The Best Homemade Fruit and Nut Crackers: Easy Recipe for Holiday Entertaining

Lemon & Life is part of the Amazon Associates & other partner programs, so this page may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend products and services that we genuinely believe in and/or use ourselves; that’s our promise.

---

Are you looking for that perfect appetizer crisp or a thoughtful addition to your holiday charcuterie board? Look no further than homemade fruit and nut crackers! These savoury-sweet, crispy delights are incredibly simple to make, yet they elevate any cheese platter from basic to gourmet.

Packed with nutritious ingredients like dried fruits, toasted nuts, and whole grains, they offer a satisfying crunch and complex flavour that pairs beautifully with soft cheeses, dips, and spreads.

Skip the expensive store-bought versions this year, hello–they’re expensive! In this post, we'll show you how quick and easy it is to bake your own batch of the best fruit and nut crackers, a festive addition that your guests will absolutely love!

---

Here’s a few reasons why I think these Fruit and Nut Crackers are Great for the Holidays and beyond

The Ultimate Charcuterie Board Pairing

• Textural Contrast: The dense, crispy texture provides a perfect counterpoint to creamy cheeses like Brie, goat cheese, or a sharp cheddar.

• Flavor Harmony: The combination of sweet dried fruit (cranberries, apricots) and earthy nuts (pecans, walnuts) offers a balanced flavor profile that complements both salty cured meats and tangy pickles.

Perfect for Gifting and Prep Ahead

• Great Shelf Life: Unlike many homemade treats, these crackers keep well in an airtight container for several weeks. You can bake a large batch well in advance of the holidays, easing your kitchen stress. With the humidity levels down here in the Caribbean, I pop them back in the oven for a few minutes, and they’re good as new!

• Thoughtful Hostess Gift: Wrap a stack in clear cellophane and tie it with a ribbon for a beautiful, edible gift that shows effort and sophistication.

They Look Incredibly Festive

• Natural Beauty: When sliced thinly, the crackers' cross-sections showcase colourful fruits and nuts, making them visually stunning and instantly appealing on a serving tray. Use holiday colours like red cranberries and green pistachios for an extra festive touch.

Why They Are So Easy to Make

Making these gourmet crackers is surprisingly straightforward and doesn't require complex pastry skills.

The "Quick Bread" Method

• The dough is essentially a quick bread, mixed, poured into a loaf pan, and baked like a simple loaf of bread. There's no kneading, rising time, or intricate shaping involved.

The Freezer is Your Secret Weapon

• Once the loaf is baked, the magic step is freezing it. A partially or fully frozen loaf is incredibly easy to slice into thin, uniform pieces—no special equipment required, just a sharp knife.

Two-Step Baking Process (Biscotti are the best, eh?)

• Step 1: Bake the loaf.

• Step 2: Slice the chilled/frozen loaf and bake the thin slices until they are perfectly crisp and golden brown. That's it!

best fruit and nut crackers, fruit and nut, easy, best, holidays, easy recipe, holiday entertaining

quick bread, snack,

Yield: 50-60 Crackers

Author: Janel Damiani

Print

With ImageWithout Image

Simple and Best Fruit and Nut Crackers

These delicious fruit and nut crackers are easy and crowd-pleasing! The recipe uses the simple "quick bread" and "freeze-and-slice" method, ensuring perfectly crisp, thin crackers every time.

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 1 HourInactive time: 2 HourTotal time: 3 H & 15 M

Cook modePrevent screen from turning off

Ingredients

• Dry Base: All-Purpose Flour: 1/2 cup (60g) – Use half whole wheat or rye flour for a nuttier flavour.
• Whole Wheat Flour: 1/2 cup (60g)
• Baking Soda 1 tsp
• Salt (Kosher or Sea) 1/2 tsp
• Wet Base: Milk (any kind)1 cup (240ml) Dairy, oat, or almond milk all work well.
• Honey or Maple Syrup 1/4 cup (80g).
• Flavour & Texture: Dried Fruit–chopped 3/4 cup Cranberries (festive red!), Figs, Apricots, or Cherries.
• Nuts/Seeds–chopped 3/4 cup Pecans, Walnuts, Pistachios, or Pumpkin Seeds.
• Spices (Choose 1-2) 1/2 tsp total: Cinnamon, Nutmeg, or Allspice.
• Herbs & Zest (Optional)1 Tbsp fresh Rosemary and Orange Zest are a classic pairing.

Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (180°C). Grease and line a couple of mini loaf pans (5.5x3.75 inches) with parchment paper.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together both flours, baking soda, salt, dried fruit, nuts, spices, herbs, and zest until everything is evenly combined.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, stir the milk and honey (or maple syrup) together.
4. Form Batter: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The batter will be thick, like a muffin batter.
5. Bake: Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
6. Cool: Let the loaf cool completely on a wire rack.
7. Freeze and Slice (The Secret to Success!) Chill: Once cool, tightly wrap the loaf in plastic wrap and transfer it to the freezer for at least 2-3 hours until it is very firm. This is the trick to thin, perfect slices.
8. Preheat for Second Bake: Preheat your oven to a low temperature, 300F (150C)
9. Slice: Remove the loaf from the freezer and use a sharp serrated knife to slice it as thinly as possible (aim for 1/8 inch or less).
10. Second Bake: Arrange the cracker slices in a single layer on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. They won't expand, so you can place them close together.
11. Bake for 15 minutes, then flip each cracker over.
12. Bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the crackers are a light golden brown and feel completely dry and crisp to the touch.
13. Cool & Store: Let them cool completely on the baking sheet—they will continue to crisp up as they cool. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Recommended Products

Pyrex Essentials (3-Piece) Glass Mixing Bowls Set For Prepping, Baking and Cooking, Preheated Oven, Dishwasher, Freezer, and Microwave Safe

Cuisinart CMBM-4LP Mini Loaf Pan 4 Count (Pack of 1)

Nutrition Facts

Calories

30

Fat

1 g

Sat. Fat

0 g

Carbs

3 g

Fiber

0 g

Net carbs

2 g

Sugar

1 g

Protein

0 g

Sodium

55 mg

Cholesterol

0 mg

My nutritional notes are a guestimation. Use with caution

https://www.lemonandlife.com/blog/best-fruit-and-nut-crackers

All rights reserved for Lemon&Life (Sage Creative, LLC)

Did you make this? We'd love to know!

Tag us @limoneandlife on IG & hashtag it with #lemonlifecommunity