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Almond Flour Keto Crackers

Crispy, buttery almond flour keto crackers from just four ingredients with 1.8g net carbs per serving. I've been making them since 2018, and they're still the snack my family reaches for every single week.
  • 1.8gnet carbs
  • 3.8gprotein
  • 35minutes
  • 6servings

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I make these almond flour keto crackers almost every week, and they disappear the same day. Four ingredients, one bowl, and about 35 minutes start to finish. That’s it. The texture is what gets people. They shatter when you bite into them, just like a good Ritz cracker, but without all the junk.

I started making these because I couldn’t find a single store-bought option that didn’t taste like cardboard or have a weird ingredient list. Even the “almond flour” ones at the store sneak in tapioca starch and other fillers that jack up the carbs. So I figured out my own version, and it’s the one I keep coming back to. My kids eat these plain, my husband dips them into keto hummus, and I’ll pair them with just about anything.

The secret is rolling the dough paper-thin between two sheets of parchment. The thinner you roll, the crispier the cracker. I aim for about 1/16 inch. If you can almost see through the dough, you’re in the right spot. They puff up just slightly in the oven, so don’t worry if they look too thin going in.

Reader Janice tipped me off to using a tortilla press instead of a rolling pin, and it actually works. You get perfectly even rounds that look like pita crackers. I still prefer rolling for big batches, but the press is great when I want a quick handful without dragging out the parchment paper and rolling pin.

These are my go-to when I need something crunchy with million dollar dip or even just a smear of cream cheese. They hold up next to heartier dips without breaking apart. I’ve served them at parties where nobody was keto and watched the entire batch vanish. One reader brought them to a Fourth of July gathering and said the non-keto crowd cleaned the plate.

If you like these, you’ll probably love my keto tortilla chips and keto Cheez-its too. I rotate between all three depending on what I’m craving.

Each cracker has under 1g net carbs, so you can actually snack without doing math in your head. I usually make a double batch on Sundays and portion them into bags for the week. They hold up great in a paper bag on the counter for about a week, and even longer in an airtight container.

The best almond flour keto crackers

low-carb herb crackers on a baking tray

Crunchy, buttery, and salty in all the right ways. I’ve been making these almond flour crackers for years now and they’ve become a weekly staple in my house. Just like my keto tortilla chips, these low carb crackers are one of those recipes I can make on autopilot. Four ingredients, one bowl, and you’ve got about 60 crispy crackers ready for snacking.

I love that these are genuinely simple. No cheese, no eggs, no complicated steps, which also makes them naturally paleo and dairy-free. Just almond flour, xanthan gum, a brush of olive oil, and a little butter extract for that rich, buttery flavor that reminds me of movie theater popcorn. Enjoy them plain, pile them onto a keto charcuterie board, or set them out with my keto Doritos and keto Takis for a full snack spread.

a bunch of keto crackers in a small white bowl

Do you need xanthan gum for keto crackers?

Yes, and I’ve tested it both ways. Xanthan gum is what holds these gluten free crackers together. Without it, the almond flour dough crumbles apart the second you try to roll it out. I’ve had readers ask about substituting beef gelatin or psyllium husk, but neither gives you the same result. The xanthan gum creates that snap when you bite in. If the mouthfeel bothers you (a few readers have mentioned this), try reducing it by about 25% and see how the dough handles. I’ve done that and the crackers still hold, they’re just a touch more delicate.

Are store-bought crackers keto friendly?

Not the ones I’ve checked. I went through the labels on Ritz, Wheat Thins, and even the “healthy” brands at Whole Foods. Most have 10+ grams of carbs per serving with almost no fiber. Even the store-bought almond flour crackers sneak in starches that bump the carb count way up. That’s why I started making my own homemade keto crackers. I control exactly what goes in, and each cracker comes out under 1g net carbs. My kids don’t know the difference, and honestly, I prefer the taste of these over anything in a box.

holding a thin, cripsy cracker

Gluten free cracker ingredients

This keto cracker recipe only needs four main ingredients (plus salt and water, which I’m guessing you already have).

