1. Prepare the oven and equipment: The temperature setting is important.
Preheat the oven to 175°C with the rack in the middle position. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with a clean piece of baking paper.
2. Mix dry ingredients:
In a medium bowl, mix together almond flour, chia seeds, sea salt, garlic powder, and onion powder until completely combined and large lumps form.
3. Make the dough:
Add the beaten egg and olive oil to the dry mixture. Mix thoroughly with a spatula until a cohesive ball of dough forms. If the dough seems too dry, add ½ teaspoon of water; if it is too wet, sprinkle in another tablespoon of almond flour.
4. Roll out evenly: Important for maximum crispiness.
Place the dough ball between two large sheets of parchment paper. Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough evenly into a large rectangle, approximately 3-4mm thick. Strive for absolute evenness so that the edges don’t burn while the center bakes.
5. Score and Season:
Peel off the top sheet of parchment paper. If using optional toppings (such as Everything Bagel Seasoning), sprinkle them evenly over the surface now and gently press them into the dough with your hands or a rolling pin. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough into 32 equal squares or rectangles (do not separate them yet).
6. Bake and let cool: Watch carefully during the last few minutes.
Transfer the slice of dough with the cut dough directly to the baking sheet. Bake at 175°C for 15 to 20 minutes or until the outer edges are dark brown and the center is set. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the sheet for 15 minutes to crisp the dough completely, then tear along the cut lines.
Tips for successful recipes and flavor variations
Mastering the thickness: The secret to achieving true “tear” in dough without using wheat gluten is to roll out the dough as thin as possible without tearing it.
Cheddar Herb Crackers: Stir ¼ cup finely grated sharp Cheddar cheese and ½ teaspoon dried rosemary into the dry mixture before adding the wet ingredients.
Crispy Seeded Breads: For extra texture, replace 2 tablespoons of almond flour with a mixture of whole sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds.
Shelf Life and Storage Instructions
Proper storage is key to maintaining crispness, as low-carb flours naturally absorb ambient moisture.
Room temperature: