Ingredients
For the Crackers:
- 4 cups Cheez-Its, saltines, or oyster crackers
- ⅓ cup melted butter (or olive oil)
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix (or 2 tbsp homemade ranch seasoning)
For the Spice Mix:
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for heat level)
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, but adds extra flavor)
Instructions
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. Coat the Crackers
- In a large mixing bowl, add your crackers of choice.
- Pour in the melted butter and ranch seasoning mix, tossing to coat.
- Sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and salt.
- Toss everything together until the crackers are evenly coated.
3. Bake for Maximum Crunch
- Spread the seasoned crackers evenly on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through for even crispiness.
- Remove from oven and let them cool completely (they’ll crisp up more as they cool).
4. Add Parmesan (Optional) & Serve
- If using, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese while still warm.
- Serve and enjoy immediately, or store for later!
Notes
Tips for the Best Fire Crackers
✅ Use fresh, high-quality crackers – Stale crackers won’t get as crispy.
✅ Adjust the spice – If you love extra heat, add more cayenne and red pepper flakes!
✅ Don’t skip the stirring – Stir halfway while baking to evenly distribute the seasoning.
✅ Make them in advance – Fire crackers taste even better the next day as the flavors develop!
✅ Try different crackers – Experiment with Ritz, club crackers, or even Goldfish for variety.