These spicy ranch crackers are the perfect appetizer to make and serve at your next house party or take along on a potluck.
They’re crispy, salty, creamy and spicy all at the same time, and are a great Southern party favorite, or just as a little snack.
I’ve recently been entertaining quite a bit, and with that, I dabbled my hands at some appetizers and snack recipes that were flavorful and easy to make.
My upside down onion tarts and Turkish cheese rolls were a big hit with their crunchiness, and Tajin popcorn was simply a crowd pleaser, but I really wanted to try something much more simple.
And that’s when I came across the infamous Alabama firecrackers aka these spicy Ranch seasoned crackers.
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What's So Great About the Recipe?
These spicy ranch crackers are so much more than just an addictive snack.
You’re going to love their crunchy and spicy goodness, and how versatile they can be.
This easy snack recipe is sure to be a total family favorite, and can be perfect for parties and great for game day too!
Ingredients For the Spicy Ranch Crackers Recipe
You’ll need just 4 ingredients for this spicy crackers recipe.
Salted crackers: You’ll need to start with a pack of classic salted crackers of your choice. I used Ritz crackers, but you could use any other variant of your choice.
Ranch seasoning mix: To add some creamy, buttery and delicious Ranch flavor, you’ll need some good quality Ranch seasoning mix. You can also make homemade Ranch seasoning if you have a few extra minutes.
Red pepper flakes: I used crushed red pepper flakes to add that bit of spicy kick to the crackers.
Olive oil: I used olive oil to coat the seasonings, but you can also use canola oil if you want to.
See recipe card for quantities.
Also Read: Salt and Vinegar Almonds
How to Make Spicy Ranch Crackers
Ready to make these crackers? Here’s what you’ll need to do.
Preheat the oven to 250°F. In a Ziploc bag, combine all the ingredients and shake the bag.
Make sure all the crackers are coated well.
Arrange the seasoned crackers in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15 mins.
Allow the crackers to cool completely and then store in an airtight container.
Substitutions & Variations
- To bring some extra flavor and deliciousness into the spicy crackers, you can add a dash of garlic powder or even some onion powder into the mix.
- If you don’t have crushed red pepper, you can mix in some cayenne pepper instead to bring that kick of heat. Just remember to control the amount of cayenne you’re adding.
- Instead of olive oil or canola oil, you could also use avocado oil or even some melted butter to make the crackers extra flavorful.
💭Top Tip
If you’re using oyster crackers, you may want to use a little less oil. Also remember that Ranch oyster crackers take much less time to cook than your classic Ranch saltines, thanks to their small size.
How to Store the Leftover Crackers
Got some leftover crackers? Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they should last you for weeks.
Just remember to keep them in a cool and dark place away from direct sunlight and they should be just fine.
You could also make a double batch and store them this way.
Also Read: Spicy Roasted Cashews
Tips & Tricks to Nail the Recipe
- To lend a bit of zesty flavor to the crackers, you can also top them with some finely chopped dill right before you serve.
- You can use any Ranch dressing mix of your choice. I like to use my homemade seasoning mix, but Hidden Valley has an incredible Ranch seasoning blend that everyone’s wild about.
- Based on your personal taste preference, you can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes you’re adding to get the perfect amount of heat.
- If you’re making a no-bake version of these fire crackers, I would recommend using mini saltines for best results. You can pour the oil mixture over the crackers, toss them and let them sit overnight at room temperature for some extra flavor.
How to Serve the Spicy Ranch Crackers
These crunchy crackers can be served with some extra Ranch mix or a side of Ranch dressing, or practically any other creamy dip of your choice.
I love teaming them up with some spicy cheese and other snack crackers.
FAQs
You can use practically any kind of crackers of your choice for this easy recipe. Saltine crackers, oyster crackers, mini Saltine crackers, Cheeze-its and Triscuits are all great choices.
Related Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Spicy Ranch Crackers
Ingredients
- 1 pack salted crackers
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 2 teaspoon Ranch seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250°F. In a Ziploc bag, combine all the ingredients and shake the bag.
- Make sure all the crackers are coated well.
- Arrange the seasoned crackers in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15 mins.
- Allow the crackers to cool completely and then store in an airtight container.