Calories 66 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ⅓ cup + 2 tbsp chia seeds about 88 g
  • 1¼ cups hot water 300 ml, divided, plus a little extra if needed
  • ¼ cup + 2 tbsp dried apricots about 50 g, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup pumpkin seeds if large roughly chopped (about 30 g)
  • ¼ cup sunflower seeds about 35 g
  • ¼ cup hemp seeds about 40 g
  • 1 tsp rosemary
  • 1½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp thyme
  • ⅓ tsp black pepper
  • ⅓ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ⅓ tsp salt or to taste
  • Black sesame seeds for sprinkling
  • Olive oil for lightly brushing the parchment and tops

Low-Carb & Keto-Friendly Option:

  • Omit the dried apricots.

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Oven and Tray
    Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F) fan.
    Line a large baking tray with parchment paper and lightly brush the paper with olive oil.
  • Hydrate the Chia Seeds
    Add the chia seeds, rosemary, smoked paprika, thyme, black pepper, cinnamon and salt to a large mixing bowl.
    Pour in 1 cup (240 ml) hot water and stir thoroughly.
    The water can be freshly boiled from the kettle and allowed to stand briefly before adding. It does not need to be actively bubbling when poured over the chia seeds.
  • Add the Seeds and Apricots
    Add the finely chopped dried apricots, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and hemp seeds.
    Pour in the remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) hot water and stir thoroughly until everything is evenly combined.
    Cover the bowl and let the mixture rest for 10 to 15 minutes, until the chia seeds have absorbed the water and the mixture becomes thick and gel-like.
    If the mixture becomes too thick to spread comfortably, add a little more hot water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until spreadable but not runny.
  • Shape the Crackers
    Spoon portions of the mixture onto the prepared baking tray.
    Place a round cookie cutter or metal ring around each portion, then use a small silicone spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the mixture evenly to the edges.
    Keep each cracker thin and evenly shaped throughout so the edges and center crisp at the same rate.
    Carefully lift away the ring and repeat with the remaining mixture.
  • Finish the Tops
    Sprinkle the crackers with black sesame seeds.
    Lightly brush or spray the tops with a little olive oil.
  • Bake Until Crisp
    Bake for 15 minutes.
    Rotate the baking and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the crackers look dry, deeply golden and crisp.
  • Crisp the Centers if Needed
    If the edges are crisp but the centers still feel slightly soft, move the tray to the top level of the oven and bake for approximately 5 minutes more.
    Watch closely during these final minutes, as the seeds and dried apricot can darken quickly.
  • Cool Completely
    Remove from the oven and leave the crackers to cool completely on the baking tray.
    They will continue to firm and become crispier as they cool.
  • Serve
    Enjoy them on their own, with hummus, avocado, cheese, dips or fresh fruit, or crumble them over salads for a delicious crunchy topping.

Notes

  1. Even thickness matters: Keep each cracker thin and evenly spread so the center crisps before the edges become too dark.
  2. Water: Chia seeds can absorb slightly different amounts of water. If the mixture is too thick after resting, add hot water 1 tablespoon at a time.
  3. Apricot: Use unsweetened dried apricots if you want to keep the recipe free from added sugar.
  4. Low-Carb & Keto-Friendly Option: Omit the dried apricots. The estimated nutrition drops to approximately 1 g net carb per cracker.
  5. Crispness: Let the crackers cool completely before judging their final texture, as they continue to crisp as they cool.
  6. Storage: Once completely cool, keep them in an airtight container to protect their crisp texture.

 

Nutrition Facts per Serving, 1 Cracker

Nutrition per serving: 1 of 29 crackers, Calories: 66 kcal, Protein: 3 g, Carbohydrate: 5 g, Net Carb: 3 g, Sugars: 2 g, Fat: 5 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Fiber: 2 g, Sodium: 30 mg, Calcium: 35 mg, Magnesium: 45 mg, Iron: 1 mg

 

Nutrition Facts per Serving, 1 Cracker Without Apricots

Nutrition per serving: 1 of 29 crackers, Calories: ~58 kcal, Protein: ~3 g, Carbohydrate: ~3 g, Net Carb: ~1 g, Sugars: <1 g, Fat: ~5 g, Saturated Fat: ~0.6 g, Fiber: ~2 g, Sodium: ~30 mg, Calcium: ~35 mg, Magnesium: ~45 mg, Iron: ~1 mg

 

Nutrition Facts Notes

✔️ Naturally Gluten-Free & Flourless
✔️ Source of Fibre
✔️ Plant Protein from Seeds: Chia, pumpkin, sunflower and hemp seeds contribute approximately 3 g of protein per cracker.
✔️ Source of Magnesium: Each cracker provides approximately 45 mg magnesium, around 14% of the Australian regulatory RDI of 320 mg. 
✔️ Chia Seeds Provide Plant-Based Omega-3
✔️ Unsaturated Fats from Seeds
✔️ Naturally Mineral-Rich Ingredients: The combination of seeds contributes magnesium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, calcium and other micronutrients.
✔️ Naturally Sweetened with Apricots
✔️ No Added Sugar
✔️ Paleo-Friendly
✔️ Naturally Vegan & Dairy-Free
✔️ Nutrient-Dense, Not Low-Calorie: Seeds provide fibre, protein, minerals and unsaturated fats, but they are also naturally energy-dense, so portion size still matters.
✔️ Great for a Balanced Snack

 

Without Apricots

✔️ Low-Carb Option: Without the dried apricots, each cracker provides approximately 1 g net carb, making them suitable for many lower-carb eating styles.
✔️ Keto-Friendly Option: Three apricot-free crackers provide approximately 3 g net carbs, so they can fit into many ketogenic diets when they fit within your individual daily carbohydrate target.
✔️ No Added Sugar
Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutrition values are estimates based on 29 crackers. Exact values will vary depending on the weight and brands of the seeds and dried apricots, the amount of black sesame used for topping, cracker size and how much olive oil remains after lightly brushing the pan and crackers.
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