Build a better charcuterie board with these yummy cracker choices! This list reviews the best charcuterie board crackers so your cheese board is a showstopper. Here are my top 10 favorites...
One of the best things about creating & serving charcuterie boards is the fun variety they offer. Just like the different kinds of cheeses, fruits, & flavors, offering a variety of crackers is also key.
Whether you are making small romantic charcuterie board for two or a large one to feed a crowd, having the right crackers is important. I am sharing my favorite tips & tricks on how to pick out a variety of fantastic crackers; plus crisps, & breads.
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My Expertise
For years I ran a personal chef and catering business. During that time cheese boards were a staple at just about every event, big & small.
During those years, I worked with clients to customize cheese and cracker pairings perfectly. Creating a better charcuterie board over the years was a natural progression.
I have purchased and tried all these crackers personally. I have also taken into account reviews by clients & what crackers they have loved over the years.
Below I am sharing my years of experience so your cheese board is fantastic. All are reasonably priced, easy to find, & will please even the pickiest eaters.
Charcuterie Board Sets for Home
I admit, charcuterie is a meal for me. The whole family loves eating this way. It is always fresh, exciting, & super tasty. Getting the whole family involved in picking out items & putting it together is wonderful too.
Having a charcuterie board set at home sure makes it easy. They are not expensive. And many, like the one I have by Smirly, are compact & include everything you need.
What to Consider & How I Ranked
Here are the 4 areas of consideration you want to keep in mind before shopping. To ensure your charcuterie board is as pretty, tasty, & flavorful as possible, factor in these things:
Flavor
Offer a variety of flavors so that everyone finds something they love. This is also important because different crackers pair better with different flavored cheeses.
Texture
Offer difference choices with levels of crunchy, crispy, flakiness, & sturdiness. Dense rye crackers and buttery Ritz crackers offer different flavors & textures.
Shape & Size
Placing crackers with different shapes (circles, squares, or sticks) around the charcuterie board is what makes it aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The fun fans & swirls of crackers draws people in. Large crackers are great for large meats & small crackers are great for those that like to nibble.
Theme
If you are hosting a party that focuses on a type of cuisine or holiday for example, use that as your starting point. Italian charcuterie boards with breadsticks, toasted crostini, & garlic crackers is perfect. For an Oktoberfest board go with hearty flavors like rye, wheat, & pretzel thins.
Ranking Factors
I ranked the cracker choices by a number of things. I went for overall appeal of taste & texture that many people would enjoy. I also made sure to include only crackers that were easy to find in stores or online.
Types of Crackers
It is fun to mix & match them with all the charcuterie board has to offer. Here are the top types of crackers to buy & display. I would aim for at minimum two types and up to 6 types for large boards. (see FAQ section about gluten-free offerings)
- Butter - flaky, crisp, & rich.
- Flavored - garlic, onion, cheese, etc.
- Herbed - colorful flakes of herbs like rosemary, parsley, basil etc.
- Multi-Grain - good texture & deep flavors.
- Nuts/Seeds - for color, texture, flavors, & fun variety like poppyseed, sesame seed, almond, etc.
- Rice - typically gluten-free with a touch of sweetness.
- Rye - firm & hearty cracker with bold strong flavors.
- Salty - a classic pairing that everyone loves.
- Water - though plain to some, this is the ideal cracker to accompany but not take away from other flavors.
- Whole Wheat - nutty flavor which stands up well even with hard cheeses.
- OTHER - pretzel crisps, flatbreads, pita chips, cheese crisps, cornbread, sourdough, vegetable, etc.
Top 10 Crackers for Charcuterie Boards
Here is the list of recommended brands & flavored crackers. Choose a variety & you will have the most delicious, crunchy, & pretty display.
1 - Water Crackers
These thin crispy classic Carr's Water Crackers are my favorite pick for charcuterie boards. Trust me, they may seem boring but they are not. This large round flaky cracker is the perfect mild-flavored cracker to go with anything & everything on a charcuterie board.
They are tough enough to withstand spreading on light dips & cheeses. Plus any sweet, spicy, savory, or salty items goes so well with them. I love a water cracker with some gorgonzola, thin prosciutto, slice of pear, & a drizzle of hot honey - OMG!
2 - Ritz Crackers
These buttery round Ritz Crackers compliment just about anything. They are easy to find in most stores and everyone will recognize them.
Serve with any hard or semi-soft cheese, all kinds of cured meats, & toppsings. Ritz topped with cheddar, ham, & apricot jam is my jam!Any buttery cracker such as Keebler Club Crackers or Trader Joe's, or Townhouse brands.
3 - Saltines
The classic flaky square Nabisco Premium Saltine Cracker is a favorite. It not only is popular & easily recognizable but it goes with literally just about anything you offer on your cheese board.
