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Crunchy, and full of savory flavors, Spicy Ranch Crackers are not your average snack! Saltines are transformed into an absolutely addictive snack with just four ingredients. This no-bake recipe with big, bold flavors and a bit of heat is super simple to make.
Serve these crazy good crackers with Homemade Pimento Cheese and Dill Pickle Herb Dip for spur-of-the-moment get-togethers with friends. They will thank you, I promise!
It’s crazy to think that a recipe this simple needs to be written down and shared but trust me, once you make these crackers, you’ll have friends begging you to PLEASE tell them how to make them.
This grab-and-go appetizer is great for game day, parties, movie night, or game night. Fair warning, though, make a double batch. These crackers disappear fast!
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Ingredients For Spicy Ranch Crackers
This crazy good snack crackers recipe is made with ingredients you probably have in your pantry, and it could not be easier to make.
- Saltine Crackers
- Canola or Vegetable Oil
- Ranch Dressing Mix Seasoning – I like Hidden Valley Ranch
- Red Pepper Flakes
How To Make This Easy Snack Recipe
- Place crackers in a large bowl.
- Mix together ranch seasoning, red pepper, and canola oil.
- Drizzle the mixture over crackers and, using a large spoon, gently toss to coat.
- Mix crackers about every 5- 8 minutes for a total time of 20 minutes.
- Store crackers in a zip-top bag or airtight container.
Variations On This Spicy Crackers Recipe
- Switch out the ranch seasoning for lemon pepper, garlic powder, dill, onion powder, taco seasoning, or Za’atar.
- Melted butter or avocado oil can be swapped out for canola oil.
- Make ranch oyster crackers in place of the salines. You can also use cheese crackers, mini saltines, or goldfish crackers.
Storage Tips
After all the oil has been absorbed, store the crackers in an airtight container for up to one week.
More Quick Snacks You’ll Love
- Sweet and Spicy Roasted Nuts
- Perfectly Popped Stove Top Popcorn
- Spicy Cheese Cracker Snack Mix
- Homemade Pita Chips
- Candied Pecans
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 box (4 sleeves) saltine crackers
- 1 package ranch seasoning mix 1 ounce package
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
- 1 ½ cups canola oil
Instructions
- Place crackers in a large bowl.
- Mix together ranch seasoning, red pepper, and canola oil. Pour mixture over crackers, and using a large spoon, gently toss to coat.
- Mix crackers about every 5- 8 minutes for a total of 20 minutes.
- Store crackers in a zip-top bag or airtight container.
Video
Notes
- Make ranch oyster crackers in place of the salines. You can also use cheese crackers, mini saltines, or goldfish crackers.
- To save, store in an airtight container for up to one week.
Nutrition
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what if i just wanted to do one pack of crackers ? its just me here
what if i just wanted to do one pack of crackers ? its just me here
Great recipe. My daughter loves these. Made a batch for her to take to work
Love this!
~Donya
How many cracker are in a nutritional portion?
Love em…have you tried this mix with chex or crispex?
No, but I love this idea!! Thank you for the terrific rating.
~Donya
Would be helpful to have a measurement for the ranch seasoning since they sell it in big jars too.
In the time it took to write your comment, you could have looked it up. Two tablespoons
Hello,
I haven’t tried this yet but it looks delicious! Question: What are the green specks I see on the crackers and the white chunks on the crackers? It looks like flecks of parsley and some kind of cheese, but the recipe doesn’t call for any of those ingredients. Just curious…
What you see on the crackers is part of the herbs and seasoning.
Spices included in the ranch dreesing mix.
I was introduced to the spicy cracker recipe and it is now ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE SNACKS..I learned of these just short of a month ago ,got the recipe n have made them for 4 gatherings ,3 road trips n have shared it to 5 other people.We ALL LOVE THEM N THANK YOU for sharing .
Respectfully, Joanna Roe
My son wanted to make something for his girlfriend’s family for Christmas. This was perfect. He mastered it easily and they all enjoyed snacking on them over the holidays. We even had all the ingredients around the house so there were no lat minute store runs. It’s a perfect snack and gift.
That’s great! Thank you for the terrific rating.
~Donya
I don’t like them real spicy. I heat the oil with the pepper flakes and let it steep for a few minutes. I then strain the flakes out. Perfect amount of heat for me.
Very easy and delicious
Glad you made and enjoyed the crackers!
~Donya
How long do they keep for??
Im thinking of making these with avocado oil for a thanksgiving snacky snack!
Hey there Trish!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe, I think you’re really going to love it, these cracker would make a perfect snack for Thanksgiving! If you store these crackers in an airtight container or Ziploc bag, they will stay fresh for about 5-7 days before getting a stale. I hope this was helpful, please let me know how everything turns out, I really hope you enjoy! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
~Donya
Hello folks,
I’ve been making these crackers for about 25 years. I’ve noticed changes over the years. I always use 2 packages of the Ranch seasoning mix. This past weekend I followed this recipe while visiting friends. The minute I tried them, I knew something was different. Please give it a try using 2 packages of Ranch seasoning mix.. I believe you might enjoy it even more.
I’ve also seen the recipes having you put them in the oven. It’s totally not necessary.
Hey there Donna!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe and for sharing your experience with it! Using two packets of ranch seasoning is a great idea, you can never have too much of that delicious flavor. If you enjoyed this recipe, you should check out my Spicy Cheese Cracker Snack Mix recipe, it’s just as simple to make and the flavors are incredible. I really appreciate your support, be sure to let me know if you ever have any questions about a recipe, I’d be happy to help!
