If you’ve ever found yourself with an abundance of delicious stuffing after a grand holiday feast like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, and wondered how to give it a fresh, exciting second life, then you are in for a treat! These Leftover Stuffing Crackers are an absolute revelation. They are remarkably quick and easy to prepare, and their flavor is simply outstanding. Even if you don’t have leftover stuffing on hand right now, trust us, you’ll want to save this recipe for your next holiday meal.

Holiday dinners, especially Thanksgiving, are synonymous with ample food, and stuffing is often one of the most beloved, yet over-prepared, dishes. It’s a common scenario to have a significant amount remaining. Having a practical, delicious, and reinvented leftover stuffing recipe like this one is truly invaluable. This ingenious idea was inspired by our family’s favorite Old Fashioned Bread Stuffing – a recipe we cherish and make every year, not just out of tradition, but because it truly is the best. These unique stuffing crackers are incredibly versatile and pair wonderfully with any hearty soup. If you’re on the hunt for creative ways to utilize leftover stuffing, you are absolutely going to adore this simple yet impactful recipe!

The Joy of Holiday Leftovers (and How to Make Them Even Better)

Our Thanksgiving table is always laden with cherished family recipes: the traditional roast turkey, Grandma’s exquisite stuffing generously flavored with fresh parsley (pictured below), vibrant green beans, creamy mashed potatoes, the sweet and savory Turnip and Apple Casserole, rich gravy, tangy cranberry sauce, and, of course, a classic pumpkin pie. My family savors this meal so much that they always encourage me to prepare extra, ensuring we have a mountain of leftovers – it’s truly one of the best parts of the holiday experience.

However, despite everyone’s enthusiasm, sometimes the sheer volume of leftovers means not everything gets eaten before it’s past its prime. As someone who strongly dislikes food waste, I am constantly seeking delicious and innovative methods to transform and use up leftover ingredients. You can explore a wide array of my “Leftovers Reinvented” recipes right here, which include fantastic ideas for repurposing leftover mashed potatoes, ham, turkey, and cranberry sauce.

For a while, leftover stuffing remained a culinary challenge. I tried a leftover stuffing breakfast casserole found online, but honestly, it just wasn’t to my taste. Similarly, stuffing balls or patties didn’t quite hit the mark for my family. This constant quest for the perfect stuffing leftover solution finally spurred me to create something truly special – a recipe that my family would genuinely adore!

The inspiration for these crackers struck me unexpectedly in the middle of the night (as many great ideas often do). I immediately experimented with the concept, and to my delight, it worked flawlessly! These crispy, flavorful crackers are undeniably the best and most creative way to use up that delicious excess stuffing from your holiday meals.

🥘 Essential Ingredients for Your Stuffing Crackers

Creating these delightful stuffing crackers requires just a few simple ingredients, most of which you likely already have. Here’s what you’ll need for this brilliant leftover stuffing recipe:

• Leftover Stuffing: This is the undeniable star of our show! Your prepared holiday stuffing, with all its inherent flavors and seasonings, forms the perfect base for a deliciously unique and savory cracker. Its existing herbaceous and savory notes mean minimal extra seasoning is needed.
• Milk: Essential as a binding agent and the liquid component for our ‘dough’. It helps bring everything together into a cohesive, pliable mixture. While 1% milk is what I typically use, feel free to substitute with 2% or whole milk based on what you have available.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a wonderful depth of flavor with its characteristic tangy, salty, and cheesy notes. It contributes to the savory profile and can enhance the crispness of the crackers. Freshly grated Parmesan will offer the best taste.
• Garlic Powder: Provides an aromatic boost without introducing additional moisture, which is crucial for achieving crispy crackers. It complements the existing flavors of the stuffing beautifully.
• Egg and Water (for Egg Wash): These two ingredients combine to create a simple egg wash. Brushing this mixture onto the crackers before baking serves multiple purposes: it gives the finished product a beautiful golden-brown color and a subtle sheen, helps the crackers achieve an extra-crispy texture in the oven, and ensures the coarse salt adheres properly.
• Coarse Salt: A final flourish for both flavor and texture. Sprinkled on top before baking, it adds a delightful crunch and enhances the overall savory taste of the crackers.

Refer to the full recipe card below for exact quantities and detailed instructions.

📖 Substitutions & Creative Variations

This recipe is quite forgiving and allows for easy adjustments to suit various dietary needs or flavor preferences. Get creative with your stuffing crackers!

• Lactose or Dairy-free: If you or your guests have dietary restrictions, simply swap the regular milk for a lactose-free or dairy-free alternative like almond milk or oat milk. Ensure it’s unsweetened to maintain the savory profile. You can also omit the Parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free Parmesan substitute.
• Spicy Kick: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, consider incorporating a dash of chili pepper flakes directly into the stuffing mixture. Alternatively, a few drops of your favorite hot sauce, such as Tabasco or Sriracha, can add a vibrant, spicy twist.
• No Leftovers? No Problem!: What if you want to try these amazing crackers but don’t have leftover homemade stuffing? You can still make them! Simply use a store-bought boxed stuffing mix. If using a pre-seasoned mix, I highly recommend opting for a low-sodium version, as traditional boxed stuffing can sometimes be quite salty, and you want to control the final seasoning of your crackers. Prepare the stuffing mix according to package directions, then proceed with this cracker recipe.
• Herbaceous Boost: If your leftover stuffing is a bit mild, consider adding a pinch of dried sage, thyme, or rosemary to the cracker dough for an extra layer of savory, autumnal flavor.
• Cheesy Alternatives: Beyond Parmesan, experiment with other hard cheeses like Gruyere or aged cheddar, finely grated, for different flavor profiles.

🔪 How to Make Crispy Crackers with Leftover Stuffing

Making these flavorful crackers is surprisingly simple, following a process similar to making rolled cookies. The steps are straightforward: mix, roll, cut, and bake!

1. Prepare the Stuffing: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Take your leftover stuffing and place it in a food processor. Pulse until it forms a fine, crumb-like consistency. This step is crucial for creating a smooth ‘dough’ that will roll out evenly.
2. Form the Dough: Transfer the finely crumbed stuffing to a large mixing bowl. Add the milk, garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese. Mix everything together thoroughly, either with your hands or a sturdy spoon, until the ingredients are well combined and form a cohesive ball of dough.
3. Roll It Out Thin: Lightly flour a clean working surface. Place the dough ball onto the floured surface and use a rolling pin to roll it out. The key here is to roll it as thinly as possible – the thinner your dough, the crisper your finished crackers will be. Keep flouring your rolling pin as needed to prevent sticking.
4. Cut the Crackers: Once the dough is rolled to your desired thickness, use a pizza wheel or a sharp knife to cut it into squares, rectangles, or any other shapes you prefer. Don’t worry about perfection; rustic shapes add to their charm! Gather any dough scraps, gently press them back together, and roll them out again to cut more crackers until all the dough is used.
5. Prepare for Baking: Carefully transfer your cut crackers to an ungreased cookie sheet. There’s usually enough butter or fat in the stuffing to prevent them from sticking. Using a fork, prick each cracker several times. This helps prevent them from puffing up excessively and ensures a uniformly crisp texture.
6. Apply Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and water with a fork until well combined. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush this egg wash over the top of each cracker. This step contributes to a beautiful golden-brown color and helps the coarse salt adhere.

Pro Tip for Rolling: When rolling out the stuffing mixture, aim for paper-thinness. You’ll want to consistently flour your rolling pin to prevent the mixture from sticking. Keep a small cup of flour nearby for easy access during this step.

⏲️ Baking Time & Cooling

• Bake to Perfection: Sprinkle your egg-washed crackers generously with coarse salt. Bake them in the preheated oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for approximately 15-20 minutes. Baking times can vary depending on your oven and cracker thickness; for my oven and preferred crispness, 18 minutes was absolutely perfect. Keep a close eye on them, especially as they begin to brown around the edges.
• Cool for Ultimate Crispness: Once baked and golden brown, remove the crackers from the oven. Immediately transfer them to a wire cooling rack. Allowing them to cool completely on the rack is essential, as they will continue to crisp up as they cool down, achieving that satisfying cracker crunch.

💡 Expert Tips for Perfect Stuffing Crackers!

