Karen Knowler, The Raw Food Coach: Flax Crackers

[MushroomedAnymore]

The FRESHNetwork has been indespinsible to me in the past, thank for all your good work...and on YouTube too!

[julietesterman]

Hi. I stumbled upon your youtube video.  I really liked it. You sound like Angela Stokes Monarch. At first the accent took a bit of getting use to, but you were thorough and pleasant. I enjoyed this video more than any other instructional video....ever! Thank you for being pleasant, but not trying to be cute or funny. You are beautiful and I hope to find more of your videos.

[ultracapacitor]

I love you!

[silverlithomes]

I"m just curious why you say that if you own an Excalibur dehydrator you should order their special sheets. What's the difference between what they sell and just regular parchment paper?

[karenknowler]

@silverlithomes Parchment paper is not reusable?

[2011Queenn]

Hi, you know i am try dong that in oven, and come in very bad, nothing look good , what you did! Sad...........................­...... So i cant doing that because i am not have a dehydrator? Thanks.

[2011Queenn]

If i doing crackers in the oven , on 117F, for how long i keep them in oven? Thanks.

[2011Queenn]

and what brand flax seeds to buy?You use yelow or broun seeds? Thanks.

[2011Queenn]

Great, i love it!

[design321]

Very nicely done. Thank you.

Good energy. 

[starshinepixie]

Do you soak your flax seeds?

[hutch8614]

Nesco also has a fine mesh screen that fits their trays for smaller food pieces. The solid tray liners are for fruit leathers and would work with the cracker making process.

[markpianoman]

Karen, I love your videos. I would have loved to show this video to my wife; however I'm trying to persuade her that we need an Excalibur dehydrator. Your comment that these crackers "could be done in the oven" would not serve my purposes very well...LOL. I just watched your son's video with the fruit bowl with ice cream -- such a good job and a very healthy looking vegetarian boy.

[madeiranislander]

If we don't own a dehydrator, we put it in the oven and set it at which temperature?

[karenknowler]

@madeiranislander Yes you can, under 117 degrees F.

[rossikins1]

can you use baking parchment in a dehydrator? I am thinking of buying one and have never used one before and they all look like the trays have large gaps in the trays.

[karenknowler]

@rossikins1 Yes you can, but if you buy an Excalibur dehydrator (recommended) you would order the Paraflexx sheets.

[kristmist]

Would the crackers spoil if you let them dry in the open air at home?

[karenknowler]

@kristmist Absolutely, they just would not dry quickly enough - or at all.

[stef6670]

Great recipe, these fill you up, not out! I'm gonna try using chia seeds. Thanks so much Karen!

[losilante]

what temperature did you set the dehydrator?

thanx for answering.

[karenknowler]

@losilante 125 degrees

[1000Passwords]

I have an allergy to tomatoes. Is there something I could substitute?

[karenknowler]

Yes, carrots or red peppers are a great alternative.

[niveacreama707]

Do you soak the dried tomatoes first?

[karenknowler]

Only if they are really dried. The ones I buy are semi-moist.

[niveacreama707]

Yes they are very dry, so I will soak them. Thank you for your answer. I really enjoy your videos. Now to try out your recipe using my new Excaliber !

I've also been using your recipe for the cashew cheese. Adding the lavender is so perfect! Even my non vegan friends loved it.

[candismorton]

I soaked the flax seed first and mixed everything in the blendtec. It overheated. WOW!

[karenknowler]

Yes, there's no need to soak the flax - in fact it can complicate things and add extra time of course.

[therawfooddiet]

Got to say your video is one of the top 10 I liked most. Keep it up!Watch also my video thanks!!

[dcpac4568]

Could I use a Vita-mix for this?

[karenknowler]

Yes, probably small amounts added at a time.

[Repeatlessness]

Do you ever soak the seeds first?

[karenknowler]

No, it's not necessary, and also creates a gelatenous gloop!

[egturbo]

you're so adorable!!!!!!

[Ma007rk]

Thank you so much for giving out not only this Recipe, But the Ingredient Measurements as well. I think you make like the 2nd person concerning a Raw food website that I have ever been on that has given not only the Recipe, But also the Measurements. Thank you so much.

[karenknowler]

You're more than welcome! Glad you are benefitting!

[pennypennypenny1]

Great video!

I tried to make flax crackers in my "round" stockli style dehydrator using baking parchment, however they stuck badly to the paper.

I can't put the mixture straight in the dehydrator with no sheeting of any kind as it is a mesh design and the mixture would go through the holes.

Maybe I could get some teflex and cut to size?

Any suggestions appreciated :)

[karenknowler]

I always recommend people buy the Teflex (now called Paraflexx) and do exactly that. It's really the only way that works.

