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Recipe Index » Course » Appetizers » Alabama Fire Crackers

Alabama Fire Crackers

Published by Meaghan on January 24, 2013 | last updated on February 25, 2022.

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Looking for a fun new snack idea? These Alabama Fire Crackers are easy to mix up and full of flavor. A little bit spicy, a lot savory, they’re the real deal and a beloved Southern tradition that can be served as a snack or an appetizer.

Alabama Fire Crackers in a white bowl on a white polka dotted blue cloth background with various spices in the background

Any of you with teenage boys, really boys of any age, will understand it when I say that my kids are always hungry.

Always.

Alabama Fire Crackers in a white bowl on a white polka dotted blue cloth background with various spices in the background

If you didn’t know better, their appetites would give you the impression that they hadn’t seen a good meal in who knows how long.

Anytime, day or night, they’re ready for a meal or two.

Alabama Fire Crackers in a white bowl on a white polka dotted blue cloth background with various spices

To their great dismay, in between regular meals they have to settle for a snack.

Have you been to the grocery stores lately?

Snacks are seriously expensive and prices seem to climb higher every week.

In an effort to keep my food costs down, and also to keep my four hungry monsters at bay, I try to find affordable alternatives I can make myself.

Spicy Ranch Seasoned Saltine Crackers in a white bowl on a white polka dotted blue cloth

I had stumbled onto this recipe on allrecipes and it looked incredibly easy, yet bursting with flavor, so I knew I had to give it a go.

I struck gold!

Not only did my boys love it, my husband also heartily approved.

It’s since become a regularly recurring snack selection and a game day and party request.

Alabama Fire Crackers in a white bowl on a white polka dotted blue cloth background

This Alabama Fire Crackers recipe is a crowd-pleaser.

For my guys, because they’re full again. For me, because they’re full and that didn’t require hours spent in the kitchen, a hole in my wallet, or leave me utterly exhausted. It’s literally the perfect snack.

Alabama Fire Crackers on a black slate background with more in a white bowl in the distance

I can whip up a batch before I got to bed, and know I don’t have to worry about anything and it’s ready when they come home.

Tips & Tricks To Keep In Mind

So a few notes about this recipe before we get started:

  • Do use the canola oil. You can sub vegetable oil, if that’s a sticking point, but don’t sub olive oil. Olive oil won’t absorb nearly as well. While these crackers can be a bit ‘greasy’, with olive oil they will just be gross- it won’t absorb nearly as well.
  • Do Not Skip The Oil. Yes, you want the oil bit because it absorbs into the saltines and gives them a delicious texture of crisp, yet still smooth & crumbly. Without it, the crackers won’t taste like much and the seasonings will just fall right off. Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it!
  • Increase or decrease the amount of red pepper flakes to adjust the heat to your liking. This is especially important to keep in mind if making this snack with kids in mind.

These crackers are super easy, and extra yummy, but- as hinted at in the title, they are kinda spicy. You can easily nix the spice by ignoring the red pepper flakes which will leave you with an equally delicious, more mild snack cracker.

Alabama Fire Crackers in a white bowl on a white polka dotted blue cloth background

What Crackers Can I Use?

I know the recipe quite obviously calls for saltine crackers, but sometimes we all have to make due with what we have on hand.

So if you don’t have saltine style crackers, all’s not lost- you can still get your snack fix!

Try these other options instead:

  • ritz crackers
  • club crackers
  • oyster crackers
  • cheez it crackers – YES, you read that right!

Saltine’s are ideal because they’re low in sodium, and the ranch dressing mix called for is very salty.

So keep that in mind when deciding on a cracker alternative.

Other Snack Ideas You Might Also Enjoy:

  • Roast Beef & Dijon Cream Cheese Snack Crackers
  •  Blueberry Cheesecake Snack Cracker Bites
  •  Nonna’s Homemade Broccoli Hummus Dip
  •  Cherry Berry Fruit Salad
 

If you’ve tried these ALABAMA FIRE CRACKERS, or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!

Alabama Fire Crackers

Slightly spicy, these specially seasoned snack crackers are finger lickin good & easy enough for anyone to whip up. They taste better than any store bought version, without much extra effort making them a great go-to snack or appetizer.
4.08 from 108 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 hours
Total Time: 12 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 34kcal
Author: Meaghan @ 4 Sons R Us
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 1 box of saltine crackers 16 oz
  • 1 2/3 cup canola oil
  • 2 packets ranch dressing mix
  • 2 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Add oil, ranch, red pepper, garlic, onion, and black pepper. Seal bag.
  • Using your hands mix ingredients around together until evenly combined.
  • Add crackers to the bag. Seal again.
  • Turn the bag over several times to coat crackers with the spice mix.
  • Lay the bag flat and let it sit for about an hour
  • Turn the bag over, repeating several times until the crackers are thoroughly coated with the spice mix.
  • Allow the bag to sit overnight.
  • Remove the crackers from the bag and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 34kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 37mg | Potassium: 29mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 395IU | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Share it on Instagram @4sonsrus or tag #4sonsrus!

Pictures Updated 7/26/2018

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Hi! I’m Meaghan

Welcome to my kitchen. Pull up a chair and get ready to dig into family friendly, easy recipes and meal ideas. I’m a self proclaimed, proud pickle snob and cheese lover. Aside from that, I’m also the mom to 4 busy boys, elementary school through college aged. My boys keep my husband and I busy, and boy, do they like to eat. A lot. Read more...

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Comments

  1. SHARON MILLER says

    February 26, 2021 at 1:57 pm

    Once made, how long will they stay fresh?

    Reply
    • 4sonsrus says

      February 26, 2021 at 4:58 pm

      Roughly 2-3 days when stored in an airtight container or ziplocking bag.

      Reply
  2. Roy says

    April 27, 2021 at 6:29 pm

    I find that the ranch dressing mix make them to salty. Add more seasoning works well.

    Reply
  3. Ada says

    October 17, 2021 at 10:15 am

    Love these crackers. This is my favorite recipe for them by far. Even my 3 year old tears them up!

    Reply
  4. Michele says

    August 26, 2022 at 10:00 am

    We use olive oil and not gross at all. Not sure how they would be different and may have to try vegetable oil but canola oil is highly inflammatory and my body just can’t handle it.

    Reply
  5. Kris says

    December 29, 2022 at 5:45 pm

    5 stars
    Love these! Anyone try to make with gluten free crackers? They don’t seem to absorb like regular crackers. Tried to bake, it helped, still not the same.

    Reply
  6. Jan says

    February 12, 2023 at 8:30 am

    5 stars
    I always use a high quality Olive oil. Never had a problem with them being greasy, but I bake them in the oven 20 minutes at 350 after they soak in bag all night!

    Reply
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Welcome to 4 Sons ‘R’ Us

Hi! I’m Meaghan. Welcome to my kitchen. Pull up a chair and get ready to dig into family friendly, easy recipes and meal ideas.

I’m a self proclaimed, proud pickle snob and cheese lover. Aside from that, I’m also the mom to 4 busy boys, elementary school through college aged. My boys keep my husband and I busy, and boy, do they like to eat. A lot.

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