Graham | Saltine | Animal | Wheat | Peanut
Top graham cracker brands
#1. Nabisco Honey Maid
The Brand: Nabisco’s Honey Maid remains the standard of the graham cracker industry. The company first sold graham crackers in 1898. The Honey Maid name was added 27 years later. The brand wanted to create a wholesome, traditional image and continues to market Honey Maid as a pure, sentimental product. Nabisco advertisements include family-friendly and child-centered imagery.
Need To Know: From their humble beginnings in 1925, Nabisco’s Honey Maid graham crackers have remained a consumer favorite. This brand accounts for more than 49% of all graham cracker purchases. They are considerably sweeter than original graham crackers.
#2. Teddy Grahams – Honey Flavor
The Brand: Teddy Grahams – Honey Flavor is made by Mondelēz International. The product was originally developed by Nabisco in 1988 to market the crackers to children. The cute bear shape and sweet honey taste appeal to both little kids and adults.
Need To Know: Although honey is the most popular flavor, Teddy Grahams do come in a variety of tastes. Many fans love chocolate and cinnamon Teddy Grahams. The company has also introduced soft-baked Teddy Grahams and other novelties. Some varieties are vegan. However, Teddy Grahams – Honey Flavor is not due to the addition of honey.
#3. Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Baked Graham
The Brand: Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Baked Graham cookies are part of a huge cracker empire. Goldfish crackers come in many flavors including cheddar, sour cream, pretzel, pizza, and chocolate. The Goldfish cracker was designed in Switzerland in 1958. In 1962, Pepperidge Farm acquired the rights to use the “Goldfischli” design and started a product line based on the concept. These snacks are very popular with children as well as adults.
Need To Know: Consumers who crave variety will find many delicious options of Goldfish crackers available. Goldfish Baked Grahams come in vanilla cupcakes, fudge, and S’mores flavors. Creative diners can mix and match graham flavors to create unique tastes. Goldfish Baked Grahams are free from artificial colors. Pepperidge Farm uses fruits and vegetables for coloring instead of harmful dyes.
#4. Annie’s Friends Bunny Grahams
The Brand: Annie’s Friends Bunny Grahams are part of a line of rabbit-shaped foods for children. This brand was developed to market healthy organic food to families. The goal of providing simple, reliable organic and vegetarian options is still important to the company. Alongside the bunny-shaped crackers, Annie’s sells boxed pasta, canned soup, frozen dinners, and baking mixes.
Need To Know: Annie’s products are free from corn syrup and artificial colors and are certified organic. Some varieties are suitable for vegetarians or vegans. Annie’s Friends Bunny Grahams do contain real honey and are not acceptable for children under 1 year of age.
#5 Keebler Fudge Graham
The Brand: Keebler Fudge Grahams are a popular variation on the original graham cracker. They come dipped in fudge, making them a super-sweet treat. Keebler was founded in Pennsylvania in 1853. The company is contracted to produce Girl Scout cookies. It was previously part of Kellogg’s and is now headquartered in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Need To Know: Keebler makes many varieties of cookies and baked goods, but their fudge Grahams are a fan favorite. Unlike other brands on this list, Keebler doesn’t sell a plain graham cracker. The company is famous for the chocolate-dipped graham.
Top saltine cracker brands
#6 Nabisco Premium Saltine Crackers
The Brand: Nabisco Premium Saltine Crackers come in multiple shapes for convenient cooking and snacking. The original saltine cracker is light and crispy with a dash of salt on top. The company makes oyster-shaped saltines to add to soups, stews, and chili. Health-conscious nibblers will enjoy the whole grain variety.
Need To Know: Nabisco was one of the first companies to sell saltines. The cracker was originally devised in 1792 as hardtack or pilot bread. In the 1800s, leavening was added and the result was known as saltines. Nabisco sold its first saltines in 1876. Saltines were eaten during the Great Depression and are often considered a food staple.
