7. Ugos Yiveishos – Savory baked goods or savory snacks – Crackers and pretzels:[1]

Dry baked goods like pretzels and crackers, made of flour and water without any spices, are debated as to whether they are defined as Pas Haba Bekisnin[2], and consequently are debated as to their blessing [i.e. Hamotzi or Mezonos]. Practically, due to Safek Brachos Lihakel, they are Mezonos and Al Hamichya when eaten as a snack, and Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon when eaten as a meal [i.e. Kevius Seuda].[3] Nonetheless, due to the debate[4], some are accustomed [even if they are not a Baal Nefesh] to avoid eating pretzels or crackers outside of a meal unless they contain spices or fruit juices that can be tasted, in which case they can be considered Mezonos regardless due to being Pas Haba Bekisnin as rules the first opinion.

• Example: Suppose Yanky is preparing a snack before heading out for the afternoon. He reaches for a box of plain crackers and wonders which blessing to recite. Since he’s enjoying them as a quick bite and not as a meal, Yanky says Mezonos. However, he remembers what he learned: if he were to sit down and eat enough crackers to constitute a meal, he would need to say Hamotzi instead. To avoid any doubt, Yanky sometimes chooses crackers flavored with herbs or fruit juice, ensuring Mezonos is the correct blessing according to all opinions.

[1] See Admur 168:12; Piskeiy Teshuvos 168:11; Ketzos Hashulchna 48 footnote 11; Footnote 116 of Rav Alyashvili on Seder 2:9

[2] Opinion brought in Admur 168:12, omitted from Seder and Luach; This applies even if they are made of majority water, and at times only water, in their liquid ingredient, and applies even if they are not spicy nor sweet being that they are eaten as snacks rather than a meal.

[3] Admur 168:12; Omitted from Seder and Luach ibid

[4] While some opinions state they are Hamotzi, as recorded in Admur ibid, in the Shulchan Aruch Admur concludes that they are Mezonos due to Safek Brachos Lihhakel, being that he also brings a dissenting opinion to this view. However, in his Siddur, Admur omitted this dissenting opinion, hence implying they are Hamotzi, and hence some are stringent as stated above. Based on this some do not eat pretzels or crackers out of a meal. See Luach of Rav Alyashvili who rules that it is Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon!