Get The Crunch
These low carb flax seed crackers are a powerhouse of nutrition and a way to get crackers back into your life on the keto (or any low carb) diet. You’ll find that these zero carb flax crackers are the perfect way to enjoy a crunch again! First, I tried flax crackers at our local Hy-Vee at a class we led back in 2019. I started experimenting at home and was surprised at how easy these are to make.
I have found that in the humid summers where I live, they don’t get as crunchy as they do in the dry winter months. If you live in a humid environment, what will help is to use a dehydrator to finish them off. You can actually cook them entirely in a dehydrator if you choose.
Change Up The Flavor
You can change up the flavor of the recipe by adding some seasoning when you begin soaking the flax seeds. My favorite spice combination is a quarter teaspoon of garlic powder and a dash of chili pepper. Make them sweet by adding a half teaspoon cinnamon and a few drops of liquid stevia or Lakanto’s liquid monk fruit sweetener.
The Health Benefits Of Flax Seed
These tiny seeds are packed full of nutrition. Before you start consuming them, be sure and see the section below about when not to eat flaxseed.
Activate The Flax Seeds
Consuming whole flax seeds make it tough for your body to break them down. That’s why we soak our flax seeds in a mixture of water and vinegar. This activates the flax seeds and makes the nutrients in them more bioavailable in the body. Without this soaking process, you may see them come out whole in your stools.
Great For Vegan Or Vegetarian
If you are a vegetarian or a vegan, flax seeds are a great addition to your diet because they contain protein and can help you feel more satisfied when you eat. In two tablespoons of flax seeds, you get 6 grams of fiber and almost 5 grams of protein. These little seeds are a good source of magnesium, manganese, copper, and thiamin. They are packed full of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. Interestingly, flax seeds contain different omega-3s than those found in fatty fish like salmon.
Good Source Of Antioxidants
Flax seeds are a good source of antioxidants (polyphenols) which have been studied to reduce oxidative stress and premature aging, to protect against heart disease, to reduce the risk of cancer, and to protect against neurodegenerative diseases.
Reduces Perimenopause Symptoms
Because flax seeds contain phytoestrogens which mimic estrogen in the body, those in perimenopause can use them to reduce hot flashes and other perimenopause symptoms. I’ll share that this has been part of my strategy since I entered perimenopause and I find it very effective. My favorite way to consume flax seeds is with these flax crackers.
If you are in menopause or post-menopausal, these low carb flax crackers are a great way to increase estrogen in the body instead of using synthetic estrogens to treat symptoms. If you’re on estrogen, be sure and talk to your doctor about this before making any changes to your regimen.
Fights Inflammation
These keto flax seed crackers are a great way to fight inflammation in your body alongside a ketogenic diet. Flax seeds are a true superfood, and, these crackers are a delicious way to get that satisfying crunch back into your diet.
When Not To Eat Flax Seeds
Check With Your Doctor
Flax seeds contain phytoestrogens, which are compounds that mimic estrogen in the body. Therefore, if you have any hormone-related diseases or cancers, check with your doctor before consuming them. That said, if you are in menopause or post-menopausal, flax crackers can be a natural way to increase estrogen in the body.
Potassium Levels
If you have kidney disease or something else where you need to keep your potassium levels low, be sure and check with your doctor first. Flax seeds are high in potassium.
Gastrointestinal Issues
If you have gastrointestinal issues such as diverticulitis or diverticulosis you may need to avoid consuming whole flax seeds and instead use ground flaxseed to avoid a flare-up. I’m working on a recipe for flax crackers using ground flax seeds as well.
Low Carb Flax Cracker Recipe Tips
If you have a dehydrator, you can bake these by setting the dehydrator to a temperature between 160 and 200 degrees. Otherwise, use your oven set to the lowest temperature setting. If you have a convection oven, use that setting for the best results.
Make It Thin To Be Crispy
The thinner you spread the crackers, the crispier they will be. This is especially true if you live in a humid environment. I’ve gotten the best results using a dehydrator in a humid environment. Remember those very thin crackers won’t hold onto dips or cheese very well because they tend to break.
For the crispiest crackers, flip them over a few hours into baking once they’ve begun to set up. Experiment with small batches until you find the right balance of crispness and thickness for you.
How To Store Your Flax Crackers
Store these crackers in a tightly sealed container at room temperature for up to two weeks. You can also store them in the refrigerator or freezer for longer time periods.
Topping Ideas
Top these crackers with delicious cheese or one of our keto dip recipes including spinach artichoke dip, queso dip, crab dip, and more. Explore the links to our keto dip recipes below.
Ingredients for Zero Carb Flax Seed Crackers
Here's a list of the ingredients you'll need to make this recipe.
- golden flax seeds
- apple cider vinegar
- sea salt
Tutorial Video: Zero Carb Flax Seed Crackers
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Zero Carb Flax Seed Crackers
Ingredients
- ½ cup golden flax seeds whole
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup water
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Allow the flax seeds to soak for 4-6 hours.
- Preheat your oven to 200 degrees.
- On a parchment paper lined baking sheet, use the back of a spoon to spread out the flax seed gel into a rectangle which is a little less than ⅛ of an inch thick. You can make the crackers as thick as ¼ inch. The thinner the cracker, the crunchier and more brittle it will be.
- Place the baking sheet into the oven for 60 minutes Remove from the oven and use a pizza cutter to score the crackers. The crackers may not stay cut all the way through but this step makes it easier to get the crackers to hold their shape without breaking when they are completely dried.
- Place the baking sheet into the oven for an additional 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and use the pizza cutter to cut along the same lines as before. Remove any crackers around the edges that are rigid and crispy and separate the remaining crackers. Place them back into the oven until they are all completely dried and crispy, approximately 60-90 minutes.
- Store in a tightly sealed container for up to two weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
Other Keto Recipes
Chris says
I think the recipe as written has too much water. A similar recipe I've used successfully had a 1:1 ratio of water to seeds.
Anonymous says
I put the mixture in the fridge and a day later the seeds haven’t absorbed all of the water and there is still a layer of thin water on top. Is this supposed to happen? Also noticed I used brown flax seeds if that makes a difference.