If your kids love Goldfish crackers, here is why you need to ditch the store-bought Goldfish and start making your own. Recipe included. This super easy and quick goldfish cracker recipe is fun to make with kids.
Raise your hand if your child is a fan of Goldfish Crackers. Ours too. They were not introduced to Goldfish at home but they were introduced to it in pre-school. Too bad huh!!! Why, you ask? You are probably wondering what is wrong with those cute little fish crackers that almost every child loves? That is exactly what this post is all about. Hopefully, after reading this post you will throw away your stash of Goldfish and start making your own. This Goldfish crackers Recipe is super easy to make.
Did you know that in 2013, a lawsuit (hyperlinked) was for filed against the makers of Goldfish, Pepperidge Farm for misleading consumers by using the word 'Natural' when the product contains GMOs. The sad part is that not many people were aware of this.
Although the packaging looks very different today, the ingredients haven't changed much. Let's go through some of the red flag ingredients.
- Unbleached Enriched Wheat Flour [Flour Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin, Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Folic Acid] - Agreed the flour is enriched with Vitamins, but the flour is refined which is why is the fiber content is less than 1 gram. Barely anything, isn't it? Even if you look at the whole grain version of Goldfish, it still contributes to only 2 grams of fiber.
- Vegetable oils (Canola, Sunflower and/or Soybean) - It's not like the name suggests. These vegetable oils are GMO oils and read more about why these oils are not healthy, here. GMO's are banned in many other countries but seems like the lobbyists are working too hard make sure that doesn't happen in the USA.
- Salt - A serving of Goldfish is 55 pieces. The sodium content for the little kids is pretty high about 230-250 mg.
- Autolyzed Yeast is a form of MSG. It is used a flavor enhancer. MSG is known to be a silent killer in our kitchens ( read the hyperlink) which makes our processed, canned and frozen foods taste better, feel fresher and smell better.
Coming to rainbow-colored Goldfish, please, please, please do not buy the rainbow-colored Goldfish as they are the worst amongst all, given the fact that they are loaded with artificial colors like Blue 2, Red 40, Red 3, and Blue 1.
3 Ingredient Simple Goldfish Crackers Recipe
Honestly, none of this sounds like something you want to feed your child in the form of crackers right? In fact you will be surprised at how short the ingredient list of homemade Goldfish crackers is compared to the store bought. So get ready to toss your store-bought Goldfish and start making your own. It's super easy the best part is to involve your kids and make it a fun activity. The kids love it.
Flavored Goldfish Cracker
This goldfish cracker recipe is delicious, kid (read many kids) approved and has only 3 ingredients. Let your imagination run wild and flavor it with herbs & spices for extra flavors! There is no doubt that these homemade goldfish make a perfect homemade snack for your little ones who love snacking on Goldfish. Serve it during playdates, pack them up for your travel. We are sure your kids don't need a reason to have Goldfish. Super easy and delicious. Once you make these, you won't buy Goldfish again:D
When you try this recipe and make these Goldfish don't forget to tag use the hashtag #TBRTM on Instagram or tag as @dbellyrulesdmind. If you like this recipe, you might also like our Whole Wheat Crackers flavored with dried herbs also knows as Mathri or the Pizza Flavored Crackers also known as Namak Pare. Mind you these are all baked.
Home-made Goldfish cheese cracker
Ingredients
Goldfish Crackers
- 1 cup unbleached & unbromated whole wheat flour
- 1 cup 75% reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 4 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoon water
For Goldfish Cookie Cutter
- Aluminium Soda or Beer Can
- Packing tape or staples
Instructions
To make Goldfish Cookie Cutter
- Don't worry you don't have to buy a goldfish cookie cutter. You can make your own at home :D We made ours with an aluminum can and it took us a few minutes to make 2 of them so easy.We cut a thin strip of the aluminum can and formed our fishy, then taped the edges together with clear packing tape. It was so much fun :D
For Goldfish Crackers
- Preheat oven at 350 F.
- Add in all the ingredients except water in your kitchen aid and knead until you get a course mixture. Add in the cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough turns in a ball.
- You’ll be able to press it into a ball with your hands. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 or so minutes.
