Crackers

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Cheds (Arnott’s) bites back in crackers review

Is there a more iconic snack than cheese on crackers? Dip and crackers? Or that sweet combination of peanut butter and banana on crackers? You get it. Crackers make for a cracking bite. Whether you like subtle-in-flavour water crackers, crispbreads or good ol’ buttery baked crackers, there’s a snacky delight for every person and occasion. Almost a quarter of our survey respondents (21%) generally bring cheese and crackers as an amuse-bouche to a social event, while nearly half (46%) said they always stock up on crackers during their regular grocery shop. But, with so many options available, it’s hard to know which brands stack up and which don’t. That’s where we come in.

To find out, we asked more than 1,800 Australian consumers for their feedback on the different brands of crackers they’ve purchased from a supermarket or grocer and consumed in the last three months. Survey respondents were asked to rate brands on taste, texture, value for money, packaging design, variety and overall satisfaction. Brands that met the minimum required survey sample size of 30 responses are included in the results.

Our 2021 crackers review featured a whopping 20 brands, but only one cracked the ratings as best for overall satisfaction – Cheds (Arnott’s). It achieved an almost perfect five-star spread, earning full marks in most research categories.

Best Crackers

Here are the best cracker brands in Australia, as rated by consumers in Canstar Blue’s 2021 review:

1. Cheds (Arnott’s)
2. Damora (ALDI)
3. Shapes (Arnott’s)
4. The Natural Cracker Co
5. Salada (Arnott’s)
6. Savoy (Arnott’s)
7. Ritz
8. Clix (Arnott’s)
9. Vita-Weat (Arnott’s)
10. Sakata
11. Peckish
12. Carr’s
13. Always Fresh
14. Jatz (Arnott’s)
15. Fantastic Delites
16. Fantastic
17. Woolworths
18. Captain’s Table
19. Coles

Cheds was one of several Arnott’s brands that gave a cracking performance in our latest review, achieving five stars for overall satisfaction. Most other brands brought four-star reviews to the table, such as Damora (ALDI), Ritz and Peckish. Meanwhile, a handful of brands dipped on three stars overall, including Jatz (Arnott’s), Fantastic Delites, Fantastic, Woolworths, Captain’s Table and Coles.

Despite Cheds taking the top spot, it’s worth mentioning that several brands still enjoyed a slice of five-star success in some categories. ALDI’s Damora rated best for value for money, similar to Shapes when it came to variety. The Natural Cracker Co, Ritz and Peckish also got full marks for texture, with The Natural Cracker Co and Ritz additionally scoring the same result for taste. The latter two brands again saw five-star reviews for packaging design, alongside Shape. What a mouthful!

Crackers Compared

Cheds (Arnott’s)

An Arnott’s creation, Cheds is an original flavour of crisp crackers, claimed to be baked with real cheddar and Pecorino cheese. It’s the ultimate snack for cheese lovers. The Cheds range is available for purchase at Coles and Woolworths, and from independent supermarkets.

• Cheds scooped up five-star reviews for taste, texture, packaging design and overall satisfaction. The two exceptions were value for money and variety, where it got four stars.

Damora (ALDI)

Damora is ALDI’s homebrand of savoury snacks and crackers, available exclusively from the discount supermarket. Damora’s crackers range includes ‘crispetts’, corn cakes, crispbreads, water and rice crackers, as well as wholegrain crackers and biscuits. Each variety comes in original and classic flavours like chicken, cheese and salt and vinegar.

• Damora (ALDI) rated best for value for money, before scoring four stars in most other research areas including taste, texture, packaging and overall satisfaction. It got three stars for variety.

Shapes (Arnott’s)

Everybody knows Shapes! It’s Arnott’s most popular line of savoury biscuits which first hit Aussie supermarket shelves back in the 1950s. Today, the Shapes range offers the widest variety of cracker textures and flavours such as barbecue, chicken crimpy, cheddar, pizza and cheese & bacon.

• Shapes rated best for variety and achieved an extra five-star review for packaging design. It received four stars everywhere else, such as taste and overall satisfaction.

