Cheese cracker should not be confused with Cheese and crackers.
| Cheese cracker | |
| Course: | Main Meal (in some countries, served as a special course) |
| Type: | Cracker |
| Variations: | Goldfish, Cheddars, Cheese Nips, Cheez-It |
The cheese cracker is a type of cracker prepared using cheese as a main ingredient. Additional common cracker ingredients are typically used, such as grain, flour, shortening, leavening, salt and various seasonings. The ingredients are formed into a dough, and the individual crackers are then prepared. Some cheese crackers are prepared using fermented dough. Cheese crackers are typically baked. Another method of preparing cheese crackers involves placing cheese atop warm crackers. Cheese crackers have been described as a "high-calorie snack", which is due to a higher fat content compared to other types of crackers.
In addition to being a snack food, cheese cracker crumbs are sometimes used in recipes as an ingredient, and crumbs or whole crackers are sometimes used as a garnish on various foods. Cheese crackers are also sometimes served as a side dish to accompany foods.
Examples of mass-produced commercial cheese cracker brands include Better Cheddars, Cheddars, Cheese Nips, Cheez-It and Goldfish.