- Roll & flatten the dough out to 3mm (1/8 in) thickness. The thinner the crispier.
- Cut out shapes with your choice of cookies cutters and transfer to baking tray.
- Gather all the trimmings and re-roll. Repeat until all the dough is used up.
- You can make them any size or shape you want, really but whats a cheese cracker that does not look like goldfish .
- Bake for approximately 15-17 minutes, until the crackers are crispy and golden around edges.
- Timing will vary according to size and shape of your crackers.
- Cool for 10 minutes on baking tray before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
If you need flavored Goldfish Crackers, you can add the herbs that you like.
Joy says
Hi. This looks great! I don’t have a machine for kneading. Couldn’t do this by hand?
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Joy, yes you can knead the dough with your hands too :)
Vaishali says
Hi, which brand of sharp cheddar did you use? I can’t find sharp cheddar with 75% fat content. I have electric grain mill too, what type of wheat do you use here in USA for this recipe and for roti /chapati? Thank you!
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Vaishali, there are many brand , kraft, tillamook , good and gather. Hope this helps.
Poonu says
Instead of cheddar cheese ,can I use other cheese
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Pooja, the sharp taste will only come if using cheddar cheese.
Rose says
Wow.great recipe.surely gonna try this.how long can I store this?
The belly rules the mind says
A week or so, that is if they last ?
Veena P says
Which brand of whole wheat is good? I am new here. Please help me! TIA.
Soniya Saluja says
We love milling our own whole wheat at home
With this https://amzn.to/2WLTTkw .if you want to buy readymade I would suggest Royal brand or aashirwad
brahamjade says
I'm falling in love with your recipes! This one looks amazing and so much fun to prepare! Again I'm going to have to try it out! Also it is great that it is healthy - that way I won't feel so guilty! LOVE IT!!
Dolly says
Can we replace cheddar cheese with paneer?
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Dolly, Thanks for showing interest in this recipe, but no you cannot replace cheese with paneer.If you want to omit cheese try our Mathri recipe. Hope this helps!
Jyoti says
Thank you for the great recipe. Surely a great idea to engage kids too.!
Could you also mention in your recipes how much the batch yields.
Meaning.. what quantity of gold fish (say by a certain jar volume or weight or numbers) does the recipe yield?
Thanks a bunch for sharing a preservative free recipe :)
alex says
This is so good, this will be a huge hit!
maynard says
You had me at healthy and delicious!
jomary says
Everyone can dig right in!!
jericko says
I just love everything about this!
janine says
Wow! This one's a winner
jane says
My boys would both probably DIG this!
romeo says
This looks so delightful and tasty
Ruchisvegkitchen says
It's amazing.. Homemade is always best.. love the post..
Sonal says
This is brilliant and thanks for the info.
Anna Jo says
Oh my, it's so sad about the ingredients :(
I'd rather make them, especially since it looks so fun to make!
Our Mini Family (@ourminifamily) says
Looks so tasty! I'd love to give this a try!
HealthierSteps (@Healthiersteps) says
I'm shocked that Goldfish crackers have those terrible ingredients, so happy you shared an alternative recipe
Patricia Conte says
I have to admit, I sometimes indulge in Goldfish crackers for myself (no kiddos in the house, even)! This is too bad to read about the ingredients -- yuck! I love this recipe and LOVE that you made your own little cut outs -- so clever! I'm definitely trying this!
Kerri Wigle says
These looks easy and so yummy! Thank you
Annie says
I didn't realize how many bad ingredients were in Goldfish crackers... It makes me sad since I love them! Thanks for sharing the tips! Your version is absolutely cute, and love that it only contains the good stuff!!
xoxo
Annie
evalangston says
I have a 14-month-old who LOVES crackers, so I really want to try this. I'm going to be honest, I'm probably not going to make the goldfish cookie cutter, but yours are really adorable. :-)
Amanda says
So great that you found a healthier alternative to goldfish crackers! These look fun and easy to make, and I bet your kiddos loved the process too!!
Jenni says
I feel so much better sharing a dish with my family when I have control over the ingredients like this. Bye processed crackers!
Morgan says
Why have I NEVER thought about making my own?! I’m going to be making these ASAP!
Soniya Saluja says
awesome