I don’t know about you, but I love to snack. Some of the best meals I’ve had are made entirely of snacks. Dips, chips, spreads, cheese, crackers. I love snacking! I pinned a recipe for saltines with this fiery mixture on it, but thought I could make it easier to eat using oyster crackers. Then I combined that idea with another snacking recipe and Fire Cracker Snack Mix was born! It’s crunchy, salty, savory, and spicy. Perfect for game day or mindless eating on the couch watching some trashy TV!
So, how’s it taste?
This is one of those recipes that gets better the longer it sits. This mix doesn’t last forever, but two days later it tasted better than when it was fresh. So make a huge batch and test it out for yourself! It starts with a packet of ranch dressing, which I will eat anything with ranch. It’s jazzed up a bit with more dill, more garlic, and celery seed. It gets its fire from red pepper flakes and a touch of cayenne. If you want it really spicy, add more cayenne. Keep in mind that it gets spicier the longer it sits, so by day two, it’s really fiery!
I loved the Ritz cheese bits in this. If you want, you could use all oyster crackers or all Ritz cheese bits. It’s up to you how you want to make it. Pretzels would be a nice addition and even peanuts, too. Customize it to your liking and get to snacking!
PrintFire Cracker Snack Mix
Ingredients:
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 oz. packet ranch dressing mix
2 tbsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. dried dill
1 tsp. celery seed
1/8 tsp. cayenne
9 oz. bag oyster crackers
1 box Ritz bitz cheese crackers
Directions:
1. In a small bowl, mix all ingredients through cayenne until combined.
2. Place both crackers in a large, zip-top plastic bag. Continue to stir oil mixture so pepper doesn't settle and pour mixture over crackers. Shake bag until crackers are evenly coated.
3. Refrigerate for 24 hours and shake bag often to keep the crackers coated. Let crackers come to room temperature before serving. Store covered in the refrigerator. Crackers get spicier the older they are.
adapted from Paula Deen & CheCheCherie
Oh man. You + I are cut from the same cloth. My perfect meal involves dippers + dips of all varieties. Chips + crackers + vegetables + fruit meet cheese + salsa + hummus + guacamole + more cheese. This really does sound like an ideal snacking situation here!
Just this past Saturday my friends and I put out a spread of spinach dip, hummus, cheese, crab dip and I was happy as a clam. It was both our lunch and dinner since we snacked all day!
SUCH a great idea to dress up these sandwich cookies! I love it!
I’m a huge fan of snacks + snacky mixes just like this one. You’re right – perfect for trashy tv watching, which you know I love to do!!
What a great recipe to share…especially since it’s football season, and we’re almost always in the mood for snacking. Thank you for sharing!
Perfect for football watching!
YES! I’ve made something similar with Saltine crackers. Love it!
One of the recipes I adapted it from did it with saltines. I need to try that version, too! So stinkin’ good!
A Paula Deen recipe with no butter? And it looks pretty tasty, too. 🙂
Ha ha, I didn’t even notice there’s no butter!
I love making snacks with the ranch seasoning packets! They’re so flavorful. I adore this snack mix you made – I have a feeling they need to make it onto my list very soon! I’m a sucker for snacks like these.
Anything with ranch has my name on it!
Sounds super yummy! Can olive oil be substituted for vegetable oil?
I’d probably stick to vegetable oil since it doesn’t have a taste or you could try those lighter olive oils that are made for dipping and salads. Some olive oils might be too strong for this snack. Hope you enjoy it!