~Donya
Great recipe yummy
Hey there Maryanne!
Thank you so much for your kind words of support, I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe! If you liked these crackers, you should check out my Spicy Cheese Cracker Snack Mix, it’s super easy to make and perfect to enjoy while watching the game! I really appreciate your support, if you ever have any questions about a dish, please don’t hesitate to ask!
~Donya
I made these and the flavor was amazing, but they were really oily! I subbed vegetable oil… is that why?!
Hey there Jamie!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe! If you give this recipe another try, I would recommend sticking to the original ingredients and see how that turns out, I’ve never had a problem with oiliness so my guess would be that using canola oil instead of veggie oil will be your best bet. I hope this helps, let me know how everything turns out if you give the recipe another try!
~Donya
I did the same recipe but, I did a pinch of chili powder, 1tsp cayenne pepper, sprinkled with everything bagel”s OH My Goodness, they are so good.
Hey there Deborah!
Thank you so much for sharing and for your fantastic rating, I am so happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe! Adding chili powder, cayenne and everything seasoning was a GREAT idea, I’ve never thought of that but I’m definitely going to give it a try, sounds delicious. Thank you for your support, if you ever have any questions about a recipe I’d be more than happy to help!
~Donya
Can you use club crackers instead of saltines?
Hey there Lee!
Yes you absolutely can club crackers! I will tell you, they’re a little more crumbly so some may break, but you can totally give it a try. Let me know how you like this recipe, I hope you have a Happy New Year!
~Donya
I try to avoid oils. Has anyone tried subbing veggie broth instead of oil??
Hey there Joni!
That’s a good question! I’ve never tried to use veggie broth instead of oil, but I think that the veggie broth would end up making the crackers soggy if I had to guess. If you wanted to try a healthier option instead of canola oil, you could try using avocado oil or coconut oil. I hope this helps, let me know if you end up trying it, I hope you enjoy!
Best,
~Donya
I have been making these for years and they are so good! If you want to try using veggie broth, I would experiment by baking them immediately after pouring the mixture on them. Have the oven already preheated, probably 400*. It’s certainly worth a try. This is a very inexpensive recipe. You won’t be out much if it doesn’t work.
Hey there Dawn!
Thank you so much for sharing! That sounds like a great idea, definitely worth giving it a try. These crackers make the BEST snack, thank you for your support. I hope you have a great day!
~Donya
A co-worker brought these a potluck at work and now…we’ve asked her to bring them to every potluck going forward! So delicious and addicting!
Question-can u substitute the oil for butter? I’ve seen a Ritz cracker recipe that used butter instead of oil, but they had to bake them? I’m going to try my hand at these today, but won’t want to change the recipe if it’s going to alter the original…because it’s so good!
Hey there Dawn!
Wow! Thank you so much for your kind words, I am so happy to hear that everyone at your work enjoyed these tasty cracker, they’re definitely a great potluck dish! I’ve tried this recipe with butter before and it does work, but personally I prefer the original more. I would recommend that you try making a batch with oil and another batch with melted butter and see which one you like more, after all, cooking is all about personal preferences. Thank you so much for your kind words of support, please let me know how everything turns out, I hope you enjoy!
~Donya
Love these. I have a rather large Tupperware that I mix/store these in. Just pour it over top and gently turn the container until all crackers are coated in the deliciousness.
Hey Cameron!
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, it’s so simple but so tasty! Thank you so much for your fantastic rating and your support, I appreciate it!
~Donya
So after you let the crackers marinate you dip the crackers out of the mixture
Hey there Kaye!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe, I think you’re really going to love it! What you’ll want to do is let the crackers marinate for a total of 20 minutes, making sure that you toss them about every 5 minutes. After they are coated in the flavorful mixture, you remove them and then store them in a large Ziploc bag. I hope this is helpful, let me know how everything turns out!
~Donya
Can you use olive oil instead of canola oil?
Hey Kim.
It will have a heavier flavor but sure, you can use it. Let me know how things turn out.
Have a great day,
~Donya
Do they get soggy
Hey Nora. Nope, they do not get soggy at all. They are full of flavor and crunchy.
Enjoy!
~Donya
I am sure my kids will love these! Such a great snack idea!
Thanks, Toni! My boys love them and so do their friends.
XO,
~Donya
I can see these being popular on the weekend for game-watching!
You are so right, Dorothy! They disappear quickly.
XO,
~Donya
We make these ALL the time! We lay the saltines in a rectangular container with a tight fitting lid. We then pour the oil mixture all over the crackers and keep flipping the container.
These are addictive! Thanks for sharing the recipe. We also add garlic powder to the mix =)
Jett
That are addictive, Jett! I love the addition of garlic powder. I’ll give that a try next time. Thanks so much for stopping by!
XO,
~Donya
These are definitely addicting! An easy way we make them is to lay the saltines in a long “shoebox looking” Rubbermaid container with a tight fitting lid. Pour the mixture over the top and keep flipping the box over & over. That way everything is all together getting happy!
I’d rather use email address southernborn@att.net since I have access to a printer on that address. Thank you!!! Definite making several of the recipes I’ve seen already!! Glad I found you.
I love these!
Thanks. Donna! Made these before and they are a treat. I forgot what size package of the ranch seasoning to use.
You are so welcome, Christine! These are wicked good for sure. I use one package of ranch mix or 3 tablespoons of the seasoning in the larger container. I hope this helps.
XO,
~Donya