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We love our crackers around here. Done right, they can be  delicious crunchy healthy snack alternatives to deep fried foods that tax your energy!

Crackers are actually really simple to make and it doesn’t take up much time in the kitchen.

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Here is what I’m using in this recipe + the health benefits:

Oat flour: oats are very grounding to the nervous system as they are rich in many minerals like manganese, iron, copper, zinc, magnesium and phosphorus. They also provide a source of some B vitamins (Folate, B1, & B5) and a provide us with a source of slow burning carbohydrates, soluble fibre called  beta-glucan to support healthy cholesterol levels, and protein. You can make oat flour by simply grinding up whole oats in your coffee grinder or blender. It’s great for baking because it binds well like wheat flour, but it’s naturally gluten free.

Chickpea flour: chickpeas are another source of minerals needed for energy, like iron, copper, and magnesium plus a great source of folate & B6. They offer a source of carbohydrates & protein, and support healthy digestion by providing 12.5gr of fibre per cup to support the growth of healthy microflora. This is a great flour to use when you are looking to up your protein and reduce grains in your diet.

Thyme: this culinary herb is most well known for supporting the immune system due to its anti-bacterial & anti-fungal properties + it’s packed with nutrients needed by the body like vitamins A & C and the mineral iron. Due to a constituent called carvacrol found in thyme, it may positively affect mood as it impacts our serotonin & dopamine levels.

Nutritional yeast: this is a type of yeast that is used in many vegan dishes as a cheese alternative. It is naturally rich is many B vitamins and offers a source of protein, making it great for energy.

Medicinal mushrooms: are a class of edible fungi that are used to help the body adapt to stressors of all kinds ~ physical, chemical, and biological. Each type of medicinal mushroom has its own unique properties and benefits to support homeostasis. Most commonly, medicinal mushrooms are utilised to enhance immune, hormonal, & cognitive health due to their high antioxidant content & adaptogenic properties. The fruiting body of the mushrooms offer the greatest health benefit potential so you’ll want to choose mushroom brands that are free from fillers & high in Beta-D-glucans.

In this recipe I’m using a mushroom blend called Balance by Eversio Wellness that contains:

Reishi – is a great choice for when you feel chronically overwhelmed & need deep nourishment for your overtaxed adrenals. It gives you a sense of calm and helps you get into a deeper, more rejuvenating sleep. Reishi is also a source of powerful antioxidants to clear toxins & reduce inflammation.

Lion’s Mane – well known for it’s nervous system rejuvenation and mood support for depression and anxiety. It supports repair & regrowth of nerve cells, reduction in neuroinflammation & improved cognitive function.

Maitake & Shiitake – for when you’ve been pushing yourself too hard & need extra love & support for your immune system, blood sugar, & inflammatory response, which can all take a hit when we are under loads of stress.

To try medicinal mushrooms and get the highest quality benefits, check out Eversio Wellness organic mushroom extracts. I have been using the Balance, Chill, and Awaken blend for the past 3 months and absolutely loving the results. I feel calmer, more focused, and have a lot more energy.  You can use my affiliate code (ANNALIISA15) to save 15% at checkout.

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Cheesy Oat Crackers Infused with Thyme + Medicinal Mushrooms

3/4 cup oat flour

1/4 cup chickpea flour

1/4 tsp baking powder

1 Tbsp nutritional yeast

1 tsp dried thyme

1/4 tsp sea salt

1 tsp Balance Mushroom powder blend

1/3 cup water

Topping:

1 tsp coconut oil

1/8 tsp dried thyme

How to make:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425ºF (220ºC)
  2. In a medium bowl, stir together the oat and chickpea flours, baking powder, nutritional yeast, powdered mushrooms, sea salt and dried thyme. Mix in the water and knead a few times with your hands, adding additional water if needed to form a cohesive dough.
  3. Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll it out until the dough is approximately one to two millimeters thick.
  4. Cut the dough into approximately two-inch squares and transfer on the baking sheet with the bottom layer of the parchment paper. Poke each cracker with a fork, brush with the oil, and top with a sprinkle of dried thyme.
  5. Bake the crackers for 15 minutes until crispy and golden around the edges. Let cool completely on the baking sheet. Enjoy!

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6270539/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6982118/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5987239/