Easy No-Bake Firecracker Recipe
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If you’re searching for a cheap and easy snack recipe, this 4-ingredient, no-bake Firecracker Recipe fits the bill! If you’re all about bringing the heat to a crunchy to the party, then look no further; saltine crackers are seasoned and spicy. Each crispy bite is a testament to the heat Southerners love.
When it comes to snacking, there’s nothing quite like the combination of heat and crunch. These crackers are more than just a snack – they’re more of an event and perfect for a good old SEC tailgate! Not only are they well received, but they take less than 5 minutes to make. I don’t know that I would call them Alabama firecrackers though. There is nothing that brings SEC fans together quicker than mutual disdain for Alabama.
You can mix this recipe up in the morning (or the night before if it’s a day game), give a toss every so often, and by the time you get to the tent, it’s ready to go. Let’s face it, they go great with beer and I’ve seen these disappear long before the grills are fired up, or any other food comes out.
Ingredients
Saltine Crackers – I use any brand of saltine crackers you can buy in a box with 4 sleeves. You can easily substitute with your favorite crackers. If you like a little sweet with your heat try using Ritz crackers or club crackers.
Oil – I use vegetable oil because it is economical. Light olive oil or canola oil would be my second choices.
Ranch Seasoning Mix – I have started using the packets marked as “Restaurant-Style” because I think it has a better flavor.
Red Pepper Flakes
How to Make Firecrackers
1 – Gently place the crackers into the chosen container or bag.
2 – Combine the ranch dressing mix and red pepper flakes with the oil, creating a seasoned mixture.
3 – Pour the seasoned oil evenly over the crackers in the container.
4 – Seal the container or bag securely.
5 – Every few hours, give the container or bag a gentle rotation or flip to ensure even distribution of the oil mixture.
6 – Once the crackers have absorbed the oil and seasoning, they are ready to be served.
Pro Tips
- Increase the amount of red pepper flakes at your own risk. Unless you grew up in the South eating hot spices on everything, your lips will be lit up! Especially at the bottom of the container, things get dicey. No, I didn’t misspell spicy!! Only feed those bottom crackers to the kids if you’ve knocked off the red pepper!!
- Do not use more ranch dressing mix than called for; your crackers will be way too salty.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, or even more dill if desired. I wouldn’t add any more salt or extreme heat. This includes soy sauce, your oil may not taste too salty, but you are about to add it to salted crackers.
- If you choose to add hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce, start with small amounts and taste the oil before adding!!
- 1 cup of oil is enough. That is plenty to coat all of the crackers. As the crackers sit, the oil will work its way to the bottom of the container as it is. 2 cups and your crackers will be swimming in oil.
- Just flip it over and give it a gentle shake. The oil will work its way back through the crackers. You don’t want to serve oily crackers.
- These are easier to mix up in a rectangular resealable container. If you use a zip-top bag, be very gentle when moving these around to coat, or you’ll have seasoned cracker pieces! I use 1.1 gallon Rubbermaid Take Along to make this in, and I also use it for serving.
- Make 2 batches, one to share and one for yourself!
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Do I Have To Use Saltines in This Recipe?
Nope! You can use oyster crackers, buttery crackers like Ritz, club crackers, and even the newer cracker crisps that have come onto the market lately.
So there you have it – the perfect recipe for creating your own Fire Crackers. Spice up your snacking routine and leave your guests asking for more with this fantastic Saltine cracker recipe. With a balance of seasonings and heat, these spicy crackers will warm you up in the most delicious way. Whip up a batch or two and share the joy.
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Fire Crackers
Ingredients
- 16 ounces saltine crackers 1 box with 4 sleeves
- 1.5 ounces dry ranch dressing mix 1 packet
- 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup oil vegetable or light olive oil
Instructions
- Place the saltine crackers in a rectangular container with a lid. If you don’t have one, a one-gallon-sized Ziploc baggie will work, but you’ll have to be more careful to keep the crackers from breaking.
- Place the crackers into the container or baggie.
- Mix the ranch dressing mix and red pepper flakes into the oil.
- Pour the seasoned oil over the crackers.
- Close the container.
- Rotate or flip the container/bag every few hours to redistribute the oil mixture.
- Once the oil has been absorbed into the crackers, they are ready to serve.
Notes
- Red Pepper Caution: Be careful with extra red pepper flakes – they’re hot! Especially at the container’s bottom.
- Ranch Balance: Stick to the ranch mix amount; too much makes crackers overly salty.
- Flavor Variations: Add garlic, onion, or more dill if desired, but avoid extra salt or intense heat.
- Sauce Moderation: If using hot or Worcestershire sauce, start small and taste before adding.
- Oil Amount: 1 cup oil is plenty to coat crackers. 2 cups will make them too oily.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and may vary based on exact ingredients used. For accuracy, consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
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This recipe was written and tested by a human.
Editor: Oliver Baysinger
Elizabeth (Beth) Mueller
Elizabeth (Beth) Mueller is a food journalist, CEO of Pear Tree Kitchen, and co-creator of Food Blogger Help. She also has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a registered nurse licensed in the State of Oklahoma. When she has free time between writing, blogging, and cooking, she can be found volunteering as an RN with the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps.
