Is Graham Crackers Ultra Processed?
Not Typically Ultra-Processed
Graham crackers are highly processed (Level 3). Despite their wholesome reputation, commercial graham crackers contain enriched flour, sugar, graham flour, soybean oil, and honey — with some brands adding high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, and preservatives like TBHQ.
Key Findings
- •Modern graham crackers use enriched bleached flour as the primary ingredient — not the coarse whole wheat flour they were originally made from
- •Honey Maid graham crackers contain both sugar and honey, plus soybean oil and soy lecithin — about 10 ingredients total
- •Homemade graham crackers with whole wheat flour, butter, honey, and cinnamon are Level 2 and closer to the original recipe
Why Is Graham Crackers Level 3?
The original graham cracker, invented by Sylvester Graham in the 1830s, was made from coarsely ground whole wheat flour with no sugar or fat — intended as a health food. Modern commercial versions bear little resemblance. Today's graham crackers list enriched bleached flour (not whole wheat) as the primary ingredient, followed by sugar and soybean oil. Graham flour is typically the third or fourth ingredient, meaning there is less whole grain than refined flour. Honey, while marketed prominently, appears in small amounts — often supplemented by corn syrup or high fructose corn syrup. Preservatives like TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone) extend shelf life, and emulsifiers like soy lecithin maintain texture. The result is closer to a cookie than the austere whole-grain cracker Graham originally envisioned.
Graham Crackers Processing Level Distribution
How 998 graham crackers products break down by processing level:
Average ingredient count: 19.7 · Average nutrition score: 4.9/10
Graham Crackers Brand Comparison
Comparing the least to most processed graham crackers products in our database:
| Product | Brand | Level | Score | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oat Graham Crackers, Golden Honey | Back to Nature | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 4.0 | 10 |
| Golden Honey Oat Graham Crackers, Golden Honey | Back to Nature | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 4.0 | 10 |
| Oat Graham Crackers, Golden Honey | Back to Nature | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 4.0 | 10 |
| Harris Teeter, Cinnamon Graham Crackers | Harris Teeter | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 5.0 | 14 |
| Duncan Hines, Perfect Size, Cheesecake Filling & Graham Cracker Crust Mixes | Duncan Hines | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 5.0 | 11 |
| Organic Graham Crackers | Harris Teeter | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 5.0 | 13 |
| Cinnamon Graham Crackers, Cinnamon | Wild Harvest | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 5.0 | 12 |
| Honey Graham Crackers, Honey Graham | Harris Teeter | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 5.0 | 11 |
| Harris Teeter, Cinnamon Graham Crackers | Harris Teeter | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 5.0 | 14 |
| Honey Graham Crackers, Honey | True Goodness | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 5.0 | 12 |
How to Read Graham Crackers Labels
- 1
Check if enriched flour or graham flour is listed first — whole grain should be the primary ingredient
- 2
Look for brands where honey or molasses is the only sweetener, not corn syrup or HFCS
- 3
Avoid versions listing TBHQ, BHT, or artificial flavors
- 4
Soy lecithin and mono/diglycerides indicate industrial emulsification
Frequently Asked Questions
Are graham crackers a healthy snack?
Graham crackers are Level 3 — highly processed. Despite the whole grain image, most brands use enriched flour as the primary ingredient, with sugar and soybean oil following. They are not a whole grain food in practice, though they are less processed than many other cookie-style snacks.
Are Honey Maid graham crackers ultra-processed?
Honey Maid falls at Level 3 — highly processed but not ultra-processed. The ingredient list includes enriched flour, sugar, graham flour, soybean oil, and honey. They lack the artificial colors and extensive additive lists found in Level 4 products.
What is a less processed alternative to graham crackers?
Homemade graham crackers made with whole wheat flour, butter, honey, and cinnamon are Level 2. Store-bought options with whole wheat flour as the first ingredient and no corn syrup or TBHQ are better choices.