#7 Keebler Zesta
The Brand: Keebler is owned by Kellogg’s, so Zesta crackers are marketed under both names. Strietmann Biscuit Company was built in 1899 in Cincinnati. They developed Zesta among a variety of other cracker and snack items. In 1927, Strietmann joined the United Biscuit Company alongside Keebler and several other brands. In 1966, UBC changed its name to Keebler. Keebler was then bought by Kellogg’s in 2001. Zesta has remained a favorite over the past century.
Need To Know: Zesta crackers are certified kosher. However, they contain leavening and are not suitable for Passover or Sabbath, and are not a replacement for matzoh.
#8 Late July Classic Saltines
The Brand: Late July Classic Saltines are a fresh take on the original soda cracker. The company, which is owned by Campbell’s, uses non-GMO ingredients and primarily sells organic foods. The goal of Late July is to create a sense of nostalgia and tradition. The company’s image references home, family, and a social connection with friends and neighbors.
Need To Know: The Classics line of crackers debuted in 2003. In addition to saltines, the company offers chia & quinoa, cheddar, cheese sandwich, and peanut butter sandwich cookies. The saltine from Late July is organic and safe for vegans to consume.
#9 Back to Nature Organic Saltine
The Brand: Back to Nature opened in California in the early 1960s. The first product sold was granola. Soon the company started marketing snacks, baked goods, and sweets. The company was sold to Mondelēz International and Brynwood Partners in the 1990s. In 2017, B&G Foods acquired the Back to Nature brand and expanded its offerings.
Need To Know: Back to Nature Organic Saltines are part of a move to embrace better health and encourage the consumption of organic foods. The company offers products for a variety of lifestyles and health needs. There are options for vegan, kosher, non-GMO, and gluten-free diets.
#10 Firehook Soda Cracker
The Brand: Firehook is a family-owned company that started in 1992. The company began life as a combination bakery and coffee shop. The brand’s soda cracker and other product lines are simple and no-nonsense. The brand’s goal is to use fewer ingredients and offer a more traditional, healthy product. The company was founded by Pierre A. Abushacra and Gene Gathright. The name comes from a traditional tool used to pull loaves of bread from old-fashioned ovens.
Need To Know: Firehook’s soda cracker contains five organic ingredients: wheat, sea salt, honey, organic yeast, and olive oil. The use of organic ingredients reportedly reduces allergens and side effects commonly associated with pesticides. The website features a variety of suggested recipes.
Top animal cracker brands
#11 Nabisco’s Barnum Animals
The Brand: Before becoming Nabisco, the company was known as the National Biscuit Company. In 1902 started selling animal crackers under the name Barnum about P.T. Barnum’s popular circus. Barnum animal crackers stood out because of the many shapes they came in. Favorites replicated hippos, zebras, lions, tigers, and elephants. Most of these animals were featured in Barnum & Bailey circuses during the 20th century.
Need To Know: Until recently, Barnum Animals were marketed in specialized packaging showing each animal in an individual cage. In 2018, the company changed the packages to show free-roaming wild animals. The new-look reflects the modern emphasis on animal rights. Despite the new packaging, the recipe is the same.
#12 Annie’s Organic Animal Cookies
The Brand: Annie’s was started in 1989 by Annie Withey and Andrew Martin. The first products sold were pasta dinners. The company was sold to Solera in 2002 and in 2014 was bought by General Mills. The brand is now associated with the “Small Planet” line of products that are free from GMOs.
Need To Know: Annie’s Organic Animal Cookies are sweeter than some other brands. They are marketed as cookies, not crackers. Instead of circus animals, Annie makes animal crackers shaped like farm equipment and livestock. All ingredients are organic.
#13 Mother’s Original Circus Animals
The Brand: Mother’s Brand was started in 1914 by N.M. Wheatley. The company was named in honor of the American Holiday Mother’s Day, which was declared and recognized that same year. The company remained family-owned until 1962 when it was purchased by Archway. It is now owned by Ferrero.
