Alabama Firecrackers are the best spicy, crispy, full-of-flavor snack! It’s so quick and easy to whip up a batch with this Firecracker Recipe using mini saltine crackers, oil, ranch dressing seasoning, and other spices.
Firecracker Recipe
Firecrackers, sometimes also called Alabama Firecrackers, are a favorite snack in the Southern U.S. It doesn’t feel like a party or holiday without these spicy little baked crackers! We love to make this Firecracker Recipe and keep a cookie jar filled for easy snacking any time.
For more delicious snack recipes, don’t miss these: Charcuterie Board | Rotel Dip with Ground Beef | The Best White Queso Dip | Taco Seasoned Oyster Crackers (air fryer recipe) | Crack Chicken Dip | Slow Cooker BBQ Pineapple Meatballs
The Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make Firecracker Recipe (the exact measurements and full recipe instructions are below in the easy to print recipe card):
- Mini saltine crackers – I usually find these mini saltines at Walmart in the cracker aisle. If you’re unable to find them, you can use regular size saltine crackers and break them into smaller pieces or leave them whole.
- Oil – you can use avocado oil, olive oil, or vegetable oil.
- Ranch dressing seasoning blend – the ranch seasoning adds a lot of wonderful tangy flavor. You can use any dry ranch dressing mix that you like, such as Hidden Valley.
- Crushed red pepper flakes – this dried crushed red pepper gives the crackers a nice hint of heat.
- Garlic powder – the garlic really bumps up the flavor. Fresh garlic does not work well for this recipe, so do use garlic powder.
- Dried dill – you can also use fresh chopped dill if you prefer.
- Cayenne pepper – this ingredient is optional, but if you really like the spice, the cayenne brings it up a notch.
How to Make Firecrackers
Pour the mini saltine crackers into a gallon zip-top plastic bag; set aside.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the oil, ranch seasoning, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, dill, and cayenne pepper.
Pour over the crackers in the zip-top bag. Seal the bag and shake until all of the crackers are coated in the seasonings and oil.
Set the crackers aside to soak in the flavors for 10-15 minutes.
Heat the oven to 250°F. I usually do this while the crackers are soaking in the oil and seasonings.
Spread crackers onto a parchment paper or foil-lined baking sheet. Bake the firecrackers at 250°F for 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool to room temperature before serving.
Variations
Less Spice – Not a fan of the spiciness? You can cut back on the red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper, or skip them altogether. The ranch dressing and other ingredients will still give the firecrackers a ton of flavor, but without the heat.
Saltine Crackers – Many people make firecrackers with regular saltine crackers and this is a great option if you prefer or can’t find the mini saltines.
Other Spices – There are other spices you can try adding to customize the flavor of your crackers. Freshly cracked black pepper is delicious, as well as some onion powder, or white pepper. Get creative!
How to Store the Crackers
Keep the leftover crackers in an airtight food storage container, such as a jar with a lid, a plastic food storage container, a zip-lock bag, or even a cookie jar. The firecrackers will stay fresh at room temperature for up to two weeks.
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Firecracker Recipe
Ingredients
- 11- ounce box mini saltine crackers
- 1/2 cup avocado oil olive oil, or vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing seasoning blend
- 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Pour the mini saltine crackers into a gallon zip-top plastic bag; set aside.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the oil, ranch seasoning, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, dill, and cayenne pepper. Pour over the crackers in the zip-top bag. Seal the bag and shake until all of the crackers are coated in the seasonings and oil. Set the crackers aside to soak in the flavors for 10-15 minutes.
- Heat the oven to 250°F.
- Spread crackers onto a parchment paper or foil lined baking sheet. Bake the firecrackers at 250°F for 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool to room temperature before serving.
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3 comments on “Alabama Firecracker Recipe”
Can you put them back into the bag you prepared them in after they are baked and cooled?
Do you think oyster crackers would work? Sound sooo good!
Sure, that sounds like a great substitute.