[rawinhawaii]

Aloha Karen,

I don't have any fresh tomatoes, I do have sundried, what can I use in place of the fresh tomatoes? I am new at dehydrating!

Thanks!!

I am so disappointed that I missed you when you were here in Hawaii, I did not know you were coming other wise I would have came to see you. ;( Next time!!

Warm Aloha's,

Cynthia

[karenknowler]

Hi Cynthia! You can use red bell peppers or carrot in place of the fresh tomatoes. Sometimes they taste even better!

[XbitternessXbarbieX]

These would be good with some basil in them ... for tomato basil crisps :)

[anileekayne]

made these last night--fantastic!!!

[lynnmarie0123]

i think your site is AWESOME your awsome, what your doing is awesome, raw food here i go!!

[bonnie0128]

I do not have flax seed but I have flax meal - would that work ok in this application or would it get too slimy or something? I have had a lot of epic failures trying to use flax but these look simple and delicious. I am not a raw-food-ist but I believe when eating healthy we can borrow ideas from disciplines across the board. Thanks for sharing many great recipes and instructionals. I can't wait to try the almond milk too!

[karenknowler]

Flax meal would be fine I think... I have used ground flax seed before (that I have ground myself), so can't see why not!

[TB303]

Is there another grain or seed that makes the gelatinous affect of flax seeds. I love sun dried tomatoes and seed crackers but they are just not consistent enough without the flax seed and the flax seed do havoc with my intestines. Thanks for your help.

[pammturner]

Salba seeds do the same as flax. You can get them in the Health Food store.

[pammturner]

Thank you Karen, these crackers look great, will make them tomorrow. I make nut patties and fruit patties in the dehydrator but this is the first seed craker I will make. Thank you for sharing.

[janecornelius]

What am I doing wrong; I find my flax crackers slimy??

[karenknowler]

Sounds like you are not drying them long enough. They need to be cripsy

[mbrook73]

This will be my first recipe as soon as my dehydrator gets here! Can't wait!

[michellerobin1979]

I think your my twin from across the ocean! Only you are prettier!!!

[chillkk4health]

wow this is a great instructional video to make flax crackers. If any of you don't have time to make these crackers, Kathy's Krackers make some great flax crackers. They even have an apple cinnamon kind for the sweet tooth in all of us and they are coming out with a chocolate-coconut kind eventually. YUM YUM

[pattirose4]

After watching this vid I am definitely buying a dehydrator! Does the sheet that you put the mixture on come with most dehydrators or do I need to buy a couple separately?

Love your how to's, it's one thing to read about this stuff on a forum but to see someone make almond milk, raw crackers, sprouts, wheat grass, etc - you make it look sooooo easy I think I could even do it!

YOU ROCK!!

[phoggee]

If I wanted to try these in the oven, what temperature would I use (don't have a dehydrator yet). I tried to make them but they turned sour before they were ready. I guess the temp was to low.

[karenknowler]

Depends what kind of oven; it can be very hit or miss. 118 is enzyme killing temp, that's 48 deg C.

[beatricejohnston]

I received my excalibur and made this recipe from the video! The crackers turned out delicious, my husband and best friend loved them too! Thanks so much. I have been spending waaaay too much money buying them from the store.

[mmx1346]

Hey Karen,

What kind of food processor do you recommend? I have a vita-mix, but I don't want to pulverize all of my foods lol! Which food processor will work well with a raw diet? Love your videos, thanks!

[racheljacksonsoc]

Everyone I know talks about the VitaMix. I'm going to buy one ASAP.

[nicecubestore]

UPS is bringing my Excalibur this Friday!!!! this is the first recipe i'm gonna try - i can't wait! thanks, Karen! you're lovvvvely <3

ricky

[2008Raw2008]

I've made "mexican" flax crackers with a tub of organic fresh salsa and ground flax seed. (make it a bit more watery so it spreads thinner.

Yum!

[canadianwargod]

do you soak the flax seeds first? I always soak any nut or seed to get rid of the enzyme inhibitors. If I do this will it still dehydrate ok?

[goobygirll]

You can make crackers with just veggies and some raw tahini, sesame seeds, buckwheat, sprouted rye, sprouted wheat, lots of options.

[gromon85]

hi karen, thanks for the fast reply. :-)

What about hemp seeds? Do you reckon I could use them instead of flax seeds?

[gromon85]

hey, i have two questions concerning this recipe.

1. Can it be done with the Stockli dehydrator?

2. I have a food intolerance to flaxseed. What can I use instead?

Thanks a lot...

[karenknowler]

1) Yes, but they have a circle in the middle so you'll have to cut shapes first and lay on separately. 2) You can use buckwheat (sprouted) or different types of seeds. Pumpkin seed crackers are yummy.

