Because baking soda is their rising agent, soda crackers earn their name. While yeast and other natural leavening agents take their sweet time to leaven breads and crackers, baking soda, which is chemical-based and intended for rapid baking, doesn't begin the leavening process until the food begins to heat.

A common and useful snack are saltine crackers, often known as saltina or soda crackers. Saltine crackers are well known for their dry texture, crispiness, and characteristic perforations that make them simple to snap and savor. They are made using white flour, a leavening agent such baking soda or yeast, shortening, and coarse salt.