Need To Know: Mother’s Original Circus Animals are frosted animal cookies, not crackers. The cookies are shaped like circus animals including elephants, tigers, and bears. This brand is much sweeter than some others on the list because they are dipped in icing. The cookies also have colorful sprinkles on top of the pink and white icing.
#14 Austin Zoo
The Brand: The Austin Quality Baking Company was originally founded in 1932 by the Utze family. It was later purchased by Kellogg’s in 1979. However, Kellogg’s felt the brand was not popular enough to move products, so baked goods were sold under other names. In 2001, Kellogg’s relaunched the brand as Austin Quality Foods. In addition to animal crackers, the company sells chips, pretzels, tortilla chips, and other snack foods under this label.
Need To Know: Austin Zoo crackers are kosher and vegetarian. This popular brand does use GMO enriched flour, which might concern some consumers.
#15 Stauffer’s Iced Animal Crackers
The Brand: Stauffer’s Biscuit Company sold the first animal crackers in the United States. The company began marketing animal-shaped cookies in 1871 after English manufacturers developed the idea. The Stauffer brand was started by David F. Stauffer and has ties to the traditional Mennonite religion. The company was family-owned until 1990. Meiji Seika now owns 51% controlling interest in the brand.
Need To Know: Stauffer’s products are made in the USA. However, the products are now distributed by Meiji Seika, a Japanese confectionary. Stauffer’s brand uses significantly less sugar and sweetener than competitor brands. It should not be mistaken for the frozen food giant Stouffer’s; the two companies are not connected.
Top wheat cracker brands
#16 Triscuit
The Brand: Consumers are divided on which tastes better, the Triscuit cracker or the competitor from Wheat Thins. However, Triscuit wins our top wheat cracker for the diversity and assortment of flavor options. This square wheat cracker was developed in 1900 by the Shredded Wheat Company of New York. Early advertisements for the brand promoted Triscuit as being baked by electric ovens. Electricity was a novelty at the time and the name Triscuit comes from a combination of the words ‘electric’ and ‘biscuit’.
Need To Know: Triscuit crackers are available in many tasty options. Favorite varieties include balsamic, cracked pepper, fire-roasted tomato, and four cheese herb. The website lists recipes for snacks, appetizers, and meals made from Triscuits.
#17 Wheat Thins
The Brand: Wheat Thins are a fan favorite beloved by hungry shoppers. This cracker was first developed in 1947 by Nabisco. The brand is now owned by Mondelēz alongside top competitor, Triscuit. The crackers are marketed as a healthy alternative to conventional snacks and contain whole wheat. There is also a multigrain option with barley, rye, millet, and oats.
Need To Know: Wheat Thins come in many interesting flavors. Top choices are tomato basil, multigrain, and ranch. These crackers are free of high-fructose corn syrup. The company uses real sugar and malt syrup for sweetening. Most varieties have 4 grams of added sugar per serving and should be consumed in moderation.
#18 Crunchmaster
The Brand: Crunchmaster’s delicious products rolled out in 2005. The company is part of TH Foods Inc. In addition to Crunchmaster crackers the brand also makes private-label crackers, snack mixes, and more. All products are made in the USA.
Need To Know: Crunchmaster crackers seem to make good on their health claims. They are gluten-free, non-GMO, and certified organic. There are vegan varieties and most are low in sugar. The factory is also peanut-free to avoid accidental allergen exposures. Crunchmaster crackers come in many great varieties. Favorites include garden vegetables, aged cheddar, ultimate seed, rosemary olive oil, and roasted garlic.
#19 Carr’s
The Brand: In 1831, Carr’s was founded by Johnathan Dodgson Carr. The English brand was purchased by United Biscuits in 1972. It is now headed by Kellogg’s. The brand image is one of refinement and tradition. Carr’s is considered an upscale brand and is often purchased for parties, gatherings, and formal occasions.
