If your childhood did not consist of Wheat Thins® and cheese, did you even have a childhood? In my case, I take pure delight in knowing this snack helped shape my love of crackers as I was growing up. Even now, I am a huge fan of crunchy, delectable crackers dipped into hummus, guac, and nut-cheeses (see my love for sweet potato crackers here); however, some crackers are better than others.
While most are pure deliciousness in a snack, some of these aren't as good, nutrition-wise; different oils, added sugars, refined flours, and excess sodium levels make them less ideal as an everyday thing, and more so for moderate snacking. Nonetheless, there are a myriad of healthy options out there, and I believe I have found the most delicious one: Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers.
Taste Level: 100%
At first, I was a bit skeptical to try these, as I had my fair share of crackers in the last couple of years, and my standards were extremely high, you can say. However, it was definitely love at first bite...and the love continued on with each and every bite after that. These crackers come in a bunch of flavors; the first I tried was the Fine Ground Sea Salt. This flavor is like eating a delicious, crunchy garlicky crouton, but flattened. And when dunked into creamy hummus...I drool every single time.
The others are just as good, if not better. The Farmhouse Cheddar is a healthified, glorious, grown-up Cheez-It®, and the Cracked Black Pepper and Rosemary & Sea Salt are the perfect blend of savory and spicy...they go perfectly with a fall-themed soup or curry. Don't even get me started on the Smoky BBQ Cheddar...Doritos® nostalgia, anyone? And of course, Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil tastes like taking a one-way trip to Italy and basking in the Tuscany sunset while eating from a cheese and pesto platter. I'm not even exaggerating.
Good for your Taste Buds...and Your Body
Is it even a surprise that beyond their amazing taste, one of the top reasons I'm in love with them is because of their nutrition profile? The ingredients list for Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers is one you generally will not find in typical crackers. Refined flour and sugars are completely skipped, making this snack kind for your blood sugar levels, keeping them balanced, exactly how they always desire to be. Additionally, they contain a variety of nuts and seeds that contain heart-healthy polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, fiber, and plant-based protein; these make up the bulk of the crackers.
Read the ingredients list for yourself and have your pupils enlarge like mine did the first time I read it. For example, the ingredients for the Sea Salt flavor (the other flavors have the same list except for the additional flavors, such as organic cheese, black pepper, BBQ blend, etc.) are: Almond, Sunflower Seed, and Flaxseed Flour Blend, Tapioca, Cassava, Organic Sunflower Oil, Sea Salt, Organic Onion, Organic Garlic, Rosemary Extract.
Forever thankful that in 2019, we are lucky to find products that not only taste good, but keep you running at your best all day without dramatic blood sugar fluctuations, keep you satiated due to the fiber, protein, and fat content, and also keep your gut microbiome happy (hello, garlic and onions, also known as prebiotic fiber/food for the thriving little bugs in your intestine that aid in keeping you healthy).
Impossible to Get Bored of Them
I have genuinely found that there is no such thing as too much of these crackers. They can be enjoyed in so many different ways, which prevents you from getting bored with your snacking (or meals!), and keeps your food time fun, delicious, and inviting.
Some ideas to get your creative juices flowing are dipping them into your favorite hummus, guacamole, nut cheese, cream cheese, olive tapenade, pesto, or tuna salad. They also make great company to a warm bowl of soup or curry. Want to get even cooler and make you a celebrity among children? Blend or process these crackers and use them as the breading to make baked or air-fried chicken nuggets or fish fingers.
Or, if you're like me, you can also enjoy them alone, straight out of the bag. (Traveling? Find their small, travel-size bags! Yes, this company has thought of absolutely everything to make our lives easier.) For more recipe ideas, go on Simple Mills' site!
Where to Find - Grab 'Em Now!
It's safe to say this gluten-free, vegan, and Kosher snack is a winner all around; they have it all, and I know I'll continue eating and recommending these for as long as possible! I've found these beauties at Costco (huge pack, my favorite), on their Website, on Amazon, at Whole Foods, and Publix. Use their store locator to find crackers near you!
And while you're at it, don't forget to check out other Simple Mills products by following them on social media. They have a giant collection of healthy waffle, pancake, cake, muffin, and bread mixes, as well as soft-baked cookies, bars, and sprouted crackers. You won't be disappointed!
It really is as simple as Simple Mills.