Homemade Cheesy Goldfish Crackers

Who does not love Goldfish crackers??

I am not much of a recipe sharer. If you have been around this blog for a while, you already know that! You are much more likely to find a recipe for playdough or homemade paint than you are for something you can actually eat. But every now and then, a recipe comes along that is just too good not to share, and this is one of those times.

These homemade cheesy goldfish crackers are simple, delicious, and made with just a handful of ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. I have seen several versions of this recipe floating around the web, but this is my version, and I have to say — they are really, really good. My boys devoured them, and I have a feeling yours will too!

What You Need

1 cup flour
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
4 tbsp butter, softened and cut into small squares
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp salt
1–2 tbsp cold water

Note: Some versions of this recipe use cayenne pepper or garlic powder instead of onion powder. Feel free to experiment and find the combination your family loves best!

How to Make Them

Combine the flour, cheese, onion powder, salt, and butter in a bowl and mix until everything comes together.
Add the cold water one tablespoon at a time and use your hands to form the dough into a ball.
On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about ¼ inch thick.
Cut into your desired shapes. We used a small fish-shaped cutter, but any small cookie cutter will work!
Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F until golden brown, about 10–12 minutes depending on your oven. Keep an eye on them — every oven is a little different!

A Few Tips

Cheese matters: Freshly grated cheddar melts into the dough better than pre-shredded cheese, which is often coated in starch. Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor!
Don’t skip the cold water: Adding it gradually helps you get the right dough consistency without overworking it.
No fish cutter? No problem! Small squares, circles, or any fun shape work just as well. Kids love helping cut them out!
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days — if they last that long!

Make It a Kid Activity

One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it is a great one to make with your kids. Rolling the dough and cutting out the shapes is the perfect job for little hands. It keeps them busy, teaches them about cooking, and makes them so much more excited to eat the finished product. Win, win, win!

These homemade cheesy goldfish crackers have officially earned a permanent spot in our snack rotation. They are easy enough to throw together on a weekday afternoon and tasty enough to serve at a party. Give them a try and let me know what you think in the comments below — I would love to hear how your family likes them!