Which Crackers Are Lowest in Carbs?

December 21, 2025 •

4 min read

With traditional wheat crackers packing up to 18 grams of net carbs per ounce, many on a low-carb diet seek out healthier alternatives. To find out which crackers are lowest in carbs, you need to look beyond the grocery store's standard offerings and consider options made from nut flours, seeds, and cheese.

Quick Summary

Several types of crackers, primarily made from seed blends, almond flour, or cheese, offer significantly lower carb counts than traditional varieties. Making them at home provides the most control over ingredients, while specific store-bought brands cater to low-carb lifestyles. Flaxseed and cheese crackers are often the lowest carb options.

Key Points

Seed-based crackers: Made from ingredients like flax and chia seeds, these are among the lowest-carb options available, especially homemade versions.
Almond flour crackers: Offer a low-carb, gluten-free alternative with a buttery taste and pleasing texture, easily customizable with spices.
Single-ingredient cheese crackers: For the absolute lowest carb count, baking thin slices of cheese yields a savory, crispy, and nearly zero-carb snack.
Homemade control: Making crackers at home allows for complete control over ingredients, ensuring the lowest possible net carb count and avoiding hidden additives.
Read labels carefully: Store-bought options vary widely; always check the nutritional label and net carb count to confirm a product fits your low-carb diet.
Understand net carbs: Focus on net carbs (total carbs minus fiber) to accurately assess the impact of crackers on a low-carb diet.

Understanding Low-Carb Crackers

For those following a ketogenic or low-carbohydrate diet, traditional grain-based crackers are off the table due to their high net carb content. The search for a satisfying crunch leads many to creative alternatives that replace wheat flour with low-carb binders. The lowest-carb crackers are typically made from a few key ingredients: various seeds, almond flour, or cheese alone. Each ingredient provides a unique texture and flavor profile while drastically reducing the carb count.

The Rise of Seed-Based Crackers

Seed crackers have emerged as a frontrunner for the lowest-carb option due to their nutritional profile. A mix of seeds like flax, chia, sunflower, and sesame, bound together with water or psyllium husk, can create incredibly crunchy and flavorful crackers with minimal net carbs. The high fiber content in seeds helps to offset the total carbs, resulting in a very low net carb snack. This category offers excellent versatility, as you can easily customize the seed blend and add herbs and spices for different flavor combinations. A key tip is to use a high proportion of ground flaxseed to help the mixture bind and crisp up effectively.

Almond Flour: A Versatile Low-Carb Base

Almond flour is another popular and versatile ingredient for creating low-carb crackers. Unlike wheat flour, almond flour is low in carbs and provides healthy fats, making it a staple in keto baking. Crackers made with almond flour often have a richer, buttery flavor and a delicate, satisfying crispness. Recipes typically combine almond flour with egg whites, spices, and sometimes a bit of cheese to create a pliable dough that can be rolled thin and baked. This approach is excellent for replicating the texture of classic crackers and serves as a neutral base for a variety of toppings.

The Simplest Option: Single-Ingredient Cheese Crackers

For an almost zero-carb cracker, you can look no further than thinly sliced cheese. A super-simple and highly effective method involves baking thin slices of cheese until they become crispy and golden. The result is a savory, crunchy cracker with virtually no carbs. This method is perfect for a quick, effortless snack and works well with various types of hard cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, or provolone. The key is to bake at a low temperature to avoid burning and allow them to cool completely to achieve maximum crispiness.

DIY Low-Carb Cracker Recipes

Making your own low-carb crackers at home is a straightforward process that guarantees you know exactly what goes into your snack. Here are a few simple recipes inspired by the search results.

Seed-Based Cracker Recipe

Combine ingredients: In a bowl, mix 1 cup ground flaxseed, ½ cup chia seeds, and ¼ cup sunflower seeds. Add 1 tsp of sea salt, 1 tsp onion powder, and ½ tsp garlic powder.
Form the dough: Add 1 cup of water and mix until a gel-like dough forms. Let it rest for 10 minutes to thicken.
Roll and bake: Spread the dough thinly between two sheets of parchment paper. Score into squares with a pizza cutter. Bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes, or until golden and crispy.

Almond Flour Cracker Recipe

Mix: Combine 1½ cups of super-fine almond flour, 2 large egg whites, and ¼ tsp xanthan gum in a bowl. Add seasonings like ¼ tsp garlic powder and salt to taste.
Roll and cut: Roll the dough between two pieces of parchment paper to your desired thinness. Cut into squares or circles.
Bake: Bake at 325°F for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.

Easy Cheese Cracker Recipe

Prep: Place thin slices of a hard cheese (like cheddar or parmesan) on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake: Bake at 250°F for about 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is crispy.
Cool: Allow to cool completely on the sheet before handling, as they will crisp up further.

Comparing Low-Carb Cracker Options


Cracker Type	Main Ingredients	Estimated Net Carbs per Serving (approx. 1 oz)	Notes
Homemade Flaxseed	Ground flaxseeds, water, seeds	<1-2g	High in fiber, very low net carbs, earthy flavor.
Homemade Almond Flour	Almond flour, egg whites, seasoning	~2-4g	Buttery flavor, good crunch, versatile base.
Single-Ingredient Cheese	Shredded or sliced hard cheese	<1g	Savory, almost zero carb, requires no mixing.
Store-Bought Keto (e.g., InnoFoods)	Nuts, seeds, lupin flour	Varies (check label)	Convenient, but can be pricier and may contain fillers.
Standard Wheat Cracker	Refined wheat flour	~18-20g	High in carbs and can quickly derail a low-carb diet.

Finding Store-Bought Low-Carb Crackers

While homemade crackers offer the most control, many health food stores and online retailers now carry a variety of low-carb options. When purchasing, it is crucial to read the nutritional label carefully, paying attention to the net carbs (total carbs minus fiber). Look for brands that use ingredients like almond flour, seed blends, or coconut flour. Some popular options include brands that focus on seed blends or keto-friendly ingredients, but always verify the ingredients and carb count to ensure they align with your dietary needs.

Conclusion: Making the Best Choice for You

Determining which crackers are lowest in carbs depends on your specific preferences for flavor and convenience. For the absolute lowest net carb count, single-ingredient cheese crackers are hard to beat. However, homemade flaxseed crackers offer an extremely low-carb, high-fiber, and delicious alternative, while almond flour crackers provide a more traditional taste and texture. By exploring these options, you can still enjoy a satisfying crunchy snack while adhering to your low-carb lifestyle. For more information on limiting carbs, consult sources like the Healthline guide on low-carb foods: 14 Foods to Avoid (or Limit) on a Low Carb Diet.

Note: Net carbs are calculated by subtracting the fiber content from the total carbohydrates. This is a crucial metric for those on a keto diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

While most homemade seed crackers, especially those based on flax and chia, are very low in net carbs, some commercial seed cracker blends may include high-carb starches or flours. Always check the ingredients and nutritional label to be sure.

Homemade versions typically have a more controlled and lower net carb count because you can precisely measure and combine your ingredients. Store-bought products, even keto ones, can vary and may contain different binders or fillers that slightly increase the carb total.

Homemade crackers should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. For maximum freshness and crispiness, consider a desiccant packet to absorb moisture. Cheese crackers should be stored in the refrigerator.

Yes, other low-carb flours like coconut flour or sunflower seed flour can be used, but they absorb liquid differently and may require recipe adjustments. Almond flour is a popular and reliable choice due to its texture and flavor.

For low-carb toppings, consider cream cheese, avocado spread, guacamole, cheese dips, or various kinds of nut butter. Using high-fat, low-carb spreads complements the cracker base effectively.

For the crispiest results, roll your dough as thinly and evenly as possible. Baking at a low and slow temperature and allowing the crackers to cool completely on a wire rack is also critical. Some recipes suggest a second, lower-temperature bake to dry them out further.

No. While sometimes considered crackers, standard corn tortillas and rice cakes are both high in carbohydrates. For example, a 1-ounce serving of tortilla chips can contain 18 grams of net carbs, making them unsuitable for most low-carb diets.