The classic cracker is good with any cured meats, smoked cheese or fish, & any fruit. If you have leftovers, crush them up to make the yummy crust for North Carolina Lemon Pie.
4 - Sourdough Flatbread Artisan Crackers
These crackers are often sold in long strips with pretty edges and may come plain or flavored. Rustic Bakery Sourdough Flatbread is great to offer as a large and different shaped item.
They are good for dipping in things as well as topping with long strips of meat like prosciutto. I love dipping these into ricotta & sprinkle on some seasoned salt.
5 - Pretzel Crisps
These fun flat Pretzel Crisp crackers are great for many reasons. They have a different shape, taste, & size than traditional crackers.
Pair with dips, cheddar cheeses, any kind of mustard, or honey. I love these with Trader's Joes Unexpected Cheddar & caramelized onions.
6 - Milton's Variety Pack
When in doubt, this is a 100% foolproof way to finish a charcuterie board. Three kinds of crackers has you covered. Milton's Crackers are sturdy for any spread, meat, or cheese.
Though they are all the same shape and size, the flavors and textures are a bit different. You get something seeded, one classic & salty, and another one that is multi-grain. Load them up with all your favorites.
7 - Fancy Crackers with Nuts & Fruits
If you want a fancy cracker with tons of flavor, Rustic Bakery Artisan Crisps are the way to go. They come in a variety of flavor combos including my favorite: pistachio, apricot, & brandy.
This cracker is amazing on its own with sweet, salty, & savory flavors. It is a great way to showcase a single cheese if you are on a picnic & want to pack minimal items.
8 - Triscuit Minis
With this one cracker you are hitting several of the factors that make it a good choice. They are small, whole wheat, & offer lots of texture. Bonus: they are vegan too incase you need that offering for guests.
The small but mighty Triscuit Minis are good with soft cheeses that spread easily & just love all the nooks and crannies. I love these with some herb Boursin & fresh pear slices.
9 - Pita Crackers
Fun triangle-shaped buttery crackers are another favorite. The unique shape & size adds to the pretty customization to your display. Do not use Pita Chips, crackers hold up better - trust me we learned the hard way.
TownHouse Pita Crackers are great for dipping and topping. Pair them with feta, hummus, & other Mediterranean favorites.
10 - Rosemary Thin Crisps
These beautiful thin round crackers have a lovely swirl design & scalloped edges. If you want fancy, this chip is #1 on the list. The savory earthy flavor is subtle & will not overpower any cheese.
34 Degrees Rosemary Crisps are very delicate. They are not made for dipping or spreads. Try with slices of havarti & a drizzle of jam.
How to Build the Perfect Charcuterie Board
Once you have all your favorite ingredients ready, time for the fun part. Be creative & think of it as a blank canvas. The food is your paint & start making something beautiful.
Follow these easy steps for making a charcuterie board all your guest will love. It is simple & takes less time than you think. Do not be intimidated, there is no wrong way to do it
FAQ
It will depend on the size of the cheese board and how many people it will feed. Aim for offering the same amount of crackers as you are cheese & meat. Therefore if you are offering 4 kinds of cheese, 4 kinds of crackers is what you want.
Each cracker offering should be 3-4 ounces per person for an appetizer. For a meal, offer 6-8 ounces of crackers per person.
The concept is an easy one to follow & remember. The recommendation is to offer 3 of each thing: 3 crackers/bread, 3 cheese, 3 meats, & 3 accompaniments (dips, fruit, olive, drizzles etc).
For smaller or larger boards follow the same equal ratio just simply multiply it. For two people or a small picnic size, 2 of each works. For a 100 person party, aim more for 8-10 of each.
Any starchy base is a great offering. I also recommend small toasted bread slices (crostini), slices of fresh baguette, breadsticks, pretzels, or try my recipe for homemade Italian savory cookies; black pepper taralli.
I recommend making charcuterie cups set aside for anyone with a gluten allergy. Guests will not only love the special attention but they are safe, yummy, & fun! Serve with my favorite gluten-free cracker: Simple Mills Seed Crackers.
Placement is important when creating a cheese board. Keep runny, oily, juicy, or moist items away from direct contact with crackers or breads. Arrange olives or fruits next to cheeses for example & place honey, jams, & dips in small bowls first.
Final Notes & Price Comparison
Now that you know my top 10 recommendations, I hope you found a few you will love too. Remember, there is no wrong way to make a cheese board or charcuterie platter.
Add what you like to eat & consider your guests. Then have fun & enjoy!
Here is a quick price comparison guide for ease in shopping. I hope this was helpful & let me know if you tried any crackers & what you thought. This list has been updated to insure all varieties are still easy to purchase and inexpensive.
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