We Ranked 15 Popular Crackers, and Julia Child's Favorite Topped the List

Not to food shame, but I've long been on the whole-grain, plant-forward bandwagon for personal health reasons. So, when I got pregnant with both of my kids, I figured I'd have them hop on it with me from the moment they started solids.

The best-laid plans, right? While we certainly offer them plenty of fruits, veggies and other pediatrician and dietician-recommended foods, they've developed a healthy love of snack crackers (or, as my toddler refers to them, "Googas.").

There's no shame in my cracker game. After all, I ate Goldfish crackers as an afterschool snack growing up and still do as an adult. However, experts always told me to have my kids "eat the rainbow" and "provide variety."

Eating the rainbow is a bit rough with crackers, but variety? There's a good bit of it in the cracker aisle. So, we've tried some different popular and under-the-radar crackers at my house. As caregivers to kids (and those who spend time with them), we know toddlers have zero filters. They're blunt, making my son, though not even two, an even more reliable source than even the fiercest of food critics. Plus, he has zero potential affiliations with brands, so he's unbiased (like me).

We crunched and crumbled our way through many boxes to create this list: 15 popular snack crackers ranked from worst to best. Read on for all the salty details on what to reach for (and what to avoid).

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15 Crackers, Ranked From Worst to Best

15. Wasa Multi-Grain Crispbread

I gave Wasa Crackers a go a while back because they were billed as a "healthier" option. Opting for construction paper likely would have been a better option. The crackers are bland and dry and don't stay together. It's an all-around no for me. I haven't bothered introducing them to my kids—I like them too much (my kids, not the crackers).

14. Carr's Table Water Crackers

I tried putting these out for parties because I wanted to feel fancy and adult. Surely, Carr's "Table Water Crackers" have to be better than your average Ritz, right? Perhaps with a cheese plate and some so-grown-up table wine (for the adults in the room, obviously)? I was so wrong. These don't taste fancy at all, and my 3-year-old is a vocal critic of these (my toddler responds by throwing them to the dogs). They remind me of communion wafers back when I went to church, but there's nothing holy about them. I only put what we have left (a lot) when we have a specific type of company.

13. Premium Saltine Crackers

The only reason my kids have gotten a taste of saltines is because I'm the type of person who orders soup on 90-degree days. Saltines are standard side. That said, the crackers are merely "meh." Plus, they break ridiculously easily, which as parents of young kids know, can trigger a meltdown. ("It all tastes the same" does not work in this situation.)

12. Carr's Rosemary Crackers

These are slightly better than the original, thanks to the rosemary and olive oil flavoring. Although these have more color and flavor than the "First Communion" Carr's cracker option, we're still not fans. Despite what the packaging says, I don't find them rich or savory.

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11. Wheat Thins

Wheat Thins are just fine, which can be a pro or con. The classic snack cracker is rather bland, to be honest. As a result, Wheat Thins don't hit the same as some of the more flavorful ones on this list. Even other plain options pack more of a punch, whether it's from salt, texture or thickness (as the name implies, Wheat Thins are thin).

10. Kellogg's Town House Flatbread Crisps Sea Salt and Olive Oil

Not the biggest winner with my kids, and to be fair, Kellogg's Town House Flatbread Crisps Sea Salt and Olive Oil are a bit bland and dry (but not as dry as the Original Flatbread Crisps, which didn't make this list). Still, I enjoy them, especially with something like hummus or spinach and artichoke dip.

9. Triscuit Original Crackers

Triscuit Original Crackers with Easy Cheese was the hiking snack of choice growing up. They haven't landed quite the same with my kids, who prefer some of the other picks ranked higher on the list. The shredded, hay-like texture definitely separates Triscuit's plain crackers from the rest of the pack, which can be a good thing or not, depending on your cracker preferences. Still, I thinkthe crackers pair well with spreads and most cheeses, making them a worthy grocery-store pick for charcuterie boards.