The Natural Cracker Co

Oven-baked and made with 100% real ingredients, crackers from The Natural Cracker Co are claimed to contain no artificial colours, flavours or added preservatives. They are said to taste great naturally and come in a variety of deli-style flavours such as honey soy chicken, farmhouse cheddar, sour cream and chives, sea salt and vinegar and special burger sauce.

• The Natural Cracker Co impressed on taste, texture and packaging design, earning itself five stars in each category. It also got four stars for value for money, variety and overall satisfaction.

Salada (Arnott’s)

Arnott’s Salada crackers are said to be baked with Australian wheat and contain no artificial flavours, colours or additives. It’s apparently the perfect crispbread for a healthy snack or to make an easy meal out of. Simply add cheese, avocado and tuna, and voila! Salada’s crackers come in three simple flavours – original, wholemeal and light (97% fat-free).

• Salada achieved four-star reviews in the majority of categories, including taste, texture, packaging and overall satisfaction. It got three stars for value for money and variety.

Savoy (Arnott’s)

With their tasty base and great crunch, Arnott’s Savoy crackers are versatile enough to be paired with any spreads or toppings or to simply enjoy on their own. Savoy crackers are baked and not fried, supposedly making them a healthier snack option.

• Savoy earned four stars across most of the board, including for taste, texture, packaging and overall satisfaction. It scored three stars for value for money and variety.

Ritz

Whether you stack them, dip them, or top them with your favourite spread, it’s hard to go wrong with Ritz. The brand offers a wide variety of crackers from original oven-baked biscuits, to crispy thins, fresh stacks and Ritz bits.

• Ritz scored five-star reviews for taste, texture and packaging design. It also rated four stars for value for money and overall satisfaction, plus three stars for variety.

Clix (Arnott’s)

Clix is the original buttery cracker of the Jatz range by Arnott’s. It’s the savoury snack of many childhood memories and still an Aussie favourite today. Clix crackers’ subtle flavour and texture make them the ideal snack to pair with cheese, dips and table spreads.

• Clix maintained four stars in most areas, including taste, texture, value for money, packaging design and overall satisfaction. It got three stars for variety.

Vita-Weat (Arnott’s)

Vita-Weat is another cracker of the Arnott’s family, made from 100% natural ingredients and packed full of seeds and grains. It’s said to be the perfect crispy, healthy addition to any entertaining platter. The Vita-Weat range offers various multigrain and sesame and poppy seed flavour options.

• Vita-Weat achieved four-star reviews for the majority of research categories, such as taste and overall satisfaction. It scored three stars for value for money and range variety.

Sakata

Sakata is marketed as the perfect work break snack. It’s also the iconic rice cracker behind one of the most famous jingles in Aussie advertising history, ‘Sa…ka…ta’. The Sakata range includes traditional and wholegrain rice crackers which are said to contain no artificial flavours, colours, preservatives or added MSG.

• Sakata had an even four-star spread across all areas, such as taste, texture, value for money and overall satisfaction.

Peckish

Peckish rice crackers are thinner, lighter and crispier than other run-of-the-mill crackers. That’s what makes them the perfect snack if you’re feeling, you know, peckish. The brand offers traditional rice crackers, plus puff bites and snack bags. There’s also the Fancies range, which includes flavours like tomato & basil and parmesan & herbs, as well as crackers made with brown rice, white rice and vegetable flavours.

• Peckish rated five stars for texture and four stars everywhere else, such as taste, variety, packaging, value for money and overall satisfaction.

Carr’s

From big celebrations to casual get-togethers, Carr’s believes everything is better with its cracker selection on a platter. These are claimed to be made from natural ingredients and contain no artificial flavours or colours, so nothing can interfere with the taste of your favourite toppings and pairings. The Carr’s range offers subtle flavour options like sesame, cracked pepper and rosemary.

• Carr’s achieved four-star reviews for taste, packaging design and overall satisfaction. It got three stars everywhere else.

Always Fresh

Always Fresh has given hungry consumers a taste of the Mediterranean since 1977, dishing up different products such as antipasto, relishes, sweet biscuits, oils, vinegar and seafood. It also plates up a variety of savoury biscuits, offering both mini and full-size versions. Some options on the menu include olive oil & sea salt crustini, rosemary & garlic crustini, cheese crisps, red chilli & garlic ciabatta crackers, classic mini toasts, sea salt crispini, three seed & sea salt grissini and sesame & sea salt grissini.

