There are tons of different cracker varieties out there that you can use to build out your charcuterie board! For an average-sized gathering, pick at least 2-3 crackers of different taste and texture. Below I’ll outline the 7 Best Crackers for Charcuterie Boards that you can mix and match to create the perfect offering for your guests (along with pairing & brand suggestions for each!). I’ll also detail the process I use to help me build out a cohesive charcuterie board. Read more below!
Buttery and Flaky crackers like Ritz, for example, are a classic charcuterie offering and a staple in many households. They’re super light and sort of melt in your mouth. Unless I’m assembling a charcuterie offering, I actually try NOT to keep Ritz in my house because I can eat through an entire sleeve in a single sitting. One thing to note, though, is that these crackers do not make for great dippers as they are fragile and break apart easily. Even spreading a dip or jam across them is difficult for this reason. That being said, they make a great base for pre-cut cheeses and meats.
What to buy: Ritz, Townhouse Original Crackers, Keebler Original Club Crackers
Pairing Ideas: Crackers like Ritz can go with just about anything. You can keep it classic with pepperoni and cubed cheddar, or you can pipe on some sour cream and top with chives, for example. As mentioned above, they tend to break easily in dips, so serve them with pre-cut meats and cheeses or as the base of an appetizer. If you want to get more creative, reference articles like this one for creative ways to use Ritz Crackers in an appetizer!
Multigrain crackers provide a great crunch to your charcuterie board because they’re nutty and seedy in texture. They’ve also got a little sweetness to them, which pairs nicely with the salty meats, cheeses, and dips you may serve alongside them. They also tend to be higher in fiber, though this is highly dependent on which brand of crackers you buy.
What to buy: There are lots of multigrain options that come in different shapes, sizes, and textures. Some include including Breton’s Multigrain Crackers, Firehook Multigrain Flax Crackers, and Back to Nature Multigrain Crackers.
Pairing Ideas: Some pairing suggestions for multigrain crackers include raspberry jam, sharp cheddar cheese, pepper jelly, grainy mustard, and cornichons.
Shredded wheat crackers like Triscuits are super hearty and full of texture, making them a great addition to a charcuterie board. They are sturdy crackers that make great dippers, too. Triscuit makes a ton of cracker varieties, including their classic cracker (in endless flavors!), mini versions, “thins”, and a reduced fat option. Personally, I like to keep my cracker choices quite simple flavor-wise, so I opt for either the classic Sea Salt or my favorite – the Cracked Pepper and Olive Oil.
What to buy: Triscuits (duh), just be sure you’re choosing a flavor type that jives well with the rest of the items on your board.
Pairing Ideas: Triscuits are another neutral cracker that can be used for just about anything – they’ll give a nice crunch with any meat, cheese, or dip of your choice. Like Ritz, they also make a great base for an appetizer. You can pair them with some smoked salmon, cream cheese, and dill for example. There are actually a ton of different Triscuit recipes online – find 20 of them here for inspiration!
Crostini are a great addition to any charcuterie board, and you don’t have to make them from scratch! There are lots of pre-made options you can buy that go by a variety of different names (Crostini Crackers, Bagel Chips, Bagel Crisps, etc) which all sound different, but are more or less the same. These are another type of cracker that, depending on the brand you buy, will have a different bite to them. Stacy’s Bagel Chips, for example, are super dense and crunchy. Stonewall’s Crostini Toasts, however, are crispy and airy.
What to buy: Stacy’s Bagel Chips, Stonewall’s Crostini Toasts, New York Bagel Crisps
Pairing Ideas: Crostini works on any charcuterie board, but I like to pair them with classic offerings like brie, proscuitto, green grapes and an olive tapenade.
Pita crackers are another thick, dense, and versatile cracker that can be used with just about anything. They go perfectly on Mediterranean-themed boards that include fresh dips, cheeses, fruits, and veggies. Town House makes a few different pita crackers, including their classic sea salt, Mediterranean Herb, and Everything seasoned. Stacy’s also makes Pita Chips in several flavors which would also work well as a dipper.
What to buy: Town House Pita Crackers, Stacy’s Pita Chips, Ritz Toasted Pita Crackers
Pairing Ideas: As mentioned above, I always think of pairing Pita chips with a Mediterranean-themed board. I’d serve them with tzatziki, hummus, tabbouleh, feta chunks, marinated mozzarella pearls, pepperoncini, etc. You get the drift. Mediterranean food means lots of things, and therefore leaves you with lots of options!
This is a highly specific recommendation, but the Cracked Pepper Table Water Crackers by Carrs are the best. These are the type of crackers that aren’t as salty and flavorful as others but are somehow still super addicting. The cracked black pepper adds the perfect amount of spice to each bite.
What to buy: Carr’s Table Water Crackers (Cracked Pepper) or its knockoff 365 Whole Foods Market Cracked Pepper Water Crackers
Pairing Ideas: I love pairing these with soft, spreadable cheeses like Pimento cheese and Boursin Cheese. I also love them with some hot honey, too.
I love Pretzel chips because they make a great pairing for both sweet and savory foods. Pretzel chips are not only a salty compliment to chocolate, for example, they’re also great dippers for cheesy dips or smoky cheese. Snack Factory’s Pretzel Crisps are some of the most popular pretzel chips and come in a variety of different flavors.
What to buy: Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps
Pairing Ideas: Chocolate, Fruit Dip, and fresh berries OR Beer Cheese Dip and/or Smoked Gouda
Now that you know the 7 Best Crackers for Charcuterie Boards, you can determine which meats, cheeses, and more to pair them with! Read below for my step-by-step process for building out an amazing charcuterie offering.
Need help building out your board? I got you. See below my other articles!
