So, I had some of these crack-tastic crackers in Warrenton, TX, recently and I had to try and re-create them. I don’t like to joke about drugs, especially crack, but really, these are so addicting. So, just say NO…if you must. You won’t eat just one, I can guarantee you that. So, maybe you should say no. It’s up to you, I’m not your mother.
I perused the internet for some similar recipes that use a Ranch dressing packet, like the little oyster crackers that I am also fond of eating. The ones that I had eaten had more of a kick. A red pepper kick. I found a couple of recipes that sounded good and then changed them to my liking. Here goes. Please share. You will be hooked. These are not your every day cracker. They are for a special occasion. Like a Tuesday.
Crack-tastic Crackers
1 – 1 1/4 cup canola oil (you decide how much you want to use)
1 packet Ranch dressing mix
2-3 Tbs. red pepper flakes (I used close to 3…a little warm)
4 sleeves of Saltine crackers (give or take…however many you can fit in your mixing bowl)
1) Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl for a good long while (5-10 minutes), to really get the crackers coated. Eat a few if you want.
2) Lay them out on a cookie sheet and drizzle the yummy, ranchy, peppery oil that’s in the bottom of the bowl, over the top of the crackers. Bake at 250 degrees for 15-20 minutes, stirring them around about halfway through.
3) Let them cool and store in a big ol’ baggie. Or a few little baggies. My husband has his bag ready to take to work.
That’s it! So very easy and a great snack for a game or party. Or a Tuesday.
P.S. I did make a really nice harvest salad tonight to offset my cracker munchies. I’m not all bad.
Hey Amanda, you are so clever. I certainly will try your saltine crackers recipe. Good for the good ole Okla vs. Texas game this week. Saltines are a favorite of ours, with lots of butter of course and potato soup. But, this sounds like fun. Would be good with a ground beef dip. I love all your stories and love those two beautiful children. And Mama of course, and donot forget Sanny. Libby OD
These are also AWESOME in mini…just use the box of mini-saltines…SOOOOO yummy. And just don’t even pretend that you won’t eat a lot, b/c it just HAPPENS. Now I have to go make some…see what you did!
I have made these for several years but someone told me to use cheese nips instead of saltines,I
use regular cheddar and white cheddar, they are delicious, I cannot keep them long at my house and if I send them somewhere they send the package back for more!!!
Now that sounds good! I’ll have to try that. Thanks!
Where did you get this recipe? This exact recipe has been passed down on my husband’s side of the family for years. Just curious and yes, it’s always a big hit when we make them!
I can’t remember exactly where I found it? I actually found some similar recipes using the Ranch dressing mix and just kind of did my own thing with it to get it where I thought it resembled the ones I had eaten…by adding the pepper, etc. I just LOVE them! We can’t have them in the house very often, because we eat them!
Been making these for years. Although i just put mine in a big plastic box with a lid, toss the crackers in and pour the oil on then the ranch dressing and pepper flakes. Then i shake the box a few times and everytime I go into the kitchen for a few hours and there done. Never heard of putting them in the oven. Not sure what that does.
Have you tried this recipe with oyster crackers? Just curious.
I haven’t tried them with oyster crackers, but I’m sure it would be great! I’ve had the similar oyster cracker recipe, without the pepper flakes and I’m sure it would be just as good. Let me know how it turns out!
I made them after seeing them posted on Pinterest. The only change I made was using whole wheat saltines which was what I had on hand. They’re great! Thanks for sharing.
I make these all the time. You don’t have to put them in the oven. I use a large pickle jar. Drizzle the oil mixture over the crackers in the jar and lay the jar on it’s side. Give it a little roll every few minutes until all of the oil is absorbed.
I like the baked-in taste the baking gives them.
But I do know you can make them without using the oven. A timesaver too I’m sure. Thanks!
I’ve never put the crackers in the oven. I use an assortment of crackers; multi-grain saltines, wheat thins, oyster cracker. Also peanuts, sesame sticks, pretzels, bagel chips. I use my tupperware cake canister to mix all the crackers up. These are very addicting
This sounds great with all the additions. I’ll have to try. I just really like the way the oven gives it a baked-in taste, but I still love with or without the oven. Just my preference!
OMG, my co-worker brought these to work before, and they are so GOOD! Thanks for the recipe!
You’re welcome! They are addictive for sure!
Wonder how this would work with the mini saltines?
I’ve heard it works just as great! I think this recipe is easily adaptable to anything you want to add.
I have been making these for years, but never in the oven, I use a large zip lock bag or container and shake them around to insure all crackers are thoroughly coated and then ready to eat. Great with chili or alone. great cheap fast appetizer
I make these w/o baking them also. I usually put the pepper flakes & dressing mix in the oil, stir, & let sit for about 30 minutes before adding to crackers; this helps get the flavor into the oil. Also, try different spice blends, & different “cracker” combos – cheese crackers work great. I usually make a double batch using oyster crackers, saltine minis, regular cheezits & a flavored cheezit. These are definitely addicting!
