Our First Attempt at Homemade Goldfish Crackers: A Delicious Success!

🐟✨ Not quite the classic goldfish look—but 100% goldfish flavor!

In our home, the toddlers are snackers hardcore snackers. From sun-up to sundown, they’re always on the hunt for something to munch on. So lately, we’ve been slowly transitioning into making more homemade snacks both to cut down on unnecessary additives and to know exactly what’s going into the food they’re eating. This week’s experiment? Homemade goldfish crackers using a recipe from Girl Versus Dough.

Let’s be honest they definitely don’t look like goldfish. But one bite in, and the verdict was clear: the flavor is absolutely AMAZING.

At first, our little ones were hesitant. Without that familiar fishy shape, they weren’t sure what to make of them. But as soon as they tasted one, they were sold. These cheesy little bites are now a household hit, and we may never go back to the store-bought box again.

Why We Love This Recipe:

• Incredible Flavor: Sharp cheddar, butter, and just the right hint of seasoning make for a bold, savory cracker that puts the store-bought kind to shame.

• Simple, Clean Ingredients: Only 6 ingredients sharp cheddar (We used left over shredded Mexican blend), unsalted butter, flour, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. No preservatives, no fillers, no mystery stuff.

• Always On Hand: These ingredients are pantry staples in most households, which makes whipping up a batch simple and spontaneous.

• Fun for the Whole Family: The process is easy enough for little helpers to join in (cookie cutters, anyone?), making it a fun afternoon kitchen adventure. We scored the cookie cutter online!

  
  

  

  🧀 All systems go for snack time!

  
  

Recipe Overview:

1. Make the Dough: In a food processor, pulse together:

   • 6 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese

   • 4 Tbsp cold unsalted butter (cubed)

   • ¾ cup all-purpose flour

   • ½ tsp salt

   • ¼ tsp garlic powder

   • ¼ tsp onion powderBlend until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Then, slowly add 1 Tbsp cold water until the dough comes together.
     

2. Chill: Form the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 20+ minutes.
   

3. Roll & Cut: Roll the dough to about ¼" thick. Cut into shapes using small cookie cutters. (We didn’t have a goldfish cutter, so we went rogue with fun random shapes!) Poke each with a toothpick if you want to prevent puffing.
   

4. Bake: Bake at 350°F for 11–13 minutes, or until puffed and golden.
   

5. Cool & Store: Let them cool on the baking sheet. Store in an airtight container for up to a week though they may not last that long!
   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   
   
   

Final Thoughts:

For a first try, we’re calling this a win. Our homemade goldfish crackers may be wonky in shape, but they’ve won over our toughest snack critics (a.k.a. the toddlers). The taste is bold, fresh, and nostalgic and knowing exactly what’s in them brings peace of mind.

Whether you're trying to reduce processed snacks, make fun memories with your kids, or just enjoy a seriously tasty cracker, we highly recommend this recipe.

👉 Want to try it for yourself? Check out the full recipe on Girl Versus Dough.