  • Almond Flour: I use a finely milled blanched almond flour. This matters. Coarse almond meal won’t give you the same texture. The fine grind is what gets these crackers closest to a traditional cracker consistency. I’ve tried four different brands and the superfine blanched version wins every time.
  • Xanthan Gum: Xanthan gum is the glue that holds these almond flour crackers together. Without it, the dough falls apart. A little goes a long way.
  • Salt: I salt the dough itself, not just the tops. Salting after baking doesn’t penetrate the almond flour very well, so I learned to mix it right into the dry ingredients.
  • Butter Extract: This is technically optional, but I never skip it. A few drops of butter flavor extract gives these crackers a rich, buttery taste that reminds me of movie theater popcorn. Seriously worth it.
  • Olive Oil: Three tablespoons, whisked with the parmesan and Italian seasoning, then brushed over the tops before baking. It is how the seasoning sticks to the crackers, and it works just as well plain if you skip the toppings.
a stack of crispy keto crackers

Tips for the crispiest keto crackers

I’ve made these enough times to know what works and what doesn’t. Here’s what I’ve figured out.

  • Wet your hands before handling the dough. It’s sticky, and oiled or damp hands make shaping so much easier.
  • Roll between parchment paper. Two sheets, dough in the middle. This keeps everything from sticking to your counter and rolling pin.
  • Roll as thin as you can without tearing. I aim for about 1/16 inch. The thinner the dough, the crispier the cracker. They puff slightly in the oven so don’t panic if they look too thin.
  • Let them cool completely on the pan. I know it’s tempting to grab one right away, but they crisp up significantly as they cool. Give them at least 15-20 minutes. The longer they sit, the more that satisfying snap develops.
  • If your crackers came out soft, they probably needed more time. Some ovens run cool and need a few extra minutes past the 30 minute bake. Every oven is different, so watch for light golden edges.
holding a square of cracker dough

Keto cracker flavor variations

I started with the Italian seasoning version and it’s still my favorite, but I’ve tested a bunch of variations over the years. Here’s what works.

  • Everything Bagel: This is the one my readers ask about most. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle Everything But the Bagel seasoning on top before baking. So good.
  • Herbed Crackers: Dried rosemary, thyme, and a little garlic powder mixed into the olive oil. These taste like something from a fancy cheese board.
  • Cinnamon Sweet: Skip the Italian seasoning. Mix a little cinnamon and your favorite keto sweetener into the olive oil. My kids love these as an after-school snack.
  • Sesame: Press sesame seeds into the top before baking. I toast my sesame seeds first for extra flavor.
  • Popcorn Style: Add extra butter extract to the dough and roll into small balls instead of flat crackers. These taste exactly like buttery popcorn bites.
a white tin cup filled with crackers that look like popcorn

How to store almond flour crackers

I’ve tested every storage method and here’s what I’ve landed on. A paper bag at room temperature keeps these crispy for about a week. The paper wicks away any moisture so they stay crunchy. Make sure they’re completely cooled before you bag them, or trapped steam will make them soggy.

For longer storage (up to two weeks), move them to an airtight container. They lose a tiny bit of crunch but still taste great. If you live somewhere humid, drop a food-safe desiccant pack in the container. One of my readers does this and swears by it. I also freeze the raw dough regularly. Just wrap it in plastic, drop it in a freezer bag, and it keeps for about two months. When I’m ready to bake, I let it thaw on the counter for about 30 minutes before rolling.

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The recipe

Almond Flour Keto Crackers

Print Pin
Prep 5 min Cook 30 min Total 35 min Serves 6

Ingredients

Servings 6

Keto Crackers Ingredients

Step by Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven

    Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

    red 250 on a black background
  2. Combine dry ingredients

    In a small bowl, whisk together almond flour, xanthan gum and salt.

    dry ingredients whisked in a bowl
  3. Mix and knead

    Mix in hot water and flavor extract if using. Knead together with hands until combined.

    cracker dough in a bowl
  4. Roll the dough

    Roll the dough in between two sheets of parchment paper. Roll out into a rectangle shape as thin as possible, without breaking the dough. The thinner your dough, the crispier the cracker. Cut the dough into small squares using a knife.

    little cracker squares on a baking tray
  5. Whisk and brush

    In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Brush oil mixture onto the top of the cracker dough. Transfer each cracker to a parchment lined baking tray and bake at 250 degrees for 30 minutes. Let crackers cool completely. Store in a paper bag. Crackers will continue to harden and crisp up as they cool.

    brushing olive oil herb mixture on top of crackers

Nutrition

Per serving: 1/6 of recipe

Calories
184
Fat
17.1g
Protein
3.8g
Total carbs
5.6g
Net carbs
1.8g

Nutrition is an estimate calculated from the ingredients listed. Brands vary, so check labels if you track closely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use almond meal instead of almond flour?

