Saltine crackers may seem dull and boring, but these Alabama Fire Crackers are the opposite.
Seasoned with the perfect blend of spices, these crackers are bangin’ delicious!
They’re crisp and crunchy and flavored perfectly with red pepper flakes, onion, garlic, and ranch dressing mix. What’s not to love?
The blend of seasonings, along with hours of marinating, makes the crackers insanely addictive.
They’re so good, you might choose them over a bag of chips.
The best part is, they’re super easy to prepare. You won’t even need a bowl. Just a Ziploc bag will do.
There’s absolutely no cooking necessary. Sure, they take hours to marinate, but the hands-on prep will take no longer than 10 minutes.
If you’re looking for a unique party appetizer, well, the search is over. These Alabama fire crackers will liven your festivities like no other.
Alabama Fire Crackers
If you think saltines are no fun, these Alabama fire crackers will shock you. They’re insanely rich and buttery and full of flavor!
The secret is the perfect blend of ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and red chili pepper flakes.
It’s the ultimate formula for success.
Salty, spicy, with a little bit of tang, these crackers are ridiculously addictive. Dip or no dip, they’re phenomenal.
So don’t be surprised when you devour the whole batch in a matter of minutes.
Just because it packs a bit of heat doesn’t mean the kids can’t join in on the fun!
The crackers may be peppered, but trust me, they are still kid-friendly.
I highly suggest you double or triple this recipe if you are serving a crowd.
Don’t worry, this recipe does not require any form of cooking. So even if you are an amateur in the kitchen, you can easily nail it.
Ingredients
This recipe calls for basic pantry ingredients that you most likely already have on hand. That’s the beauty of Alabama fire crackers. Here’s what you’ll need.
- Vegetable Oil. Use high-quality oil for the best taste. Extra virgin olive oil, in particular, as it gives the crackers such a unique, nutty flavor. It also keeps the crackers from tasting greasy.
- Ranch Dressing Mix. The key ingredient that gives a perfect balance of salty and tangy flavors to the crackers.
- Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Ground Black Pepper. These seasonings enhance the flavor of the crackers. Their flavor profiles also blend wonderfully with the ranch dressing mix.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes. They’re called “fire” crackers, after all! This is how the crackers get that awesome spice. Don’t be afraid to add those 3 tablespoons. It may seem like a lot, but it’s just the perfect amount!
- Saltine Crackers. The star of the dish. This recipe calls for multi-grain saltine crackers, but any kind or flavor works. I highly recommend crackers that are already seasoned with salt, though, as they remain crunchy even after marinating.
Tips for the Best Crackers
- Be sure each cracker is coated with the spice marinade. You can achieve this by flipping the bag over several times during the marinating process.
- Patience is key! Give the crackers at least 8 hours in the fridge before snacking on them. This will allow the crackers to absorb all the flavors from the marinade. Besides, the crackers will still be greasy if you eat them prematurely.
- Adjust the spice level accordingly. Go easy on the red pepper flakes if you’re not a fan of spicy food.
- Use a 2-gallon Ziploc bag for this recipe. You’ll want to give you enough space to shake the crackers without crushing them.
- Throw Parmesan cheese into the mix for an extra layer of flavor.
- Combine the oil and spices in a large measuring cup with a spout. That way, it will be easier to pour it into the bag.
- Store leftovers in a Ziploc bag and they’ll keep nice and crisp.
- These crackers taste phenomenal on their own, but you can also serve them with a dip, such as a spinach artichoke dip, cheeseball, salsa, or guacamole.
Variations
Another great thing about Alabama firecrackers is that you can easily adjust the flavors to suit your taste. Here are some ideas:
- Can’t take the heat? Simply reduce the amount of black pepper and red pepper flakes. If you can’t get enough spicy food, add more!
- Feel free to experiment with herbs and spices. I like adding rosemary and thyme to my marinade.
- Aside from regular saltine crackers, use cheese, butter, Ritz, or thin wheat crackers as well for a variety of flavors.
What To Do With Oily Crackers
Because the marinade contains almost three cups of oil, there is a chance for the crackers to get too greasy.
In case this happens, simply spread them in a single layer on a lined baking sheet, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Not only will this help the crackers absorb the oil, but it will also make them extra crisp. Problem solved!
Alabama Fire Crackers
30
servings15
minutes181
kcalThese Alabama fire crackers give you a lot of bang for your bite! Flavored perfectly with red pepper flakes, onion, garlic, and ranch dressing mix, these tasty snacks pack a punch.
Ingredients
1 2/3 cups vegetable oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 (1-ounce) envelopes ranch dressing mix
3 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes
1 (16.5-ounce) package multi-grain saltine crackers
Instructions
- In a 2-gallon Ziploc bag, combine the vegetable oil, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, ranch dressing mix, and red pepper flakes. Seal the bag and mix the ingredients until combined.
- Place the crackers into the bag, seal the top, and shake to coat the crackers evenly. Let the bag sit on the counter for an hour, flip to coat the other side, then leave for another hour.
- Refrigerate the bag overnight before serving.