Follow these expert tips to ensure your leftover stuffing crackers turn out perfectly crispy and delicious every time:

• Uniform Cutting is Key: While they don’t have to be geometrically perfect, try to cut your crackers into reasonably uniform shapes and sizes. This ensures they bake evenly, preventing some from burning while others are still soft. A pizza cutter is an excellent tool for quick and straight cuts!
• Prick for Crispness: Don’t skip pricking the crackers with a fork before baking. These small holes allow steam to escape, which is vital for achieving a truly crisp texture rather than a soft, bready one.
• Give Them Room to Breathe: When placing the crackers on the baking sheet, ensure there’s a little space between each one. Overcrowding the pan can lead to steaming, which hinders crisping. Proper air circulation is crucial for achieving an even crispness all around.
• No Need to Grease: Your cookie sheet doesn’t need to be greased. Stuffing often contains enough butter or fat to prevent the crackers from sticking to the pan. This keeps the recipe simpler and cleaner.
• Airtight Storage is a Must: Homemade crackers can soften more quickly than their commercially packaged counterparts due to moisture in the air. Store your cooled stuffing crackers in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their crispness for up to 4 days.
• Re-Crisping Soft Crackers: If your crackers lose some of their crispness over time, don’t despair! You can easily revive them by spreading them on a baking sheet and toasting them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes until they are crisp again.
• Watch Them Closely: Once the crackers start to turn golden brown, stay by the oven and watch them carefully. They can go from perfectly baked to burnt very quickly. They are done when the edges are golden, and they will crisp up further as they cool.
• Thinner is Better: As mentioned, the thinner you roll the dough, the crisper and more cracker-like your final product will be. Aim for a thickness similar to a thin pie crust.

🥗 What to Serve with Your Stuffing Crackers?

These savory stuffing crackers are incredibly versatile and make a fantastic addition to almost any meal or snack spread. They can be enjoyed on their own or paired with a variety of delicious accompaniments. Here are some of our favorite ways to serve them:

• Cheese Platter: Serve them alongside a selection of your favorite cheeses – sharp cheddar, creamy brie, or a tangy goat cheese all pair beautifully.
• Deli Meats: They make an excellent base for slices of turkey, ham, or roast beef, transforming them into quick, savory bites.
• Fresh Fruit & Veggies: Enjoy them with crisp apple slices, juicy tomato wedges, or creamy avocado for a balanced snack.
• Dips & Spreads: They are perfect for dipping into hummus, a spinach dip, or a flavorful artichoke dip.

I also particularly love to serve them with a warm, comforting bowl of soup. Their savory flavor and crisp texture offer a delightful contrast:

These turkey stuffing crackers also pair exceptionally well with a classic Tomato Soup, creating a comforting and flavorful combination!

Top Tips for Kitchen Success

Achieving the best results with these stuffing crackers is easy with a couple of handy tools and smart preparation:

• Cutting with Ease: For perfectly uniform and easy cuts, I highly recommend using a pizza wheel (affiliate link). It glides through the dough much more efficiently than a knife, giving you cleaner edges.
• Effortless Transfer: A thinner spatula (affiliate link) is incredibly useful for carefully lifting the raw crackers from your work surface to the baking sheet without distorting their shape. Its thin edge makes all the difference!
• Don’t Waste Frozen Stuffing: If you’re feeling exhausted after preparing a large holiday meal and don’t want to make these crackers immediately, don’t worry! You can easily freeze your leftover stuffing. Simply transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to make the crackers, just defrost the stuffing in the refrigerator, and you’re good to go! Once cooked, the finished crackers themselves can also be frozen for up to 3 months for future enjoyment, though they are best enjoyed fresh or crisped up in the oven after thawing.

👪 Serving Size & Adjustments

This fantastic leftover stuffing recipe is designed to yield approximately 20 crispy crackers, using about 2 cups of leftover stuffing. Should you have more or less leftover stuffing available, adjusting the recipe is incredibly simple. You can easily halve, double, or even triple the recipe to match your needs. For convenience, in the recipe card below, you can often click on the serving number to automatically adjust the quantities of all ingredients.

🌡️ Storage Instructions

Proper storage will help maintain the crispness and flavor of your homemade stuffing crackers:

• At Room Temperature: Store cooled leftover stuffing crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. To maintain maximum crispness, you might want to add a paper towel to absorb any residual moisture.
• Freezing for Longer: For longer storage, these crackers freeze remarkably well. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze, then transfer to a sealed, freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature and, if desired, re-crisp them in a preheated oven for a few minutes.

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