I've tried both and almond meal doesn't work well here. Almond meal is coarser because it's ground with the skins on, and it makes the crackers gritty and crumbly. I always use superfine blanched almond flour for these. It's the difference between a cracker that snaps and one that falls apart.

Can I use a different flour instead of almond flour?

I've tested sunflower seed flour as a nut-free swap and it works, but the flavor is nuttier and slightly bitter. The texture holds up fine though. Coconut flour won't work here because it absorbs too much liquid and you'd end up with a completely different ratio. For these, almond flour really is the best option.

How do I make these crackers without xanthan gum?

I've experimented with leaving it out and the dough just doesn't hold together. My best workaround has been adding an egg white and a tablespoon of ground flaxseed to bind things. The texture changes a bit (slightly chewier, less snappy) but they still taste good. Psyllium husk is another option I've tried, using about 1.5 times the amount, but the crackers come out slightly purple-tinted and denser.

Can I make these crackers in the air fryer?

I've done it and it works, but with some adjustments. I cut smaller squares (about 1 inch), set my air fryer to 300 degrees, and bake for 8-10 minutes. You have to watch them closely because they go from golden to burnt fast. I still prefer the oven for a bigger batch, but the air fryer is perfect when I want a quick handful.

Are these crackers paleo?

I didn't design them that way on purpose, but yes. The base recipe has no eggs, no dairy, and no grains, so it qualifies as paleo. If you add the parmesan topping, that's no longer paleo, so skip it and brush with plain olive oil instead. The butter extract is just flavoring (not actual butter), so that's fine too. I've had a lot of readers tell me they make these for mixed paleo and keto households.

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Reviews

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4.6 from 22 ratings, 12 written

Made this recipe?

Replying to Luis Clark

Your rating

Crystal

Knead the dough until it actually holds together as a ball. That’s the step that makes everything else work. I had looked at so many keto cracker recipes and kept seeing disappointed reviews about texture, and then this one shows up with three ingredients and a slow 250-degree bake and honestly it’s embarrassing how much better these turned out. The snap when you break one is real. Not almond-flour-soft. Crispy the way a cracker should be.

Reply

Annie Lampella

The ball thing is real. I should probably say it louder in the instructions because it’s where most people stop too soon. Two or three minutes of kneading feels like nothing but that’s when the xanthan gum actually hydrates and the dough starts to hold. 250 degrees is the other piece. Cranking it gets you browned crackers that are still bendy inside.

Reply

Tamara K.

My daughter kept asking what flavor it was (she catches everything) and got annoyed when I said butter extract, thought it would be something fancier. That little bottle is doing so much work in a three-ingredient dough.

Reply

Annie Lampella

Butter extract doesn’t sound like much, but this dough uses olive oil, not actual butter, so that little bottle is where all the buttery flavor comes from. Your daughter has good instincts.

Reply

Danielle

Swapped the Italian seasoning for smoked paprika and a pinch of garlic powder and these are freaking addictive. The paprika turns the edges this deep rust color and the flavor is so much more savory than I expected. Double batch next Sunday.

Reply

Annie Lampella

Smoked paprika was made for this dough. That rust color gets even deeper with an extra minute in the oven. Double batch is barely enough.

Reply

Maria Thomas

Swapped the butter extract for a teaspoon of toasted sesame oil and got a savory, nutty edge that honestly works better with cheese.

Reply

Annie Lampella

Butter extract goes sweet so sesame oil makes more sense with cheese. Might steal that.

Reply

Tiffany

My husband has avoided almond flour baking for years after some early keto fails. I set out a batch before dinner and he grabbed one without asking, kept going back, then asked how I got the texture right. Rolling thinner than the 1/4 inch guide plus the low 250 oven is what does it. Slow bake gets them crisp all the way through. Adding the parmesan next batch.

Reply

Annie Lampella

Yeah, thin + 250 is what gets them all the way through. Most people roll too thick and can’t figure out why the center stays soft. Parmesan next batch and he’s hooked.

