Spicy Crackers Recipe: Seasoning saltine crackers with spices that are full of flavor, is so easy and they’re the perfect snack recipe for the holidays or just to snack on during game night!
When it comes to snack recipes, keeping things simple is key or then it just doesn’t feel like a “snack,” am I right?
These spicy saltine crackers are not only easy but they are ready to eat in about an hour.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It uses a few ingredients: With only 5 ingredients, this recipe uses items that you may even have on hand.
- Make-ahead recipe: Did you know that you can make this recipe in advance if you want to? It’s true! Make them in advance so it’s one less thing you have to do when entertaining.
- No Bake Recipe – no oven required, and it’s a simple mix-and-dry recipe!
Ingredients Needed
I’ve highlighted a couple of ingredients below with some relevant notes. Aside from this, the ingredients needed are pretty basic.
- Oil – We use canola oil for this recipe but don’t go out and buy it just because we say so. If you have others on hand, it’s ok to use them too. See the substitutions section below for tips.
- Garlic Pepper – You should be able to find garlic pepper in the spice aisle, and we love to use Lawry’s but any brand will do.
- Ranch Seasoning – if you plan to make these a lot, you can usually find the bulk ranch dressing seasoning in the plastic jars in the store. Otherwise, the small individual packets will do.
Substitutions
Sometimes substitutions are necessary because of ingredients that are unavailable or needed for dietary restrictions. Here are some suggestions that can help:
- Oil – if you have vegetable oil on hand, this can be used instead of canola oil. You can also try olive oil but we’ve found that it can give the crackers more of a bitter taste if you don’t use a higher quality olive oil.
- Crackers – These can be made with Oyster crackers or saltines! But I prefer the saltines for easier grab-and-go snaking.
How to Make Spicy Crackers
This seasoned crackers recipe is broken into 2 components:
- Seasoning the crackers
- Allowing the crackers to dry
*Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions!*
Place crackers in a large bowl or container. One that’s large enough for gently stirring to mix the oil/seasonings.
Step 1. In a separate bowl, add in oil, ranch seasoning, garlic pepper & red pepper.
Step 2. With a spoon, mix oil and seasonings until evenly combined.
Step 3. Pour mixture over crackers and toss every 15 minutes until crackers are coated well.
Step 4. Spread crackers out on wax paper and let dry for an hour.
Store in an airtight container.
Storage
Once these crackers have air-dried, it’s best to store these crackers in an airtight container for 4-5 days.
Food Gift Wrapping Idea
Around the holidays, giving food gifts is such a great idea. These spicy crackers are the perfect food gift idea! Simply store them in an airtight container, or a little box, and tie a ribbon around it.
More Snack Recipes You’ll Love
Whether you need snacks for a party or just for munching on during the holidays, you’ll love these other snack recipes:
Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!
Recipe
Spicy Crackers Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces saltine crackers
- 1 ½ cup canola oil
- 1 ounce package ranch dressing seasoning
- 3 Tablespoons garlic pepper
- 1 Tablespoons red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Place crackers in a large bowl or container.
- In a separate bowl, mix oil, ranch seasoning, garlic pepper & red pepper.
- Pour mixture over crackers and toss every 15 minutes until crackers are coated well.
- Spread crackers out on wax paper and let dry for an hour.
- Store in an air tight container.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Marlo says
Is that a half cup of oil or one and a half cups?
Jessica says
Hi Marlo! It’s one and a half cups! I hope that helps, and thank you for asking!
sandy says
I made these, they are sooo good. We eat them with taco soup. even better. I used unsalted crackers, they weren’t so salty.
Jessica says
YUM!!!! Eating these with taco soup sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing!
JoAnn says
Has anyone used the Chex cereal instead of crackers using this recipe?
Jessica says
Ooooh, I haven’t but that sounds amazing!
Bobbie Persinger says
I use oyster crackers. Family likes the bite sized snack better.
Jessica says
Oh yes!! Those would be great to use too! Thank you for sharing!
Lisa says
Tried these today and while they are good and savory they are just a bit too salty for my taste.
I will re-try the recipe using garlic powder and black pepper. Not the garlic pepper (or nearly as much of it) as it has additional sodium.
I mixed everything together in a two gallon ziplock… that was very handy and clean-up was super quick!
Thanks for the super easy snack idea!
Celinda Heinrich says
I love these crackers, but am looking for a substitute for the canola oil for health reasons. Vegetable oil didn’t work for the recipe. Has anyone tried avocado, coconut, or olive oil on these?
Jessica says
Hi Celinda! I haven’t tried any of those oils, but would love to hear from other’s as well!
Recipescout says
Yes, we use olive oil. I love olive oil and since it’s such a healthy choice, it’s a no brainer,
Sara says
Hi there,
“garlic pepper”, is that garlic salt?
Jessica says
Hi Sara! No there’s actually a spice you can get at the store that is garlic pepper. It’s one of my favorites. Here’s an example of some that you can get HERE
Kb says
Have tried to make these so many times, and they always come out ruined. These are looking perfect and can’t wait to try them. Thanks!!!
Jessica says
Yippee!!! I’m so glad to hear this! They really are delicious and I hope they work for you!
Kb says
They were divine!!!! Here for another batch. Trying a tbls of dill weed and a tbls of lemon pepper from other recipes. Thanks again for the greatest recipe ever!! Btw using a huge oven bag for tossing makes it so much easier.
Allyson Zea says
OHHHH I love spiced crackers!
Jessica says
Me too sister!! Me too!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
These would disappear in our house!
Jessica says
Haha! They sure do in mine!
sarah says
I have never added the red pepper flake to my crackers. A great addition!
Jessica says
Oh yes!!! I think that combined with the garlic pepper is amazing!
Michael Wurm Jr says
Yum, these are soooooo tasty! Love this recipe!
xo Michael
Jessica says
Thank you Michael! They’re a favorite for sure!
Krissy Allori says
This looks so tasty and simple! I will have to give it a try!
Emily Hill says
These savory crackers sounds like a really fun gift for neighbors during the holidays!
Jessica says
For sure! You may want to double the batch in case you eat them while you package them like I do! Haha!! 🙂
Sharon Frierson says
I’m not a cook but I pay a lady $15.a bag for crackers. So I’m going to try to make them myself.
Jessica says
Oh yes! Give it a try! They’re super easy!!
Johnna says
love your recipe! thank you!.. I modified the crackers though, used the saltine minis!! came out great! and the kids love them bite size, new take on cheese its 😉
Jessica says
Oh yay!! So glad that you like it!! Thank you Johnna!
Pat says
These looked so good I purposely bought saltiness. You don’t say what size box and I only wanted to make one sleeve so I used have of the oil and spices. This recipe is so simple and delicious I wish I made more. I experimented and placed some on a cookie sheet and sprinkled some shredded parmesan and baked them. They were so good with artichoke tapenade. Thank you for the recipe.
Jessica says
So glad that you liked it! I love them too!
Julia hetzel says
I accidentally got vegetable oil will this make a difference?
Jessica says
You know, I haven’t tried vegetable oil for these, but I can’t imagine that it would make much of a difference!
Barbara Wafer says
It should be a 16 oz box of crackers or 4 sleeves.
Tanya says
Crackers are great snack. And these ones are especially so!
Jessica says
You’re so right Tanya!!! Thank you for coming by!!!
Jenna Wood says
I love how simple this recipe is! I sent it to the other half so he can make something himself for the potluck this week! #client
Jessica says
Oh excellent! It is totally simple… and addicting. Beware. 😉
Dawn says
How many days do these stay fresh in the container
Jessica says
Hi Dawn! You know, in an air-tight container, I want to say the most I’ve ever had them stored, has been a couple of days. We always eat them before we give the chance to get stale. LOL! I hope that helps!