Parmesan Sourdough Discard Crackers: Crispy Homemade Snack

Crisp, cheesy, and perfectly tangy, these homemade sourdough Parmesan crackers prove that from-scratch cheese crackers are far better than anything from a box. The dough comes together quickly, bakes into light, snappy crackers, and makes an easy snack for wine nights, cheese boards, or casual nibbling.

Basket with homemade seeded crackers on white cloth, herbs in background.

Here’s Why This Parmesan Sourdough Cracker Recipe Works

Simple, one-bowl mixing: Everything combines in one bowl, so cleanup is minimal and the crackers are quick to prep.

Sourdough starter for flavor and texture: Using active starter or discard gives the crackers a crisp, airy texture and a pleasant, tangy note you won’t get with commercial crackers.

Thin, even rolling for maximum crunch: Rolling the dough very thin ensures the crackers bake up snappy and light.

Cheese inside and on top: Parmesan folded into the dough seasons every bite, while an extra sprinkle on top before baking creates a salty, golden finish.

Ingredients used to make homemade crackers.

Recipe Tips

Roll it thinner than you think: About 1/16 inch is ideal for the crispiest crackers with a satisfying snap.

Watch the color, not the clock: Pull them when the edges turn golden. If they darken too much they can develop a bitter flavor.

Season on top: Brushing with olive oil and adding extra Parmesan before baking enhances both flavor and texture for a bakery-fresh finish.

Cool before breaking: Crackers crisp up as they cool, making them easier to break into uniform pieces for a cheese board or snacks.

Store: Keep crackers in an airtight container at room temperature to stay crunchy for up to a week.

If you enjoy sourdough baking, try using your starter in other recipes like sourdough pizza dough or a tangy pie crust for more ways to use discard.

Crackers on a baking sheet.

Sourdough Parmesan Crackers

Put sourdough discard to good use with a batch of these Parmesan crackers. They’re savory, crisp, and full of cheesy flavor — perfect for an afternoon snack, packed lunches, or a homemade addition to any cheese board.

Basket with homemade seeded crackers on white cloth, herbs in background.
Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 30
Total Time: 40
4.93 from 14 votes

Sourdough Crackers with Parmesan Cheese

By Dahn Boquist
Turn your sourdough discard into crisp, cheesy crackers packed with Parmesan and herbs — like something fresh from a pizzeria oven.

If you make this recipe, please leave a star rating and comment.

Servings: 3 dozen crackers
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Ingredients 

  • 1 cup active sourdough starter, (240 grams)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, (120 grams)
  • cup grated Parmesan cheese, (40 grams)
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Let the dough rest 10 to 20 minutes so it absorbs moisture and firms up.
  • Divide the dough in half.
  • Place one piece of dough on parchment and roll it into a thin rectangle about 1/16 inch thick.
  • Transfer the sheet of dough to a baking sheet. Brush the top with olive oil and sprinkle with grated Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
  • Repeat with the second piece of dough.
  • Bake 28 to 30 minutes, checking from 20 minutes onward. Thicker crackers may need more time.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool completely, then break into cracker-sized pieces.

Video

Notes

Starter or discard: Use either active (fed) starter or sourdough discard. Discard yields a more pronounced tang.

Baking time: Baking time depends on how thin you roll the dough. Start checking around 20 minutes and use color as your guide — golden edges indicate crisp, while dark brown means overdone.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving, Calories: 41kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 2g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.

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