Do you need the best crackers for a charcuterie board? I can help you decide which crackers will make the best cheese board for your party!
If I have only one thing at a party, I want it to be a charcuterie board. They are such a versatile appetizer. You can make a small charcuterie board or large, sweet, savory, holiday themed like an Easy Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board or Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board or a cheese platter themed for one of the seasons.
I even like to make them specifically for a meal, like an Easy Breakfast Charcuterie Board. Whatever the occasion, you have an array of different meats, cheeses, crackers, fruit, nuts, jams or olives. What more could you ask for?!
Best Crackers For A Charcuterie Board
When looking for the best crackers for a charcuterie board, there are a few options to consider. Flavor or the cracker, sturdiness and shape. The options below cover a wide range of those things and any combo of them will provide you with the best crackers for your charcuterie board!
Ritz – Let’s start with a basic, well known cracker. Ritz crackers are buttery, salty and a staple in a lot of homes. They are sturdy and a good choice for your cheese board.
Water Crackers – Water crackers are a classic. They don’t have a ton of flavor, which means they go well with basically anything on your large or small charcuterie board. Water crackers are fairly sturdy and an overall good choice.
34° Crisps – These are quite possibly my absolute favorite cracker for a charcuterie board. They are thin, super crisp and full of flavor. I’m obsessed with the rosemary flavor 34° Crisps! While they do break easily, the flavor and crunch they provide makes the very best cracker for a charcuterie board.
Artisan Crisps – It’s hard to go wrong with an artisan crisp. Rustic Bakery has some of my favorite pairings. There’s a flavor for every season, they compliment the cheese, jam and meats well and are a very sturdy, crisp cracker.
Sourdough Flatbread – Using a sourdough flatbread is great for a lot of reasons. It has a nice crispy crunch, great flavor options and a long shape. It’s nice to mix up cracker shapes for visual appeal. If you’re using these on a mini charcuterie board then break them up into smaller pieces.
Pita Chips – Pita chips are yummy and can come in a variety of flavors to mix things up. You can make your own or use store bought. They make a nice, different addition to a charcuterie board.
Crostini – While this is not quite a cracker, it does the trick! Use store bought crostini or make your own. I normally use a French baguette then add some oil, herbs, salt and spices before baking. Crostini provides a mild flavor and is widely used as one of the best crackers for a charcuterie board. You can cut them to any size, which makes them a great option for a small charcuterie board.
Pretzel Crisps – Pretzel crisps are great for a cheese board. I love the everything bagel flavored pretzel crisps but there are many to choose from. These provide a nice size cracker for a small charcuterie board as well.
Kid Friendly Cracker Options
- Goldfish – Goldfish Crackers are possibly a kids first choice for best crackers on a charcuterie board. With a fun shape and a yummy cheese taste, what’s not to like? They also come in a variety of colors if you want to color match for the theme of your charcuterie board.
- Cheez Its – Cheez It Crackers are cheese crackers that’s hard to beat on a kids favorite cracker list.
- Club Crackers – Club Crackers are buttery with a hint of salt. They pair well with other things you may find on a small charcuterie board.
Tips For Charcuterie Boards
- Choose 3 – 4 of each item you’re adding to your grazing board. Three types of cheeses, meats, fruit, and crackers for a charcuterie plate. This gives a nice variety of flavors and textures.
- Choose 1 -2 of each item to make a small charcuterie board. This may not seem like a lot, but when building a mini charcuterie board, this is plenty.
- Make your easy charcuterie board ahead of time. Build your board ahead of time but don’t add the crackers until you’re ready to serve. Refrigerating crackers will make them soggy.
- Add intentional motion when building your cheese board. Whether you’re making a small charcuterie board or large, you’ll want to arrange each item with curves or waves, creating a look of movement.
- When choosing items, pick a color theme and make sure you have a variety of colors. This will help make your charcuterie board visually appealing. Garnish with grapes.
- Choose crackers from the list of best crackers for a charcuterie board based on what other items you have on your board. Which crackers texture and flavor goes best with the other items on the board.
- Serve your charcuterie board at room temperature. The flavors of the cheeses, fruits, meats, jams and olives are best at room temperature. And of course you don’t want the crackers for your charcuterie board to be cold.
- I like using these French charcuterie boards or a round board. Use a cutting board or chopping board if you don’t have a special board.
How To Make A Charcuterie Board
Putting a charcuterie board together is so much fun! They’re so versatile which allows for your creativity to run wild choosing the best meats, cheeses, fruits, pickled items and crackers for your charcuterie tray.
Step 1: Artfully arrange all the ingredients into a spread. The key here is to create patterns and layers for a beautiful charcuterie board. Use small dishes for any items that have liquid, for example: olives, jams, roasted peppers, etc.
Step 2: Arrange the crackers for your cheese plate last. Crackers can be added last, just before serving. Place them in any open areas you have left, or layer them. If you don’t have room left on your board, you can always arrange the crackers on their own plate and serve them to the side of your cheese board.
How To Build A Small Charcuterie Board
Sometimes you want a charcuterie board but you’re not having a group of people over…that’s okay!! Make a small charcuterie board! Often times I make a mini charcuterie board for myself or myself and my husband.
Choose 1 -2 varieties of each of your items: crackers, cheese, meat, fruit, nuts, olives, jam, etc. This may not seem like a lot but it adds up when you’re only serving 1 -2 people. I like at least one hard cheese like cheddar cheese or parmesan then one soft cheese like brie or goat.
Step 1: Choose a smaller board, about 8×8 inches or even 8×6 if it’s just for you. Artfully arrange items on the board, leaving a little space for crackers. Use small pinch dishes for items like olives, jams, etc.
Step 2: Arrange crackers for the charcuterie board in the open spaces, or on a side plate if you’ve run out of room.
How To Arrange Crackers On A Charcuterie Board
After you pick out the best crackers for your charcuterie board then build the rest of your board, it’s time to arrange the crackers. But how??
Choose a few different spots on the board to place the crackers, that aren’t next to each other. If you spread them out, it breaks up the color and makes the charcuterie board more appealing.
Add movement to the crackers when arranging them. You can do this by arranging them in a circular motion, wavy pattern or any other pattern you like. Movement also adds visual appeal to your charcuterie board.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keep your crackers out of the refrigerator. Building your charcuterie board with the crackers on it and keeping it in the fridge will make the crackers soggy. Keep crackers tightly wrapped in the original package or an airtight container until you are ready to serve.
You most certainly can make a charcuterie board in advance. Add all items except the crackers to your board then wrap tightly and store in the fridge. Make sure to place any items containing liquid or oil in a small bowl on the board so that the liquid does not spread to any other items. Remove the charcuterie board about 2 hours before serving. All items on the board taste best at room temp.
I thought you’d never ask! A charcuterie board can most definitely be a meal and it is one of my absolute favorite meals. Girl dinner! Making a small charcuterie board filled with meats, cheeses, crackers, jams, olives, fruits and nuts can be one of the most satisfying meals.
That depends on how many people you are feeding. If the board is for 1-2 people, then an 8×8 is good. If the board is for 2-4 then 8×12 works well. For larger crowds, 15-25 then a board around 24×36 is a great size.
One of my favorites!
Mine too!