Need To Know: Since 1841, Carr’s has held the royal warrant. This means they are eligible to supply products to the royal family. Carr’s refer to their crackers as water biscuits as is common in the United Kingdom. They are made of enriched wheat and palm oil. Carr’s sells traditional, sesame, cracked pepper, roasted garlic & herb, and rosemary varieties.
#20 Mary’s Gone Crackers
The Brand: In 1994 the world was introduced to Mary’s Gone Crackers, a brand under the Kameda USA umbrella. The company image is a playful and lighthearted one. The brand is also associated with good health and clean eating. Mary’s Gone Crackers places a lot of emphasis on animal rights. All products are completely vegan and cruelty-free. The brand also promotes the concept of eating more plant-based foods instead of meat and empty calories.
Need To Know: Unlike most other entries in this group, Mary’s Gone Crackers isn’t a wheat cracker per se. Instead of wheat, the company uses rice, flax, and quinoa to produce 100% gluten-free crackers. However, the taste is similar to varieties like Wheat Thins and Crunchmaster. We suggest trying flavors like jalapeno, chipotle, super seed everything, and sea salt.
Top peanut butter cracker brands
#21 Ritz
The Brand: In 1919, Nabisco released Ritz. The crackers were named in honor of the posh hotels in Paris and London. The company intended the product to represent the good life and luxury to people facing hard times. During the Great Depression, Ritz was marketed as a way to enjoy a taste of something elegant or luxurious.
Need To Know: Traditional Ritz crackers remain the standard. Their Ritz Bits version is a miniature, bite-sized peanut butter sandwich. Ritz also sells peanut butter sandwiches made on Ritz traditional rounds or squares. The company also offers varieties like honey butter or cheese crackers with peanut butter filling.
#22 Lance Captain’s Wafers
The Brand: Lance was developed in 1913 by Phillip Lance. The company originally started as a peanut-roasting business, making their peanut butter. An early mishap created an excess of peanut butter, which the intrepid founder used to make peanut butter cracker sandwiches. Soon the company began making Captain’s Wafers, a saltine or soda cracker.
Need To Know: Lance still mixes their peanut butter with Captain’s Wafers to make this beloved product. The mix of saltine base and peanut butter creates a salty-sweet combination many consumers love. The company also offers Captain’s Wafers with peanut butter and honey for those who like this old-fashioned sweeter variety.
#23 Lance ToastChee
The Brand: Lance’s ToastChee is a variety of wheat crackers made with cheese baked in. The taste is similar to Sunshine’s Cheez-It or cheese-flavored Ritz. Lance’s fresh peanut butter is added to form a sandwich.
Need To Know: Not everyone loves the combination of cheese crackers and peanut butter. However, this product has been a lunch box staple for decades and has many loyal buyers. If peanut butter isn’t your filling of choice, ToastChee also comes in a cheese sandwich variety. Lance’s Neko is yet another variety of peanut butter crackers, this time with graham crackers on the outside.
#24 Whole Foods
The Brand: Popular shopping center Whole Foods produces its variety of peanut butter crackers. Whole Foods is a specialty grocery chain offering foods free of trans fats, dyes, and artificial preservatives. Whole Foods is owned by Amazon, the multinational shopping conglomerate. Their brand, 365, offers lower-cost alternatives to support a variety of healthy lifestyles.
Need To Know: 365 organic mini crackers with peanut butter come in a 7.5-ounce box or convenient snack packs. This product contains dairy and gluten but is organic and GMO-free. Peanut butter is quite sugary and best eaten as a dessert or sweet treat. It does contain a small amount of saturated fat.
#25 Frito Lay Munchies
The Brand: Frito Lay started in 1932. The brand’s creator, C.E. Doolin, started out making corn chips. Soon, the company rolled out more snack products. The company is well known for making chips, crackers, cookies, and more. In 1965, Frito Lay became part of Pepsi and is still owned by Pepsico.
Need To Know: The company is known for making tasty snacks and sweets. Their Munchies product line offers two types of peanut butter crackers. The first is toasted wheat crackers with peanut butter sandwich filling. The second is peanut butter between cheese crackers.
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