Healthy Homemade Lentil Crackers

These crispy homemade lentil crackers are one of those snacks I get weirdly excited about… They are crunchy, savory, easy to make, and they actually feel satisfying to eat.

I love that they are made with simple ingredients, and that creamy coconut dip on the side makes them even better. It is such a good little healthy snack moment… how can you not?!

If you want to see exactly how I make these crispy homemade lentil crackers, check out the recipe video below… and if you enjoy it, please give it a like! Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more healthy snack recipes, homemade crackers, and other easy savory recipes.


Why you’ll love this healthy homemade lentil crackers recipe

healthy homemade crackers recipe

This is the kind of recipe that feels very doable, even on a regular day. You are not rolling dough, flouring the counter, or cutting out perfect shapes. You soak the lentils, blend everything together, spread it out, and bake.

I also love that these lentil crackers are naturally gluten-free and high in protein. They are great when you want something homemade and crunchy, but do not want to fuss too much.

Texture + flavor

red lentil crackers

These homemade crackers come out crisp around the edges and nicely crunchy once they cool. The garlic and spices give them a warm, savory flavor, and the sesame seeds add a little extra bite that makes them feel more snacky and satisfying.

The dip is smooth, creamy, and lightly tangy from the lemon juice. With the crunchy crackers, it is such a good combination… simple, but really delicious.

Homemade lentil crackers ingredients

homemade crackers recipe

For the crackers

  • 1 cup dried red lentils (200 g)
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • Turmeric, to taste
  • Smoked paprika, to taste
  • Cumin, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (about 27 g)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons water (30 g)
  • 2 tablespoons black and white sesame seeds (about 18 g)

For the dip

  • 3/4 cup coconut milk (200 ml)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (about 14 g)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (15 g)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Dried garlic, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon starch (about 3 g), dissolved in 1 tablespoon water (15 g)

Equipment you’ll need

  • Large bowl
  • Sieve or fine mesh strainer
  • Food processor
  • Spatula
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Pastry brush
  • Knife
  • Small saucepan

Let me show you how I make these crackers

baked crackers recipe

Step 1: Put the lentils in a sieve over a bowl and rinse them well. Once they look clean, cover them with plenty of cold water and let them soak for about 4 hours. They should look a little fuller and softer, but still hold their shape.

Step 2: Drain the soaked lentils and add them to the food processor. Then, add the garlic cloves. Then, add your seasonings, the olive oil, salt, black pepper, and the water.

Step 3: Blend until the mixture is smooth and thick. It should look like a soft paste and spread easily, not dry and not watery. If needed, stop once or twice and scrape down the sides so everything blends evenly.

Food processor blending a thick yellow lentil mixture into a smooth paste, prepared as the batter for crispy lentil crackers.

Step 4: Add the sesame seeds and use a spatula to stir everything together. Do not keep blending at this point, or the sesame seeds will break up too much.

Step 5: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then brush it lightly with oil so the crackers do not stick.

Step 6: Scoop the mixture onto the baking sheet and spread it into a thin, even layer. Try to keep the thickness as even as you can, because that helps the crackers bake evenly instead of giving you soft spots in the middle.

Thin layer of lentil batter spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet and scored into rectangles, prepared for baking in this lentil crackers recipe.

Top Tip: If the center is thicker than the edges, the crackers are much more likely to stay soft in the middle. Taking an extra minute to spread the mixture evenly really helps here.

Step 7: Use a knife to cut the mixture into bite-sized squares. You do not need to separate them now. Just score the lines clearly so they are easy to break apart later.

Step 8: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Start checking at 30 minutes. They are ready when the surface looks dry, the edges are lightly golden, and the crackers feel firm.

Note: They will still feel a little soft when they first come out of the oven. That is completely normal. They crisp up more as they cool.

Step 9: While the crackers are baking, make the dip. Add the coconut milk to a small saucepan over low heat, then add the olive oil, lemon juice, and salt, black pepper, and dried garlic to taste. Stir as it warms so it stays smooth.

creamy dip topped with sliced green onions, served alongside baked crackers in this savory crackers recipe.

Step 10: Add the starch mixed with water and keep stirring for another minute or two, until the dip thickens slightly and looks smooth and creamy.

Step 11: Let the crackers cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then break them apart and serve with the dip.

Plate of golden homemade crackers arranged around a small bowl of creamy dip topped with green onions, served in this baked crackers recipe.

Related Recipe: If you have some lentils left over, try this simple red lentil bread also. It turns out soft, hearty, and really satisfying.

Easy Homemade Lentil Crackers Recipe

Recipe by Jen Evansy
0.0 from 0 votes

Easy, healthy high-protein crackers with a savory dip. These crispy lentil crackers are easy to make, really crunchy, and such a good homemade snack. I love using red lentils here because they blend smoothly and give the crackers the best texture.

