Sweet Potato Crackers

Reasons to Love These Sweet Potato Crackers 

There are plenty of reasons to love these sweet potato crackers:

They are made with wholesome, simple ingredients, making them a nutritious option for babies, toddlers, and the whole family. The sweet potato adds natural sweetness, vitamins, and a lovely colour, making the crackers both healthy and visually appealing.

They are versatile and can be customised to suit your family’s tastes with sweet or savoury variations, herbs, or spices. The crackers are baked, not fried, which makes them a healthier snack option compared to store-bought alternatives.

They are perfect for little hands and make an excellent teething snack for babies or a crunchy treat for older kids and adults. Homemade crackers are free from preservatives, artificial additives, or excess salt, giving you peace of mind about what you’re serving your family.

They are easy to make, requiring just a handful of ingredients and simple steps, making this recipe perfect for beginners. The crackers are ideal for meal prep as they store well, so you can make a batch ahead of time for convenient snacking throughout the week.

They’re a fun and interactive recipe to make with children, allowing them to help roll the dough and cut out shapes. Whether you’re serving them on their own or pairing them with dips, spreads, or cheese, these crackers are a satisfying snack for any time of day!

Sweet Potato Crackers Recipe 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sweet potato purée.
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour.
• ⅓ cup grated cheese.
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted.
• ½ teaspoon baking powder.

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 175°C.

2. Combine the Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, add the sweet potato purée, flour, grated cheese, melted butter, and baking powder. Use a fork to gently combine the ingredients until the mixture begins to form a rough dough.

3. Knead the Dough: Once the mixture is somewhat combined, use your hands to knead the dough in the bowl until it forms a cohesive ball. If the dough feels too sticky, sprinkle a little extra flour, a tablespoon at a time, until it is smooth and no longer sticks to your hands.

4. Roll Out the Dough: Place the dough onto a sheet of parchment paper. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out thinly—around 2-3 mm thick. (The thinner the dough, the crispier the crackers will be.)

5. Cut into Shapes: Use a sharp knife, a pizza cutter, or small cookie cutters to slice the dough into desired shapes (e.g., squares, rectangles, or fun shapes for kids). Use a fork to lightly prick each cracker. This will help prevent the crackers from puffing up while baking.

6. Transfer to Baking Sheet: Carefully transfer the parchment paper, with the cut crackers, onto the baking sheet.

7. Bake the Crackers: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crackers are firm and lightly golden. Flip each cracker over and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the crackers are crisp and golden brown around the edges.

8. Cool and Serve: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the crackers to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, they’re ready to serve!

Tips For Success 

Here are some helpful tips to ensure your sweet potato crackers turn out perfectly:

Preparation Tips

• If using whole wheat or other flours (like oat or spelt), you may need to adjust the quantity slightly. Add small amounts at a time until the dough forms. 

• Roll the dough as thin as possible for crispier crackers. Aim for 2 mm thickness. If the dough sticks to the rolling pin, lightly dust the surface and rolling pin with flour. 

• Don’t skip pricking the crackers with a fork! This ensures they bake evenly and don’t puff up in the oven.

Baking Tips

• Keep an eye on the crackers during the second half of baking.
• Thinner crackers may bake faster, and you don’t want them to burn. 

• Flip the crackers carefully to avoid breaking them, especially if they’re very thin. Look for golden brown edges and a firm texture as signs that the crackers are ready. They’ll crisp up further as they cool.

Recipe Substitutions and Additions 

Here are some substitution and addition ideas to customise your sweet potato crackers:

For the flour, you can replace all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrition, or use gluten-free options like oat flour or almond flour for a gluten-free version. Adjust the quantity slightly as alternative flours absorb moisture differently.

If you want a dairy-free version, you can replace the grated cheese with a plant-based cheese alternative or leave it out entirely for a plainer cracker. The unsalted butter can be substituted with coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute.

For a sweeter take on the crackers, you can add a teaspoon of honey, maple syrup, or mashed banana to the dough. Adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg will also enhance the natural sweetness of the sweet potato.

To create savoury variations, try adding a teaspoon of dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano. Garlic powder, onion powder, or smoked paprika can also give the crackers a more robust flavour.

For extra texture, you can mix in seeds like sesame, flax, or chia into the dough before rolling it out.

Serving suggestions 

For Babies (8-12 months): Serve the crackers as a soft, bite-sized finger food for babies starting solids. To make them easier to chew, lightly crush or break them into smaller pieces. Pair with mashed avocado or unsweetened yogurt for added flavor and nutrients.

For Toddlers (1-3 years): Offer the crackers as a fun snack, perfect for dipping into hummus, apple sauce, or cream cheese. You can also top them with a thin layer of nut butter or a small slice of cheese for extra protein and flavor.

For Older kids & Adults: Serve these crackers alongside a variety of dips, such as guacamole, salsa, or yogurt-based dips. They make a perfect addition to a lunchbox or a family snack platter, and even pair well with a simple salad or soup for a wholesome meal.

How to Store

To store the sweet potato crackers properly and keep them fresh:

Allow the crackers to cool completely on a wire rack before storing. Any warmth can cause moisture to form, making the crackers lose their crispness.

Once cooled, place the crackers in an airtight container or a resealable bag. Ensure the container is fully sealed to keep out air and moisture.

Store the crackers at room temperature in a cool, dry place. They will stay fresh for up to one week.

If the crackers begin to lose their crunch, you can re-crisp them by placing them in a low oven at 150°C for a few minutes. Let them cool completely again before returning them to storage.

For longer storage, you can freeze the crackers. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Thaw at room temperature and re-crisp in the oven if needed.

Nutrition 

Suitable for 8 months +

Each serving of sweet potato crackers provides approximately:

• CALORIES: 32KCAL
• CARBOHYDRATES: 4G 
• PROTEIN: 1G 
• FAT: 1.5G
• SODIUM: 20MG
• POTASSIUM: 18MG
• FIBRE: 0.3G
• SUGAR: 0.2G
• VITAMIN A: 520IU
• VITAMIN C: 0.3MG
• CALCIUM: 10MG 
• IRON: 0.3MG