These Ranch Spicy Crackers upgrade an ordinary pack of saltines into a flavorful party snack that everyone will love. The classic saltine cracker is enhanced by the combination of creamy ranch flavor with a fiery kick.
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
Why this Fire Crackers Recipe is a Keeper
This easy party appetizer is addictive and super easy to make. It’s the perfect savory snack for a charcuterie board or your next get-together and goes great with spinach dip. Here are some reasons why you’ll want to serve these delicious Alabama fire crackers:
- 25 Minute Snack: Have these easy spicy crackers ready in just 25 minutes.
- Simple Ingredients: You’ll love these crackers so much, and the ingredients are so easy. All of the ingredients for this addictive snack can be found in your kitchen or local grocery store.
- Party Pleaser: These spicy ranch crackers are the perfect snack for parties, from game day to potlucks. My family loves these crackers. They are not greasy like chips and full of flavor.
If you want to find more recipes, try these: Glazed Bacon Crackers, Pie Crust Crackers, and Air Fryer Smores.
Can I Use Other Crackers in this Recipe?
Yes, you can use other crackers. The recipe calls for saltines, but you can use Ritz crackers, Club crackers, water table crackers, etc. You can also use oyster crackers, pretzels, or even Chex mix to make a snack mix instead.
Ingredient Notes for Ranch Alabama Fire Crackers
- Saltines: Make this party cracker recipe with a sleeve of crackers. Use any variety of Saltine crackers you want.
- Ranch Mix: Use a package of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix to make the seasoning.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Get 200 easy and delicious dinner recipes, so you'll never have to worry about what to make for dinner again.
Sweet and Spicy Cracker Variations and Substitutions
- Different Seasoning: Season the crackers with other types of seasoning. For instance, our Italian Seasoning recipe works great, especially with an Italian dressing mix instead of Ranch. You can also try chili flakes, onion powder, dill, or garlic salt for extra saltiness. Just regular paprika works great, too.
Savory Snack Pro Tip
Make a quick batch of these crackers in the air fryer instead of in the oven.
How to Make Spicy Seasoned Crackers
These are the basic steps for making spicy ranch party crackers. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions. Find more on pinterest or share on Facebook.
1. Melt the Butter
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Then, place melted butter in a large bowl. Add crackers and gently toss ensuring that each cracker is coated.
2. Make the Dressing Mixture
In a small bowl, whisk together Ranch salad dressing mix, 1 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes, and garlic powder; stir to combine. Sprinkle dressing mixture over crackers. Don’t forget to make sure all crackers are coated, as you want to make sure the crackers are as flavorful as possible.
3. Bake the Crackers
Spread the seasoned saltine crackers in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes. Let sit to cool completely to room temperature before serving, and store in an air tight container.
Ranch Dressing Saltines FAQs
Store the ranch crackers in an airtight container with a lid in a dry place to ensure that they stay crispy. They should be good for 2-3 days.
Yes, these crackers are a great make-ahead appetizer if you need to let them sit overnight. Make them up to three days in advance and store them in an airtight container.
Yes, you can make a gluten free option. Just make sure to use gluten free Ranch mix as well.
Expert Tips for Making Spicy Ranch Party Crackers
- Ranch Varieties: Use different varieties of Ranch mix, such as spicy ranch or buttermilk for the seasoned crackers.
- Whole Wheat: To make a somewhat healthier version, use whole wheat or unsalted saltines to make these Alabama fire crackers.
- Taco Seasoning: Sprinkle some taco seasoning onto the crackers for a bit more flavor. You can also add a dash of cayenne pepper to give the crackers more spice.
- Shake and Bake: Place the buttered crackers in a Ziplock bag or container and add the seasoning. Then, shake or flip the container to coat the crackers. If the seasoning isn’t sticking, use canola oil.
Delicious Food to Serve with Ranch Dressing Party Crackers
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
Ranch Spicy Crackers
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email and we’ll send this recipe to your inbox.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces Saltine crackers
- 8 tablespoons Butter, melted
- 1 ounce Ranch Salad Dressing Mix, 1 package
- 1 tablespoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
- Place melted butter in a large bowl. Add crackers and gently toss ensuring that each cracker is coated.
- In a small bowl, combine Ranch salad dressing mix, red pepper flakes and garlic powder; stir to combine.
- Sprinkle dressing mixture over crackers ensuring that each cracker is coated.
- Spread crackers in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Cool completely before serving.
- Store in an airtight container.
Christina’s Notes
- Ranch Varieties: Use different varieties of Ranch mix, such as spicy ranch or buttermilk.
- Whole Wheat: To make a somewhat healthier version, use whole wheat or unsalted saltines.
- Taco Seasoning: Sprinkle some taco seasoning onto the crackers for a bit more flavor. You can also add a dash of cayenne pepper to give the crackers more spice.
- Shake and Bake: Place the buttered crackers in a Ziplock bag or container and add the seasoning. Then, shake or flip the container to coat the crackers. If the seasoning isn’t sticking, use canola oil.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.
I used oyster crackers, omitted red pepper flakes and added 1 Tbsp dried parsley and 1 tsp dried dill. Next time I think I will use unsalted butter. The crackers and mix have enough salt.
That sounds like a great snack! Thanks for sharing.
Very easy to make and taste good!
I made yesterday and all gone!
My friends loved them!
can you use ranch dip mix instead of seasoning
Yes, as long as it is the dry mix you will be fine.
This was my first time making these crackers but I found it to be difficult to coat the crackers with butter and then shake them in the bag. They wanted to break for the first batch. The second batch I divided the crackers up in three groups. I put each group in the bag and poured the butter with the seasoning into the bag to cover the crackers. This worked better. I went through a lot of seasoning. I read the comment about coating the crackers with a brush, and decided I will do this next time. I will also make a lot of seasoning. Most of the crackers turned out okay and they were very tasteful! Thanks for posting the recipe.
I mix the seasonings with the melted butter before coating the crackers. put the crackers in a bowl & gently turn the crackers with your hands to coat them. you can save some of the seasoning to sprinkle on top of the crackers once they are on the cookie sheet.
Can you please update the recipe to say “1 – 1 ounce package of ranch” or “One 1 ounce package” I read the thing 100 times over and still couldn’t make sense of it. After adding in 3, 1 ounce packages I realized that was way excessive and it finally clicked that it was one, 1 ounce. I see from the comments I’m not the only person that struggled with the clarity. I extracted as much as I could lol hoping they still turn out but please update the recipe for busy, distracted moms, like me lol.
Done. Hopefully that will help.
Are you sure you want 11 oz of ranch dressing mix?
It is one 1 ounce package not 11 ounces.
Excellent post
Thanks
I had a version of these at a hotel bar over Thanksgiving. I like the spiciness of this recipe. These crackers are literally crack!
Tossing the crackers in butter broke them so I just put them on the baking sheet and used a pastry brush to dab on the melted butter. I didn’t need to use much to coat them and they came out fine.
Great idea.
Put crackers in a Tupperware, all stacked sideways. Mix the ranch dressing packet with olive oil. Pour over the crackers, put the lid on, shake it up and down/flip it over and repeat, when you walk by it- flip it again until they’re all coated. No need to bake. Garlic powder is already in the ranch packet.
20 min was to done for me too. They were burnt but way to much
It could be the thickness that your rolled the crackers out to or the temperature of your oven. Sorry they did not work out.
I’m sure they would be great but 20 minutes resulted in burnt crackers for me. Not black burnt but past the point of being very edible. Will eventually try again but only bake 10-15 minutes
Have you checked the temp of your oven? Sometimes they run hotter than what the temp is set to. I keep a thermometer in mine to ensure it’s correct.
I have tried tried many snack cracker recipes and this one is by far the absolute very best! Thanks for sharing!
So glad you like it!
These are amazing! I have tried many snack cracker recipes and this is by far the absolute very best!
I didn’t know you could make this cracker better. I always have Saltines on hand. I will definitely be trying this recipe soon. I will let you know how everyone likes them.
Our family loves all things ranch – thanks for this quick and easy snack idea!
Brilliant recipe! Let the party begins!
What a great way to make crackers extra special.