Best Healthy Animal Crackers Made from Scratch

Make snack time fun and healthy with these easy homemade animal crackers. Simple real ingredients, quick prep, and a deliciously wholesome treat your kids and toddlers will love!

These homemade animal crackers are a tasty, wholesome snack perfect for toddlers and kids. As a mom, recipe developer, and integrative nutrition health coach, I created this recipe to provide an unprocessed alternative to store-bought animal crackers (aka animal cookies). Featuring minimal ingredients, a straightforward method, and pleasant taste, these crackers are ideal for busy parents who want nutritious, fun-shaped treats without added preservatives or artificial flavors.

Why You’ll Love This Animal Cracker Recipe

• Wholesome and Natural: Only clean, real-food ingredients.
• Quick and Simple: Ingredients are combined rather quickly and the dough is ready in about 15 minutes.
• Fun Shapes: Animal shapes encourage healthier snacking habits. Great for packing in the lunch-box as snack.
• Easily Customizable: Adaptable by adding the flavor you like. Cinnamon and vanilla gives them the perfect flavor combination.

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Ingredients (And Why I Chose Them)

• Frozen Salted Butter: Using frozen butter is key for achieving a perfect crumbly and flaky texture, ideal for crackers.
• Maple Granulated Sugar: Provides natural sweetness with fewer negative health impacts compared to refined sugars.
• Applesauce: Adds moisture naturally while minimizing added sugar.
• Einkorn Flour (white and whole wheat): Einkorn flour is nutrient-rich, lower in gluten, and easier on digestion, making it excellent for toddlers.
• Flax Meal: Adds beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and aids digestion.
• Vanilla and Cinnamon: Add gentle, natural flavor appealing to kids, making the crackers taste great without artificial additives.

How To Make Healthy Homemade Animal Crackers

Preparation:

1. Freeze the Butter: Ensure your butter is frozen solid ( place it in the freezer at least 1 hour before baking). Cut it into small cubes.

Making the Dough:

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a food processor, blend both einkorn flours, flax meal, maple sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
2. Add Frozen Butter: Add butter cubes and pulse until the texture resembles coarse sand.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Add applesauce and vanilla extract. Process until the dough becomes crumbly and begins to clump together slightly.
4. Check Dough Consistency: Test dough by squeezing a small amount in your hand. It should stick together but not be overly wet. Adjust with additional flour or applesauce if necessary.

Dough Chilling and Rolling:

1. Chill Dough: Divide dough into two equal portions. Shape each into a flattened disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps firm the dough and prevents sticking during rolling.

Rolling the Dough: Remove one dough disc at a time. Roll it between parchment paper (bottom) and plastic wrap (top) to prevent sticking. Aim for a uniform thickness of about 1/8 inch for crispy crackers.

Cutting and Baking:

1. Cut into Animal Shapes: Use animal-shaped cookie cutters, pressing firmly to cut shapes neatly. Gather scraps, re-roll, and cut more shapes.
2. Bake: Place crackers on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 13-15 minutes, watching closely toward the end to avoid burning. Adjust the timing( it depends on the oven, the thickness and the size of the crackers). When done the crackers should be lightly golden.

Cooling:

• Allow crackers to cool completely on a wire rack before serving or storing to maintain crispness.

Customization Options:

• Sugar-free: Replace maple sugar with monk fruit, xylitol or sweetener of your preference.
• Dairy-free: Substitute butter with dairy free butter like Miyoko’s.
• Gluten-free: Choose a gluten-free flour blend instead of einkorn flour.

Pairing Suggestions:

• Serve animal crackers alongside homemade fruit purée, yogurt, or nut butter for added protein and healthy fats.
• Pair with freshly sliced fruits or veggies for a balanced, nutritious snack.

Healthy Swaps:

• For lighter crackers, use only white einkorn flour (or regular organic all-purpose flour).
• Chia seeds can substitute flax meal, providing similar nutritional benefits.

Storage and Meal Prep Tips:

• Store baked crackers in an airtight container for up to one week.
• Prepare dough ahead of time and freeze in portions. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling and baking.

Did You Make This Recipe?

I’d love to hear how your crackers turned out! Share your feedback below, post your photos, and tag @ThrivingNest on social media. Your experiences help me improve and inspire others to try wholesome recipes!

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