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.
Any of you with teenage boys, really boys of any age, will understand it when I say that my kids are always hungry.
Always.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
Pictures Updated 7/26/2018
SHARON MILLER says
Once made, how long will they stay fresh?
4sonsrus says
Roughly 2-3 days when stored in an airtight container or ziplocking bag.
Roy says
I find that the ranch dressing mix make them to salty. Add more seasoning works well.
Ada says
Love these crackers. This is my favorite recipe for them by far. Even my 3 year old tears them up!
Michele says
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.
Kris says
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.
Jan says
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!