This fun and delicious Homemade Goldfish Crackers recipe comes together in about 30 minutes, all in one bowl, for a quick and easy snack that your family will love! Whether you’re looking to whip up a kid-friendly appetizer or you’re trying to switch up snack time, these little cheesy delights are perfect for any occasion. Plus, you can easily switch up the spices or use what you have in the pantry, making this recipe versatile enough to be a “clean out the fridge” meal!
Ingredient Breakdown
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- All-Purpose Flour
- Kosher Salt
- Sugar
- Baking Powder
- Paprika
- Celery Salt
- Onion Powder
- Unsalted Butter
- Cold Water
- Goldfish Cookie Cutter (Optional)
Let’s Get Cooking!
Prep the Cheese (5 minutes): Start by finely shredding your cheese with a cheese grater and add it to a food processor. Process until the cheese is really finely chopped. This will ensure it’s well incorporated into the dough.
Mix Dry Ingredients (3 minutes): Next, add in the flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, paprika, celery salt, and onion powder. Pulse until everything is evenly incorporated, just a minute should do it. The smell of the spices blending with the cheese is going to make your kitchen feel amazing!
Add Butter and Water (5 minutes): Add the chilled butter into the mixture, along with 4 tablespoons of cold water, and give it a few more pulses. You want the dough to start coming together, but if it’s looking a bit crumbly, just add a bit more water, a tablespoon at a time.
Knead the Dough (5 minutes): Move the dough to a floured work surface and knead it gently, just until it comes together smoothly. If it’s still crumbly, don’t panic, add in small amounts of water until it sticks together. Now, divide the dough in half and shape each part into a 1-inch thick disc. Cover them in plastic wrap and pop them in the fridge for about 30 minutes to an hour.
Preheat the Oven (5 minutes): While the dough chills out, preheat your oven to 350°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. The aroma of the warm kitchen will start to fill the air!
Roll Out the Dough (10 minutes): On a floured surface, roll out each dough disc into a rectangular shape, about 9–10 inches by 11 inches and roughly 1/8 inch thick. Get creative! Use your Goldfish cookie cutter to make fun shapes, and place them onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle them with a couple pinches of salt. Feel free to reroll any dough scraps to make more shapes!
Bake (14-16 minutes): Pop the baking sheets in the oven and bake for about 14-16 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet before enjoying them. Honestly, the anticipation will build up as you smell them baking!

Why I Love This Recipe
This homemade Goldfish Cracker recipe is truly a go-to for me when I want to impress friends, family, or (let’s be real) when I need something cheesy to munch on while binge-watching my favorite show. It’s comfort food at its best, simple, satisfying, and utterly delicious! I’m a real sucker for anything cheesy, and the best part is you can use whatever you have on hand, so it’s basically impossible to go wrong. I love making these little snacks, especially when my kids are in the kitchen with me, major bonding moments right there!
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Sweet Potato Crackers, my Vanilla Wafers, or my Homemade Strawberry Fruit Snacks!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This awesome Homemade Goldfish Crackers recipe comes together in under 30 minutes! Seriously, there’s no waiting around like with some other baked goods; you can be snacking in a jiffy!
Customizable
What makes it so great is its versatility! You can use whatever ingredients you’ve got hanging out in the fridge. Switch up the cheese, swap spices, or even throw in some herbs for your personal twist, there’s no limit!
Crowd-Pleaser
I promise, these crackers are a total crowd-pleaser. The whole family will love them, from toddlers to grandparents, they’ll be asking for seconds for sure!
Serving and Storage Tips
Serving Suggestions:
These little cheese crackers are perfect on their own, but if you’re feeling fancy, serve them alongside a tasty dip or even a selection of cheeses and fruits for a fun snack board!
How Long They Keep:
These crackers can stay fresh for about a week if stored in an airtight container. Trust me, they probably won’t last that long!
Reheating Instructions:
If you have leftovers, a quick refresher in the oven for about 5 minutes at 350°F will revive that crunchy, cheesy goodness.
Freezer Friendly:
Yes! You can freeze the baked crackers for about a month. Just pop them in a freezer-safe bag, and they’ll be ready to enjoy whenever you need a cheesy fix!
So gather the ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and let’s make some snack magic happen with these Homemade Goldfish Crackers! Trust me, it’s an adventure in flavor that your whole family will love! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!

Homemade Goldfish Crackers
Ingredients
Method
- Finely shred the cheese and add it to a food processor. Process until finely chopped.
- Add flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, paprika, celery salt, and onion powder. Pulse until evenly incorporated.
- Add chilled butter and 4 tablespoons of cold water. Pulse until the dough starts coming together, adding more water if needed.
- Move the dough to a floured surface and knead gently until smooth. If crumbly, add small amounts of water.
- Divide the dough in half and shape each into a 1-inch thick disc. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out each dough disc into a rectangle, about 1/8 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes.
- Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and place on baking sheets.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely before enjoying.