Reply

Luis Clark

My son cleared the whole tray before I got to brush on the parmesan and then had the nerve to say they needed more salt, so I guess four stars for now.

Reply

Annie Lampella

Thank you Luis! Your son is right, and the fix is easy: I hit mine with flaky salt right out of the oven when I want them saltier, on top of the half teaspoon already in the dough. The parmesan you never got to brush on would have pushed them there too.

Reply

Renee

I make these at least twice a month now, sometimes more if we’re out of something to snack on. This last batch I rolled them out a little thicker than usual (maybe 1/8 inch instead of super thin) and they came out with this perfect crunch on the outside but almost creamy in the middle. Really happy accident.

Reply

Annie Lampella

That texture difference is real. I go thinner for cracker-crispy but the 1/8 inch works if you want something more substantial. The middle stays softer at that thickness.

Reply

Mary Robins

I have not made these yet, but have a question. Can beef gelatin be subbed for the xanthan gum.? That ingredient is not one I like! Thanks..

Reply

Annie Lampella Recipe author

I haven’t tried that so I’m not sure how well it works. If you try it, let me know!

Reply

Andrea Kostrhon

We really liked the Crackers the first time I made them, even our guests who are non keto were impressed. I only played around with the temperature….. can you please clarify for me if this is Fahrenheit or Celcius? Thank you!!

Reply

Annie Lampella Recipe author

It’s Fahrenheit. Glad everyone enjoyed the recipe!

Reply

Andrea

Amazing and easy to make!! Add any spice or herb you like! I m so glad they are without cheese, as much as I love cheese, but enough is enough :-). Thank you ! I added some real butter!

Reply

Annie Lampella

Real butter brushed on while they’re still hot is so good. The extract gets that flavor into the dough but actual butter on top is just better.

Reply

Linda Tenofsky

These are THE BEST crackers. I made one substitution, I used spray olive oil at the end then topped with “Everything But the Bagel” seasoning. I brought them to a friend’s and they want to know when I will make more. I, too, found they needed a bit more time in the oven, but not an hour! I divided the recipe into 6 servings, and I made the crackers about 1 inch square; so there were about 10 per serving. Well worth it!!

Reply

Laurie H.

Linda, Thank you for the “Everything but the Bagel” seasoning suggestion! Very excited to make this recipe over the weekend! I’m very new to Keto, very much appreciate the tips and suggestions.

Reply

Janice

I made mine using a tortilla press. They look just like pita crackers! Mine also took over an hour to bake. I love the flavor and texture, but so much xantham gum gives it a weird feel in the mouth. I will try it again, but maybe add an egg and reduce the xantham by half.

Reply

Annie Lampella

The tortilla press is a great idea, love that. And yeah, the xanthan gum mouthfeel is real if the ratio tips too high. Adding an egg and cutting it back should help a lot. Let me know how it goes.

Reply

Tami Middleton

I made these for 4th of July entertaining. Not everyone there was keto and everyone loved them! Thank you!!

Reply

Annie Lampella

Fourth of July is a good test for that. Non-keto guests are the real critics. The parmesan version is even better for a crowd if you haven’t tried it yet.

Reply

Julie

I made these crackers very recently and was amazed. These are BY FAR the best keto cracker recipe I’ve tried. I did make a few modifications… I didn’t have butter extract, so I subbed melted butter for the olive oil. Also, instead of Italian seasoning, I used a ranch dressing mix (I got it from a spice shop – it wasn’t the chemical-laden one from the grocery store).
I had to bake mine much longer than directed – maybe my oven temp is off? They weren’t browning (even after about an hour in the oven), so I upped the temp a bit and they finally got some color. When I ate them the day I made them, I could really notice the xanthan gum in the texture but that mellowed by the next day.
I stored my crackers in a ziptop bag with a food-safe desiccant pack and they’ve stayed nice and crisp! I live in a very humid climate, so I didn’t think the paper bag was a good idea for me.
These will be my go-to crackers! Easy and delicious.

Reply

Annie Lampella

Ranch mix instead of Italian, I love that swap. If your oven runs cool, a cheap oven thermometer is the only way to know for sure, mine was off by 25 degrees for a long time. And the xanthan texture does mellow by day two.

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