If you love putting together the prettiest food for fancy gatherings, let me unveil the best crackers for charcuterie board that are trendy right now to make your board truly spectacular.
What is more attractive then creating a charcuterie board! Is like assembling a work of art on a plate. You’ve got your delicious cured meats, artisan cheeses, and an array of delectable accompaniments. But crackers should not be an after thought! So, grab a glass of wine, and let’s get cracking!
I grew up in a culture that worshiped meat and especially cured meats and cheeses. Even though I made a conscious choice to reduce meat and have a predominantly plant-based diet in my adulthood, every now and then, I love indulging in a varied board adorned with nibbles that celebrate craftsmanship, traditional techniques and local artisans.
The charcuterie trend
Charcuterie, which refers to the art of preparing and preserving meat products, such as sausages, pâtés, and cured meats, has experienced a revival in popularity, becoming a trendy appetizer option. Here are some key reasons for its resurgence:
- Focus on Quality and Craftsmanship: In a world dominated by ultra processed foods (UPF’s), there is a growing appreciation for artisanal and handcrafted products. Charcuterie embodies this artisanal spirit, with foodies and chefs creating their own cured and smoked meats, sausages, and terrines using traditional techniques. It’s all about high-quality ingredients and craftsmanship!
- Elevated Dining Experiences at Home: Charcuterie boards provide an easy way to create a sophisticated spread without extensive culinary skills or preparation.
- Versatility and Customization: People can assemble boards with a mix of meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, bread, jams and chutneys, tailoring them to their personal tastes and dietary restrictions. The charcuterie trend offers a vast range of flavors and textures to explore, from spicy chorizo to delicate prosciutto and rich pâtés.
- Social Media and Aesthetic Appeal: People are drawn to the beautiful and Instagram-worthy presentations, and many share their creations, inspiring others to try their hand at charcuterie. How often do you see a picture perfect charcuterie board on Instagram or Pinterest that makes you want to impress your guests by creating the same!
- Health-Conscious Choices: More natural choices in charcuterie, without additives or preservatives such as nitrate-free options, are increasingly popular if you are health-conscious like me.
- Culinary Tourism and Global Flavors: As people become more interested in exploring diverse cuisines and flavors, charcuterie allows them to experience a taste of different regions and culinary traditions. Varieties like Spanish jamón, Italian salami, and French terrines offer a delicious journey through global gastronomy.
- Support for Local Producers: The charcuterie trend often aligns with the “farm-to-table” concept, as people seek out locally produced and sustainably sourced meats. This trend supports small-scale farmers and artisanal producers, contributing to the growth of local food economies.
why crackers matter
Often overlooked, crackers play a crucial role in the overall experience. Because their taste, shape and texture pair uniquely with different meats, scooping up melty cheeses or carrying unctuous terrines or pâtés.
Create a theme with your charcuterie board by pairing the meats, cheeses and condiments that will go well together with your chosen cuisine.
The “Mediterranean” one
For example, I paired up beautiful figs, capers, sundried tomatoes, with garlicky truffle Cheddar chunks, Parma ham, mini fuets (Catalan sausages), a quince and pear chutney. Add some flavourful crackers with rosemary and olives, Torinesi breadsticks and you will be instantly transported to bustling streets in Italy, Spain or France!
The “quintessential gourmet” one
I selected British aisles foods and mixed and matched a few classics like fruity Haldikiki olives with fiery and warming flavors and smoked antipasti.
Intricate flavor cheeses (like the blue cheese made in Lancashire and the goats cheese made in Somerset), beef brisket slices pair well with condiments like this beer mustard and a local chili jam made with Bhut Jolokia chilies (to give everything a sweet kick)! This board asked for more sweetness and sturdiness offered by the fruity and nutty crackers.
Picking the Right Crackers
- Choose crackers with flavors and textures that complement your preferred spreads or toppings.
- Think allergies! If you have guests with a variety of dietary preferences, try and cater for everyone.
- Look for wholesome ingredients: Read the labels and choose crackers made with whole grains or seeds. Avoid crackers with artificial additives, preservatives, or excessive amounts of sugar.
- Choose sturdy textures for dipping, and convenient packaging (to reseal or save what has not been eaten for later).
Trendy crackers you’ll love
There is an array of crackers out-there to try; I picked some of the best options to take your charcuterie board from good to gourmet.
But whether you opt for the classic crunch or decide to explore the world of artisanal and flavored options, let your creativity shine through as you curate a charcuterie board that is both yummy and visually stunning.
Charcoal wafers – dark and crispy
Made from stoneground wholemeal flour, they are thin and crisp carriers for cheese, meats, pates and savoury spreads. Perfect to pair with goat’s cheese and honey!
Beetroot sourdough crackers – earthy sweetness
These crackers have a vibrancy that would make your board come alive. They are slightly sweet and have a little chewiness, although they are very light and crisp. Pair with a sharp or even a creamy Brie!
Rye sourdough crackers – sturdy and timeless
If you want to replace the classic cracker or the water cracker, this rye sourdough cracker provide the perfect neutral base for the complex flavors of your meats and cheeses. Perfect to pair with Cheddar cheese!
Rosemary and olive crackers
These fragrant crackers are crisp and golden, with flecks of gorgeous black olives. They pair wonderfully with Italian cured meats and even goat cheese!
Fruity crackers
I have selected two fruity crackers because they are very different in texture. The concept of fruit in crackers revolves around dates, plums, figs and sultanas and you can’t go wrong with any of these. Because they add a burst of sweetness that pairs so well with savory flavors!
Date, Plum & Hazelnut Biscuits
Smooth and crumbly baked biscuits flavored with nuggets of fruity date, plum and crunchy hazelnut. Perfect pairing for Stilton!
Plum and date toasts
Slim and a tad chewy, but still crispy, it’s great for spreading, or nibbling. A wonderful marriage with blue cheese (I paired it with Blacksticks Blue – a rich, piquant yet creamy)!
Breadstick – classically sophisticated
I mixed two types of breadsticks for my boards:
- Torinesi breadstick, light, naturally leavened and crispy – twirl some Parma ham around it and you are in heaven!
- A lavender Marseilles breadstick that I bought when I was in Provence (France) in the summer. A little sturdier, this won’t break easily when scooping up some gorgeous Brie or English soft and creamy goats cheese!
variations and substitutions
Artisanal Delights: Handcrafted Goodness
- These handcrafted delights often come in unique shapes and flavors, ranging from rosemary and olive oil to black pepper and sea salt to seeds, nuts, herbs and chilies.
- Incorporating these artisanal wonders into your charcuterie board not only adds a touch of sophistication but also sparks conversations about the craftsmanship behind each perfectly baked piece.
- Feel free to explore, mix and match, you cannot go wrong, I promise!
Flavored Fusions: A Burst of Unexpected Delight
- To truly make your charcuterie board stand out, consider including crackers with bold flavors that complement the meats and cheeses.
- Think outside the box with options like sundried tomato, garlic and herb, or even spicy jalapeño.
- These flavorful fusions add a zesty kick that can harmonize or contrast with the other elements, offering a surprising twist that keeps your party intrigued and satisfied.
After all, every great gathering deserves an exceptional charcuterie board with crackers that leave a lasting impression on your guests and their palates.
- If you use my crackers ideas, take a snapshot for your Instagram
- Post and tag me @candyflossiecooks😉🤗!
- Don’t forget to rate my recipe! It will make my day!
A brief faq about crackers & small charcuterie boards
Put the dips and condiments in the corners if you have a rectangular board, so that they are easily accessible and no drips whilst guests are helping themselves. The crackers should be piled in a few spots, so that there is plenty of choice from all angles. Dot the fruit around the platter and make sure it’s easy to pick.