Okay, I must be blind. Where in the grocery store do you get the ranch dressing packets? I have looked several times and just can’t seem to be able to find them.
I assume when you say packet you are referring to a dry mix like the size of a McCormic chili seasoning etc…
Help?
Hi there! The Hidden Valley Ranch packets are near the bottled salad dressings usually. In my store, they are on a different aisle than the McCormick’s packages. Check near the dressings, you should find them!
Are these good made with olive oil instead of canola oil?
I haven’t tried that, but I bet you could.
OMG! i made these last night… ate some for a snack…. ate some more for a snack… ate them for breakfast….. ate them for another snack…. and ate them for lunch… and and its only 11am…. They are great. I never would have thought that these could taste so good and be so addictive!
OHHHHH and i knew i was going to be making these, so i put just the red chili flakes in the oil a day in advance to infuse the oil, then i put the ranch seasoning in about 2 hours before i started making them. YUMMY!
Have you tried using the Ritz Pretzel chips (the small circle ones), Club cracker minis and potato sticks…. 1 bottle of Orville Butter sauce (in popcorn section), dillweed, and a ranch packet (fiesta ranch).
They are YUMMY!!!!!
Really yummy! THanks for the recipe!!!!!!!!!! Just made them and can’t wait to serve.
I’ve been making these and our friends like them. Perfect for any gathering! I use extra virgin olive oil (very light, the one used for frying). I don’t bake them either. I just mix all the ingredients (I add garlic powder too) in a bowl and pour it over the crackers (lined in a plastic container) cover them and turn over every 15mins. So easy yet a sure hit to everyone!
Maybe this is already in your comments; I didn’t read them all, but we use twice as much red pepper flakes as your recipe and call these FIRE CRACKERS.
I made these but I used a couple of dashes of cayenne pepper instead of the red pepper flakes. Delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
We first had these 7 years ago during the Round Top antique festival from Royers. We loved them so much , we paid the waitress $$$$ to share the recipe. The recipe above is CORRECT!! But, no need to bake. Mix the oil, ranch, pepper flakes in a big Tupperware bowl, place the 4 sleeves of crackers in oil mixture and rotate the bowl for 1 hour. Keep turning the bowl over and over again. Make sure your lid is tightly sealed!!! They are addicting!!!
If you add Louisiana Hot sauce to the mixture it makes them a lot better.
I make these using Nabisco Mini Crackers and a box of Ritz cheese bits. I use a 1 1/2 cups of Canola Oil and two boxes of Nabisco Mini Crackers and one box of Ritz Cheese Bits and place this in a 2 1/2 gallon zip lock bag and flip them every 15 minute for an hour and then lay them out for 1 hour to dry These are great, when you are once something different for a coating on chicken or fish crush these crackers just great.
i have made these several years but i don’t bake them, even easier.
i found that much oil is too oily so here’s my recipe: 3/4 canola oil(do not use olive oil) 1 tsp cayenne, 1 TBS red pepper flakes, 3 TBSP dry ranch mix(not the dip mix) i get all my ingredients at Sam’s because i make it so much. i mix the dry ingredients together, empty 2 stacks of crackers in a bowl(may use, multi grain, wheat, Ritz, pretzels etc) pour half the oil then sprinkle half the dry over the crackers. stir with spatula. no, they do not break. place these in a container then repeat. enjoy with everything but oatmeal . k
You can also put crackers in a big ziploc bag (or split them into two) and pour everything else over and seal. Distribute all ingredients onto crackers and let them sit overnight. Perfect to pour in a bowl and serve next morning!
I’ve never made them, but am wondering how they’re not oily, soggy or broken during the making?
I actually use Kroger Wheat crackers and do not bake them at all. I line up crackers in a tupperware container pour the solution over them and set a couple of hours. crackers absorb the oil and stay crispy. been making these for years.
Hi! I made the “Crack-tastic Crackers” from another recipe that called for extra light virgin olive oil. They were not good!! I had them at a party and they were YUMMY!! Does the canola oil do the trick? How much do you use? I LOVED these when someone else made them. My recipe was the pits and used a whole box of crackers! Oh, also used the whole wheat to make it healthier. I think that would be a great suggestion with the right oil. Thanks so much for your help!!!
Hi! I’ve only used the canola oil, so I can only speak to that. I also use 4 sleeves of Saltine crackers when I make them. Hope this helps!
I use this recipe with stick pretzels. I mix everything (including pretzels) in a large bowl. I then put all in 2 large ziplock bags and shake every 15 min or so for about 45 min. They store beautifully and are truly addictive!
So glad you like! Thanks for the post. Us Southerners know how to eat!
when I make these, I put the crackers in a large brown grocery bag then pour the seasoned oil over the crackers, fold the top down to seal and shake til they’re all coated.
That way there is very little clean up.
True!