Graham Cracker Substitute

For the perfect graham cracker substitute, explore this comprehensive list of easy alternatives that are ideal for any recipe! Never worry when you don't have graham crackers or crumbs on hand with all of these wonderful ideas ready to save the day. Best of all, many of these substitutes are common pantry items you might already have at home.

Try out these graham cracker substitutes in my key lime pie, chocolate chip cookie pie, or Christmas magic bars.

Jump to:

• 1. Digestive Biscuits
• 2. Vanilla Wafers
• 3. Shortbread Cookies
• 4. Pretzels
• 5. Almond Flour
• 6. Oats
• 7. Rice Cakes
• 8. Animal Crackers
• 9. Ritz Crackers
• 10. Homemade Graham Cracker Dough
• Can I Use Just Any Cookie as a Substitute?
• 💭 Tips For Choosing The Best Graham Cracker Substitute
• 📖 More Substitutions
• 📖 Recipe Card
• 💬 Reviews

I put together this list of the best substitutes for graham crackers to help you out. It includes everything from other types of cookies to some tasty homemade options.

Whether you need something that is healthier, gluten-free, or just different, I can guarantee that you'll find what you need. You'll get all of the crunch you need, without having to use any actual graham crackers.

1. Digestive Biscuits

If you haven't heard of digestive biscuits, they are British biscuits with a mildly sweet flavor and texture that is similar to graham crackers. They work wonderfully for making pie crust or cheesecake.

2. Vanilla Wafers

Vanilla wafers are sweeter than graham crackers (and have a distinct vanilla flavor). Because of this, they pair wonderfully in pretty much any dessert recipe. I recommend trying them out in any dish where you'd like to add an extra hint of vanilla.

3. Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread cookies are well-known for their rich, buttery flavor and somewhat crumbly texture. They'll make a fantastic choice if you are planning on making some desserts.

You can purchase them at the store or make your own shortbread cookies at home!

4. Pretzels

Using pretzels instead of graham crackers is a great way to experiment with the flavors of your dish. Obviously, they're pretty salty, which can go well with savory recipes or be used as a tasty contrast with desserts.

5. Almond Flour

If you're in need of a gluten-free and/or low-carb choice, then almond flour makes the perfect substitute. You can use it to make a healthier (yet still delicious) homemade crust. Plus, you won't have to compromise on texture.

6. Oats

At first glance, oats might seem like an odd choice. However, you can grind them up, and they'll easily mimic the texture of crushed graham crackers.

The flavor is nutty, so they make a great choice if you want a heartier crust (with more texture).

7. Rice Cakes

If you need an option that is gluten-free, then rice cakes will work perfectly. They are light, airy, and have just a subtle flavor. You can use them in both sweet and savory recipes.

8. Animal Crackers

Animal crackers are a fun option, especially when you're cooking with the kiddos. They have a slightly sweet and mild flavor with a perfectly crunchy texture. I recommend using them for desserts.

9. Ritz Crackers

Ritz crackers have a buttery and slightly salty flavor. You can use them in more savory-type recipes.

Ritz crackers can be used as a crispy coating for your chicken or as a tasty topping for your casseroles. I have a Ritz chicken casserole and a million-dollar chicken casserole you can try and see for yourself!

10. Homemade Graham Cracker Dough

Did you know that you can even make your own graham cracker dough (without actually using graham crackers?) It's really easy to do and only requires honey, cinnamon, and almond flour.

This is a fantastic choice for anyone who wants a little more control over what you're using. You can even experiment with different spices to make it your own!

*See my recipe card down below for instructions and ingredient amounts.

💭 Tips For Choosing The Best Graham Cracker Substitute

Choosing the best replacement for graham crackers really comes down to how you intend to use them. I put together these tips to help you choose which substitute you want to try.

1. Texture: Choose a substitute that has a texture similar to that of graham crackers. This keeps everything just as crunchy or crumbly as it would have been with the original graham crackers.
2. Sweetness: Think about the overall sweetness of your other ingredients or the dish itself. Some recipes may need a sweet substitute, while others will do better with one that is not sweet.
3. Flavor: Each of these options has its own flavors (some more distinct than others). So make sure you choose one that will complement your dish.

Craving that perfect graham cracker crunch? Test out these easy alternatives, then tell me in the comments below which one worked the best!

📖 More Substitutions

Baking Substitutions
Arrowroot Powder	Buttermilk	Cream Cheese
Coconut Sugar	Cornmeal	Potato Starch
Tapioca Starch	Cornflour	Creme Fraiche
Masa Harina	Brown Sugar	Vanilla Extract
Shortening	Lemon Extract	Molasses
Eggs	Honey	Sour Cream
Almond Flour	Vegetable Oil	Baking Powder
Cornstarch	Baking Soda	Milk
Evaporated Milk	Xanthan Gum	Applesauce
Butter	Lard	Cream of Tartar
Rice Flour	Powdered Sugar	Sweetened Condensed Milk
Heavy Cream	Agave Nectar	Ricotta Cheese
Cake Flour	Nutritional Yeast	Corn Syrup
Coconut Milk	Maple Syrup	Coconut Flour
Cocoa Powder	All-Purpose Flour	Coconut Oil
Oat Flour	Meringue Powder	Marshmallow
Agar Agar	Buttermilk Powder	Yogurt
Creme de Menthe	Golden Syrup	Lingonberry Jam
Peanut Butter	Apple Pie Filling	Cranberry
Pecans	Peanuts	White Sugar
Currants	Bananas	Custard Powder
Apple Cider	Rye Flour	Self-Rising Flour
Half & Half	Mace	Walnut
Vanilla Bean	Star Anise	Unsalted Butter (for salted)

Cooking Substitutes	Herb & Spice Substitutes	Baking Substitutes
Apple Cider Vinegar	Bay Leaf	Tapioca Starch
Sesame Oil	Rosemary (Fresh & Dried)	Cornmeal
Marsala Wine	Turmeric	Potato Starch
Dijon Mustard	Celery Salt	Coconut Sugar
Horseradish	Tarragon	Buttermilk
Red Wine Vinegar	Cardamom	Brown Sugar
Masa Harina	Paprika	Arrowroot Powder
Cream Cheese	Chili Powder	Cornflour
Creme Fraiche	Cilantro	Shortening
Worcestershire Sauce		Vanilla Extract
Shallots		Lemon Extract

📖 Recipe Card

Originally published December 2, 2023