What are soda crackers used for? Culinary and comfort uses explained

January 10, 2026 •

3 min read

Over 60% of consumers use saltines—the common term for soda crackers—for snacking, but their uses extend far beyond a simple munch. So, what are soda crackers used for in the kitchen and beyond? Their dry, bland, and crispy nature makes them an incredibly versatile pantry staple for everything from calming an upset stomach to serving as a key ingredient in dessert.

Quick Summary

Soda crackers, also known as saltines, are versatile pantry items used for soothing digestive issues like nausea, acting as a soup and salad topping, and as a base for appetizers with various spreads and cheeses. Their mild flavor makes them a great ingredient for binding agents in recipes and for creating crispy crusts in baked goods.

Key Points

Soothes Upset Stomachs: The bland, dry nature helps absorb stomach acid, making them a common remedy for nausea, morning sickness, and digestive upset.
Versatile Culinary Ingredient: Crushed soda crackers act as an effective binder in meatloaf, meatballs, and crabcakes, and can create crispy toppings for casseroles.
Base for Appetizers: Their neutral flavor and sturdy structure make them an ideal base for cheeses, spreads, dips, and other savory toppings.
Soup and Salad Garnish: Crumbled crackers add a satisfying crunchy texture to a variety of soups, stews, and salads.
Used in Baking and Desserts: Crushed crackers can be used to form unique pie crusts or as a key ingredient in recipes like cracker toffee.
Substitute for Bread: With their long shelf life, they serve as a simple, shelf-stable substitute for bread, paired with items like tuna salad.
Shelf-Stable Emergency Food: Their long shelf life makes them a reliable staple for emergency kits and food storage.
Distinction from Saltines: While often used synonymously, traditional soda crackers can have different fermentation processes and textures than standard saltines, depending on the brand.

Soothing Upset Stomachs and Nausea

One of the most well-known uses for soda crackers is as a home remedy for digestive issues. Their bland, dry, and starchy properties help absorb excess stomach acid and can settle a queasy stomach. They are a classic recommendation for dealing with morning sickness during pregnancy, general nausea, or for those recovering from an illness. The dry texture is also less likely to trigger more nausea, and the salt content can help replace lost electrolytes. When using crackers for an upset stomach, it's best to eat them plain and in small amounts throughout the day.

Culinary Applications: A Versatile Ingredient

Soda crackers' neutral flavor and crisp texture make them a secret weapon in many culinary creations. They can be used as a simple base or a primary ingredient to add texture and substance to a dish.

Binders and Thickeners

Crushed soda crackers are an excellent binding agent, effectively holding ingredients together in various recipes.

Meatloaf and Meatballs: Substituting breadcrumbs with crushed crackers adds a subtle saltiness and helps create a firm, moist texture.
Crabcakes: The crackers bind the crab meat without overpowering its delicate flavor.
Casseroles: Crushed crackers can serve as a binder in squash, scalloped corn, and other hearty casseroles.

Toppings and Crusts

The crispy texture of soda crackers makes them ideal for crunchy toppings and creative crusts.

Soup and Chili Topping: Crumbled crackers are a classic garnish for soups, stews, and chili, adding a salty crunch.
Pie Crusts: Crushed crackers can be used as a base for no-bake pies, such as the famous Atlantic Beach pie, offering a unique flavor profile.
Baked Dishes: A cracker topping can add a golden, crunchy layer to casseroles and other baked dishes.

Bases for Snacks and Appetizers

Their flat, sturdy shape and mild taste make soda crackers the perfect canvas for a wide range of toppings.

With Cheese and Spreads: Pair them with slices of cheese, cream cheese, peanut butter, hummus, or pimiento cheese.
Appetizer Base: Top them with anything from tuna salad to dips for a quick and satisfying appetizer.
Simple Snack: On their own, they are a satisfyingly crunchy snack, sometimes topped with just a pat of butter or a smear of jam.

Comparison: Soda Crackers vs. Other Crackers

While often used interchangeably, different types of crackers have unique properties that lend themselves to specific uses.


Cracker Type	Key Characteristics	Common Uses
Soda Crackers / Saltines	Thin, porous, crispy, neutral, and slightly salty. Often have a coarse salt topping.	Calming upset stomachs, base for soups, cheese platters, appetizer base.
Club Crackers	Thicker, richer, and more buttery than saltines, with a flaky texture.	Eaten alone, with dips, or in sandwiches.
Oyster Crackers	Small, round, and crunchy.	Exclusively used as a topping for soups and stews.
Whole Wheat Crackers	Made with whole wheat flour, darker color, and coarser texture.	Healthier alternative for snacking, paired with dips like hummus.

Practical Use Cases and Recipes

Beyond the basics, soda crackers can be the star of some creative dishes.

Cracker Candy: A popular recipe involves layering saltines on a baking sheet, covering them with a toffee mixture, and topping with chocolate chips. After baking and cooling, it breaks into a crunchy, sweet, and salty treat.
"Fire Crackers" or Seasoned Crackers: A simple recipe involves coating crackers in a mixture of oil, red pepper flakes, and other seasonings, then baking them for a spicy, addictive snack.
Bread Substitute: Due to their long shelf life and simple flavor, they can be used as a bread substitute, for example, with tuna salad or ham.

Conclusion

From a simple, palate-cleansing cracker to a vital ingredient in complex recipes, the uses for soda crackers are surprisingly diverse. Their mild flavor profile and crispy texture allow them to adapt to nearly any culinary role, whether providing comfort during sickness, adding a crunch to a bowl of soup, or becoming the foundation for a delicious dessert. By appreciating their versatility, you can transform this humble pantry staple into a powerful culinary tool, making it clear why soda crackers have been a household favorite for generations. Understanding what soda crackers are used for empowers you to make the most of this simple, yet essential, item in your kitchen.

Check out more recipes and culinary tips to utilize your soda crackers.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary ingredients in soda crackers are typically white flour, water, and baking soda. Some recipes and brands also include yeast and fat to enhance flavor and texture.

Yes, soda crackers are a classic remedy for nausea, including morning sickness. Their dry, starchy nature can absorb excess stomach acid and their bland flavor is less likely to trigger further queasiness.

For most everyday purposes, the terms are used interchangeably. Historically, some traditional soda crackers used a longer fermentation process, while commercial saltines used a quicker one. Today, 'saltine' is the more common generic term in the U.S. for this type of cracker.

Soda crackers are used in recipes in several ways. They can be crushed to act as a binder in meatloaf or meatballs, provide a crunchy topping for casseroles, or form a base for pie crusts.

While low in fat and calories, traditional soda crackers are high in refined carbohydrates and sodium, and low in fiber. They are best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, and whole-wheat or low-sodium versions can be a healthier choice.

The holes in soda crackers, known as 'docking holes,' serve a crucial purpose during baking. They allow steam to escape, which prevents the crackers from puffing up and ensures they remain flat, thin, and crisp.

Beyond classic cheese, creative toppings include tuna salad, peanut butter, cream cheese with a drizzle of A-1 sauce, hummus, and even fruit spreads like jam or honey.