Course: SnackCuisine: HealthyDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

4

hours 

30

minutes
Baking time

35

minutes
Calories

253

kcal
Total time

5

hours 

5

minutes
Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (200 g) red lentils

  • 2 cloves garlic

  • Turmeric, to taste

  • Smoked paprika, to taste

  • Cumin, to taste

  • 2 tablespoons (about 27 g) olive oil or coconut oil

  • Salt, to taste

  • Black pepper, to taste

  • 2 tablespoons (30 g) water

  • 2 tablespoons (about 18 g) black and white sesame seeds

  • Ingredients for the dip
  • 3/4 cup (200 ml) coconut milk

  • 1 tablespoon (about 14 g) olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon (15 g) lemon juice

  • Dried garlic, to taste

  • 1 teaspoon (about 3 g)  starch

Directions

  • Rinse 1 cup of dried lentils and soak them in water for at least for 4 hours.
  • Drain and blend soaked lentils in a food processor with 2 garlic cloves, seasonings, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons water until smooth.
  • Stir in 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds without blending further.
  • Spread mixture thinly on oiled parchment-covered baking sheet.
  • Score into squares before baking at 375°F (190°C) for 30-35 minutes until golden.
  • To make the dip, heat coconut milk, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic in a saucepan for the dip.
  • Add the starch mixture to thicken the dip while stirring continuously.
  • Cool crackers until crisp; pair with coconut dip.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Best lentils to use: Red lentils are the best choice for this recipe. They soften faster, blend more smoothly, and give you a more even cracker mixture. Brown or green lentils can work, but they usually need a longer soak and may leave the texture a little less smooth.
  • If using other lentils: If you only have brown or green lentils, soak them longer and blend really well. The mixture may stay a bit thicker, so you might need a little more blending time to get it smooth.
  • Do not skip soaking: Soaking really matters here. It softens the lentils, helps them blend properly, and gives you a smoother batter that is much easier to spread.
  • Seasoning swaps that work: You can keep the base recipe the same and change the flavor with dried herbs, chili flakes, or a little nutritional yeast. Similar homemade cracker recipes often use herbs and spice blends this way, so it is an easy way to change the flavor without changing the texture.
  • If the middle stays soft: The mixture was probably spread too thick, especially in the center. Spread it in a thinner, more even layer next time, and bake a few extra minutes if needed until the surface looks dry and the edges turn lightly golden.
  • Keep them crisp longer: Let the crackers cool fully before storing them, then keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. If they soften a little, warm them in a 350°F oven for a few minutes to bring the crunch back.
  • Make prep feel easier: Soak the lentils earlier in the day or leave them overnight in the fridge so the hands on work goes much faster later. You can also mix the starch slurry for the dip ahead of time, so it is ready when the crackers go into the oven

Nutrition Facts

  • Total number of serves: 4
  • Calories: 253kcal
  • Fat: 14g
  • Carbohydrates: 23g
  • Protein: 10g
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Storage

savory crackers

Store the cooled crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If they lose a little crunch, you can pop them back into a 350°F oven for a few minutes to crisp them up again.

Common mistakes to avoid

Thin layer of lentil batter spread evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ready to bake in this healthy crackers recipe.
  • Spreading the mixture too thick, especially in the center
  • Underbaking and judging the texture before the crackers have cooled
  • Blending after adding the sesame seeds
  • Skipping the light oil on the parchment, which can make sticking more likely

Serving ideas

healthy crackers

These crackers are great plain, but they are also really good with dips, spreads, sour cream, mashed avocado, or even crumbled over soup or salad for crunch. That is one of my favorite ways to use them when I want something a little different.

They do pack really well if you want something savory to nibble on later. In my opinion, homemade crackers like this just feel a lot more interesting than store-bought ones.

Crispy lentil crackers nutrition

Hand dipping a crispy golden cracker into a creamy dip topped with sliced green onions, served in this homemade crackers recipe.

Nutrition information, 1 serving equals 5 crackers with dip:

  • 253 calories
  • 23 g carbohydrates
  • 10 g protein
  • 14 g fat

Want more healthy snack recipes?

If you enjoyed these crispy homemade lentil crackers, make sure to check out more healthy snack recipes, lentil recipes, and other savory snack ideas below… there are so many good ones to try next.

Multi Seed Crackers Recipe

And if you make these crispy lentil crackers, leave a comment below or ask any questions in the YouTube video comments. I would love to hear how they turned out, and I will try to reply to as many comments and questions as I can.

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About Jen Evansy

Nutritionist, researcher, avid home cook, and writer interested in everything nutrition and food-related. Striving to inform, encourage, and inspire all the readers to make healthy and informed choices when it comes to cooking, food, diet, and nutrition.