For a small charcuterie board, you need to keep things interesting, but not too crowded. Think about what your guests may like (or dislike) and have only two or three options. Aside from two or three crackers (savory, sweet and plain), I suggest one hard or medium cheese and one soft or creamy, two or three meat options (salami, ham or sausage), two or three fruit or pickle/olive options and a few dips or chutneys.
If you have any leftovers, separate them (for example meats and cheeses, fruit, crackers). Place the crackers in their original packaging, or just put them in a biscuit tin so that they keep crispy.
Put the meats and cheeses in airtight containers in the fridge, they will last for at least 3 days.
Ultimately, the best ones are the ones you and your guests will enjoy, so just have fun out there in the delicatessen aisle, but be bold with your choices! There is more to crackers than Carr’s water crackers 😊!
Best crackers for charcuterie board (trendy)
Equipment
- 2 small cutting boards or platters (I used very inexpensive palm leaf platters from a local deli)
- small bowls or ramekins to contain spreads, jams, condiments, pickles and olives
- teaspoons for scooping up jams chutneys and condiments
- miniature forks or toothpicks to keep things hygienic
- serviettes have plenty of them handy
- plates
- small cheese knives
Ingredients
Crackers
- 1 box plain or wholegrain crackers (or breadsticks)
- 1 box savory or flavored (herby) crackers (or get assorted crackers)
- 1 box fruity crackers or toasts
- 1 box colorful crackers (such as beetroot or charcoal)
Cheeses
- 1 soft cheese (select a soft or creamy cheese, like goats cheese or Brie)
- 1 medium cheese (Blue cheese such as Stilton)
- 1 hard cheese (such as Cheddar)
Cured Meats
- 150 g Prosciutto di Parma (hams, salamis, pastramis)
- 150 g salami (salami Milano or Italian salami)
- 150 g pastrami (such as beef brisket pastrami)
- 150 g fuet (or chorizo or other spicy sausage)
Fruits
- 1-2 bunches grapes (select white and red or black for variation)
- 2-3 figs (fresh or dried will work or even a handful of dried apricots)
Condiments
- 1 small jar mustard (I picked a wholegrain mustard, adds a tangy kick)
- 1 small jar chili jam (something sweet and something hot)
- 1 small jar fruity chutney or relish (I picked a quince chutney, but a fig one will work well)
- pickles (decanted and drained from their jars) (like cornichons, sundried tomatoes, pickled onions or capers)
- 150 g olives
Instructions
Preparation
- Arrange one or two small wooden boards or platters.
- Take cheeses out of the fridge 30 minutes before serving for better flavor.
- Slice the hard cheese in batons or dice it.
Cheese Placement:
- Position the cheeses evenly around the board.
- Place the soft creamy cheese in the center.
Cured Meats display:
- Arrange the cured meats in an attractive pattern.
- Drape slices of prosciutto for an elegant look.
- Fold salami into rose-like shapes. You can use a small glass to do this.
Fruits display:
- Wash any fresh fruit you are using and dry thoroughly with kitchen paper.
- If you are using fruit like pears and apples, slice them thinly. Drizzle the slices with a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Detach a few clusters of grapes from the bunch and place them throughout the board.
- Arrange fruit slices in small piles or in a flower shape.
Crackers display:
- Distribute the crackers around the board for variety.
- Spread them like a deck of cards.
- The breadsticks can be placed in a tall glass, if you don't have enough space on the board.
Condiments and pickles:
- Spoon whole grain mustard into a small dish.
- Place a small bowl of chutney or chili jam on the board.
- Decant sundried tomatoes, olives and capers in small bowls with a wider opening so they're easy to pick.,
Final Touch:
- Fill any empty spaces with fresh herbs like rosemary, basil or thyme for a decorative touch.
- Think about displaying contrasting colors foods next to each other.
- If you are thinking about adding a few nuts (like pistachios, almonds or walnuts) for extra crunch, CHECK FOR ALLERGIES!
Serve:
- Let the guests help themselves, pairing different cheeses with meats, fruits, and condiments.
- Provide small cheese knives, forks, toothpicks and spreaders for convenience.