8. Ritz Garlic Butter Crackers

I was last week years old when I tried Ritz Garlic Butter Crackers for the first time, and I adore them. The buttery flavor is a bit sweet, and the pungent garlic adds a burst of flavor that differentiates these crackers from the plain originals. However, they have the same flaky, crispy texture as a classic Ritz. The only drawback is the bad breath factor.

7. Trader Joe's Organic Garlic Naan Crackers

For a crispy riff on Naan Bread, reach for Trader Joe's Organic Garlic Naan Crackers. A cult favorite among Trader Joe's enthusiasts, these crackers are lightly seasoned with garlic, parsley and sea salt and have Naan-bread-inspired bubbles and char marks. They're just perfect with piping-hot soups or warm brie spreads.

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6. Kellogg's Town House Original Crackers

Kellogg's and other brands have come out with "dippable" crackers, but trust that these originals dip just fine. The light crackers are easy to spread hummus or cheese on and pair perfectly with anything on a cheese plate. That said, these crackers don't need any "help" from add-ons. The slightly buttery flavor makes Kellogg's Town House Original Crackers delicious, just the way they are. Still, these crackers play second-fiddle to the runner-up on this list (spoiler alert!).

5. Goldfish Flavor Blasted Xtra Cheddar Crackers

A carton of the Goldfish Flavor Blasted Xtra Cheddar Crackers didn't last a week in my house. Sharper than the original, the "flavor blasting" also includes what feels like a dusting of extra salt or cheese on the cracker, giving it additional texture. If you love extra-sharp cheddar, stockpile these.

4. Keebler Cheese and Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers

Surprised to see these in the top five? I get it. However, here's the thing about food: It's not just fuel. It's about the nostalgia. The perfect chocolate chip cookies. A secret family recipe for stuffing (or dressing?). For me, Keebler Cheese and Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers are right up there with both of those. They were a pantry staple for my father. Though he passed in 2019, every time I bite into the salted cheese-flavored crackers with a creamy peanut butter filling, I think of road trips, hikes and afternoons spent watching football.

3. Cheez-It Original

If you're keeping score, cheese and salt are winning combos for my family (maybe it's a genetic thing?). Cheez-Its have everything you'd want in a snack cracker. The granules of salt add flavor and also a fun texture. The small enough size makes it easy to grab a ton and stuff your face on your way out the door (late, again). For the littles, the crackers are big enough for tinier hands to manipulate. The sharp(ish) cheddar is another winner (and helps them pair perfectly with vino — trust me). But the secret sauce is the slightly burnt flavor, which must have come during the "baking" process.

2. Ritz Original Crackers

While other versions of Ritz have their place, the original reigns supreme. These flaky, circular crackers have a touch of sweetness but also satisfy your salty cravings. What I love most about Ritz is that they're as versatile as a blank canvas. They're good for a quick grab-and-go snack (necessary when chasing kids or trying to help them refuel) and the original Ritz shines with various spreads, especially of the kid-friendly variety (cheese and peanut butter). In our house, we're more impressed by a cheese board with plain Ritz than water crackers, and we're not the only ones. The family-sized Ritz Orignal Crackers is an Amazon best-seller with 4.8 stars.

1. Goldfish Crackers (Cheddar)

We love fishies because they're so delicious. Growing up, I was a Goldfish cracker enthusiast. One of my best friends still brings them instead of anything "fancier" every time we hang out. But speaking of fancy, I'll remind you that Julia Child herself often served Goldfish crackers to her guests as a cocktail nibble.

Some of the Instagram parenting accounts I follow are not fans of these crackers. And hey, you control your grocery list. However, my toddler adores Goldfish, and I get a kick out of it. No other option has him singing his fishy song (read: screaming "more Googas") than these tiny, slightly salty little fish. In fact, the only reason I finished this story is because of these crackers. It's convenient, too, because he's essentially my fifth limb, meaning I get to sneak a few crackers from his bowl when he sits on my lap to eat. For now, you can find me stealing Goldfish from a baby off his high chair tray.

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