Knackebrod
This Knackebrod is thin, brittle, and deeply toasty, with the earthy flavor of rye and a gentle sweet-anise note from fennel seeds. It is easy to make, beginner-friendly, and excellent as a snack, with spreads, or alongside soups and salads.
Ingredients
Rye dough
- 120 grye flour
- 1 tspfennel seeds
- 1/2 tspfine salt
- 1 tbspneutral oil
- 70 mlwarm water
For rolling and finishing
- 10 gextra rye flour
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 220°C. Line a baking tray or preheated baking stone with baking paper. In a bowl, mix the rye flour, fennel seeds, and fine salt so the seasoning is evenly distributed before adding liquid.
- 2
Add the neutral oil and warm water. Stir until a rough dough forms, then knead briefly for 1 to 2 minutes just until it comes together. Rye dough should feel firm but pliable, not sticky; if it cracks badly, add a teaspoon of water.
- 3
Lightly dust the work surface and dough with extra rye flour. Divide the dough into 2 equal pieces and roll each piece very thin, about 1 to 2 mm thick, into rough rounds or rectangles. Thin rolling is the key to a crisp result.
- 4
Transfer the sheets to the tray. Prick all over with a fork to prevent bubbling, then cut or score into serving pieces for easier breaking after baking.
- 5
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, turning the tray once, until the bread is dry, crisp, and lightly browned at the edges. If one area colors too fast, remove that piece early. For extra crispness, switch off the oven and leave the crispbread inside for 2 minutes with the door slightly ajar.
- 6
Cool for 5 minutes on a rack so the crispbread fully hardens. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition per serving
Notes
- •For a more traditional look, cut a small hole in the center of each round before baking.
- •If the dough shrinks while rolling, let it sit for 2 minutes, then continue rolling.
- •Serve with vegan butter, pickles, mushroom spread, or soup.
- •Store fully cooled crispbread in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Background
Knackebrod is a traditional Scandinavian crispbread, especially associated with Sweden, where it has long been valued for its keeping quality and simple grain-based formula. While this version is seasoned with fennel and fits a Russian cuisine brief, the style itself comes from the Nordic bread-making tradition of baking thin, dry rye breads for storage through long winters.
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