Spelt Crackers

Spelt crackers are a crunchy and healthy snack, perfect to pair with cheeses or spreads, or simply as a light nibble. Here’s a basic recipe that you can customize to your liking with aromatic herbs or spices.

Ingredients

• 200g of spelt flour
• 50g of oat flakes (optional for a different texture)
• 50 ml of extra virgin olive oil
• 100 ml of water
• 1 teaspoon of fine salt
• 1 teaspoon of sugar (optional, it balances the taste)
• Various seeds to taste (sesame, flax, sunflower, etc., optional)
• Aromatic herbs or spices to taste (rosemary, thyme, chili powder, etc., optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix the spelt flour with the oat flakes, salt, and sugar if you are using it.
3. Add the olive oil and water, and begin to knead until you have a homogeneous mixture. If you have decided to use seeds or herbs, add them to the mixture.
4. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface, try to get a thin layer for crisper crackers.
5. With a pastry cutter or a sharp knife, cut the dough into rectangles or other shapes to your liking.
6. Transfer the crackers onto the prepared baking sheet, you can prick them lightly with a fork to prevent them from puffing up during baking.
7. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the crackers are golden and crispy.
8. Let them cool completely before serving; they store well in an airtight container for a few days.

If you want an Italian twist, you could add dried oregano and perhaps a pinch of garlic powder to recreate the taste of pizza. Remember that you can vary this basic recipe by adding the herbs or seeds you like to personalize the flavor of your spelt crackers.

Curiosity

Spelt is an ancient grain, highly valued in the Roman diet and now back in the spotlight for its superior nutritional properties compared to modern wheat. It indeed contains more protein, fiber, and minerals.