[mandikaake]

I do not have an adequate food dehydrator. Can you tell me what temp I'd need to turn my oven on and for how long I'd need to bake them?

[karenknowler]

Works best with gas oven set lower than 118 deg F, and ideally door ajar. Keep them in until crisp both sides.

[mandikaake]

Thank you very much:)

[joyisaware]

ha i thought you were using sesame seeds but i guess u used the golden flax seeds instead of the regular brown ones, looks delicious, cant wait to make them, thanks for sharing.

[54spiritedwill54]

those looks really great!!!

[chapinaprincess]

amazing. ! thanks alot

[IndependentlyHealthy]

Yummm! Thanks Karen! :)

[DameonWolfDemon]

Thanks Karen, making these right now! :)

[lezlieprapra]

thanks for posting this vid... you look a bit like chloe sevigny

[ameliabedelia99]

she does!

[shealways]

really well explained karen, thanks

[gressywick]

these are in my dehydrator now. i couldnt resist and ate a little bit before they were ready! really really good! thoroughly recommended. and easy to do even in my rubbish cheap food processor.

[crystallic85]

All of your How to- videos are AMAZING!!

You have such talent for organizing and plan in order to be as educational as possible, such a flow in your videos, and it makes one very much inspired and all the boundaries or difficulties one has made up with all of this raw food preparing just goes away, and cooking has never seemed easier! I am SO grateful for you sharing your practical knowledge in this topic, I am really learning and I wished you could have your own cooking show someday! Thank you!

[hihorosie]

This was extremely easy to put together and the crackers came out great! Thanks!

[LaVandaNoir]

Look delicious, have to try! Thanks, Karen!

[hopey2540]

going to try this now looks yum!!!!

Thanks Karen Alana from Oz xxx

[GuildOfAbundance]

Mmmm looks yummy. Thank you.

[hero28]

hay theree, my names Jason  Knowler.... related?

[rawgypsy]

raw food vs standard diet is like

the difference between day and night.

viva raw natural sun baked foods!!

Thanks Karen for a great bread substitute.

[karenknowler]

Questions answered... When did I first start cooking? I never learned to cook, but I learned how to start making raw foods in 1993. Much easier than cooking! Flax seeds: No I don't soak first, that is not necessary and also takes additional time! Other methods: Oven - see earlier post above. Best wishes to all ~ Karen

[vrajavala]

I'm in the states. I heard that the dehydrators are quite expensive. any other method?

[schwimmenklavier]

You can either put the food in your oven on the lowest possible setting, or try to pick up a beef jerky maker (which is pretty much the same thing as a dehydrator) at a secondhand store.

[thrivesurvive]

thank you for this video. do you soak your flax seeds first?

[fiash2001]

thankyou for sharing ur ideas i love cooking and i can't wait to try cooking all the things u have it looks so good. when did u frist start cooking???

[religionLobotomy]

Oh thanks Karen!! I get my ones from Witrose and always soak them.

Off Topic but I was disappointed that I missed you in London last week. Would have really loved to come and hear the talks. Hope to go to an event soon and meet loads of Raw foodies!! Much lovex

[karenknowler]

At present I use the "Mechant Gourmet" ones available in supermarkets. Just sundried toms and salt - you can soak a lot of the salt out if you prefer. Just soak in pure water for an hour or two and squeeze!

[religionLobotomy]

Thank you, Karen. This was really really useful. I know people say it is so simple to do but, there is always one or two things that I was unsure of so thanks for the step by step recipe! You answered it all! I just wish you could get Sun dried tomatoes in london without all the added yuckiness!!

Cant wait to make these!!

[BrothaEsau]

Very very very tasty!!!!!!! Something I've been craving for a while! Guac, Flax crackers yummmmy :)

[GypsyArdor]

Karen! I didn't know you have videos here on YouTube! I'm adding you to my subscription list. Thanks so much for sharing your work! Lots of love to you, Gypsy

[mountainmmama]

those looks really great!!! thanks for the video.

[karenknowler]

Yes I do. I swear by it : )

[2wildchildzmom]

Yum, can't wait to try this recipe!

Do you use the excalibar dehydrator?

[juusan77]

this is a very useful dehydrator mini-tutorial. :)

[newutuber3]

thanks for sharing your secrets Karen. If you don't have a dehydrator, what oven temp and how long to make these?

[karenknowler]

You're welcome : )

I have never made these in an oven personally, but I know others who have. You just need to bear in mind that cooking temperature is 48 dg C (117F) and keep it below that. You'll have to check periodically to see how they are drying out, but very roughly 3-4 hours each side, depending on how thick you make them... Good luck!