• Always Fresh received four-star reviews for range variety, taste, packaging design and overall satisfaction. It scored three stars for value for money and texture.

Jatz (Arnott’s)

Arnott’s Jatz crackers (or ‘Jatz’) are an Aussie favourite thanks to their crunchy, buttery taste. They’re the perfect snack to accompany any cheese or delicatessen board, so we’re told. Jatz crackers come in an original flavour, as well as cracked pepper and Clix.

• Jatz rated four stars for taste and packaging design, plus three stars for overall satisfaction and all other research categories.

Fantastic Delites

Fantastic Delites are crinkle-cut rice crackers, seasoned with gourmet flavours to suit any occasion or mood. These include barbecue, cheddar cheese, honey-baked ham, pizza, traditional chicken, cheese and French onion, sweet potato, plus more. Fantastic Delites are gluten-free.

• Fantastic Delites earned four-star reviews for taste, value for money and packaging design. It rated three stars for overall satisfaction and everywhere else.

Fantastic

Fantastic is an Australian-owned brand of instant noodles and crackers. It offers a range of round and square rice crackers in over 15 flavour combinations, including seaweed, chicken, cheddar cheese, honey & soy, sweet chili & sour cream, plus more. Fantastic also offers vegan-friendly crackers.

• Fantastic achieved four stars for taste and value for money, before landing on three stars for overall satisfaction and in the remaining categories.

Woolworths

Woolworths takes care of your snacking needs with its homebrand line of ‘low-price’ everyday essentials for the pantry. The supermarket has a range of crackers which includes baked, water and rice crackers. Flavours include original, wholegrain, sea salt and garlic.

• Woolworths scored a four-star review for value for money, plus three stars for taste, texture, range variety, packaging design and overall satisfaction.

Captain’s Table

Captain’s Table premium water crackers are claimed to be ideal to serve with any cheeses, dips or accompaniments. Captain’s Table crackers come in flavours such as chilli salt, rosemary & thyme and classic. The brand has also recently expanded its product offering to dips.

• Captain’s Table earned a four-star review for packaging design, along with three stars for variety, taste, texture, value for money and overall satisfaction.

Coles

The Coles homebrand range is the supermarket’s line of ‘great-value’ household and pantry essentials. The private label offers a small range of crackers including crispbreads, cheese twists and water and rice crackers in classic flavours like natural, cheese and cracked pepper.

• Coles dished up a four-star rating for value for money and three stars for taste, range variety, overall satisfaction and everywhere else.

Which crackers should I buy?

This will depend on the occasion, mood and personal preference, but here are some general suggestions to seek your teeth into. Baked and water crackers tend to work well when paired with cheeses and cured meats, on a party platter, for example (wine is also strongly recommended). If you’ve got dips as your antipasto, rice crackers and cheese twists can make an ideal accompaniment as they hold their integrity for longer when you dip them into spreads. If you plan to make a meal with crackers, with some avo and tuna for example, then crispbreads should be your go-to for keeping hunger pains at bay.

Our survey found almost a quarter of people (23%) buy the cheapest brand (or whichever is on special), while 20% stick to ‘light’ or healthy crackers. Meanwhile, 41% of people we surveyed generally buy the same brand and the same amount (41%) have ventured into trying different flavours.

Lastly, our survey revealed that taste is the biggest driver of satisfaction for shoppers when buying crackers. This was followed by texture and value for money. Something to keep in mind when you’re next down the cracker aisle at the supermarket.

About the author of this page

This report was written by Canstar Blue’s home & lifestyle journalist, Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito. She’s an expert on household appliances, grooming products and all things grocery and shopping. In addition to translating our expert research into consumer-friendly ratings reports, Tahnee spends her time helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services, while highlighting the best deals and anything you need to be aware of.

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Picture credits: Oksana Mizina / Shutterstock.com, / Nataliya Arzamasova/ Shutterstock.com.