Alabama Firecrackers are the spicy saltine crackers that will keep you coming back for more!
The spicy cousin to ranch cheese crackers these party crackers have the heat of red pepper flake and added layers of spice with the addition of Tajin seasoning and Ranch dressing mix.

Jump to:
- Ingredients needed for Alabama Firecrackers:
- 🔄 Substitutions
- How to make Alabama Firecrackers:
- How to make Alabama Firecrackers Without Baking
- More popular recipes:
- Frequently asked questions, answers and tips:
- My Favorite Snack Recipes:
- Alabama Firecrackers
- Other Crackers That Can Be Substituted For Saltines:
- 👩🏻🍳 Sarah Mock
- Comments
This is one of my favorite poolside snacks in the summer, holiday homemade food gifts to give and they are always on the buffet at a baby or bridal showers. This recipe can easily be doubled or even tippled if you have a baking sheet big enough to bake them on.
Serve them alongside roasted tomato soup, crushed on top of beanless chili, or alongside your favorite sandwich. They are sure to bring layers of spice and flavor to any meal.
Ingredients needed for Alabama Firecrackers:
- Saltine crackers - mini saltines are what I use. Get 2 boxes.
- Oil - I use a neutral oil such as grape-seed oil but a canola oil can be substituted in.
- Onion powder
- Black pepper - ground
- Ranch Dressing Mix - I use Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning
- Crushed red pepper flakes - here is where you can add heat or make them less intense
- Tajin seasoning - optional but oh so delicious
🔄 Substitutions
- Saltines - regular size squared
- Oyster Crackers - who doesn't love a seasoned oyster cracker?!
- Cheez-Its - I Love an extra layer of cheese with this spicy cracker snack.
- Buttery round crackers - Ritz is a good option
- Wheat thins - more soaking time may be needed due to the density of the cracker
How to make Alabama Firecrackers:
- Heat together: In a microwave-safe container warm the oil and all the seasonings for 1 minute.
- Stir: stir all the seasonings to combine and further infuse the oil.
- Coat the crackers: spread the crackers on a rimmed baking sheet or in a deep roasting pan. Pour the infused oil over the crackers, scraping out all the seasoning, onto the crackers. Stir to fully coat the crackers.
- Rest the crackers: Allow the crackers to rest in the pan for at least an hour, to allow the crackers to absorb the oil and seasonings.
- Bake the crackers: Bake at 250 for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Cool the crackers: Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
How to make Alabama Firecrackers Without Baking
- Heat together: In a microwave-safe container warm the oil and all the seasonings for 1 minute.
- Stir: stir all the seasonings to combine and further infuse the oil.
- Coat the crackers: Pour the crackers into a 2-gallon ziplock bag. Pour the infused oil over the crackers, scraping out all the seasoning, onto the crackers. Seal the bag and gently turn the bag to coat the crackers.
- Rest the crackers: Allow the crackers to rest in the bag overnight to allow the crackers to absorb the oil and seasonings.
- Enjoy your party snack: Once the crackers have absorbed all the flavorings overnight, they are ready to enjoy!
More popular recipes:
- Paska Bread - We make this traditional Ukrainian Easter bread recipe every Easter holiday and use any leftovers to make the most delicious french toast.
- Seasoned Ranch Cheese Crackers - BETTER than the seasoned ranch oyster cracker recipe
- Pulled Pork - Use your slow cooker or Crock-Pot to cook is an easy way to make delicious pulled pork without turning on your oven or stovetop.
- Pork and Sauerkraut - traditional oven-roasted pork and sauerkraut recipe that cooked to perfection without drying out.
- Pineapple Dump Cake - uses a box of cake mix, canned pineapple, butter and a bit of brown sugar baked in one pan for an easy dessert that is a crowd-pleaser.
Frequently asked questions, answers and tips:
Saltines - regular size squared
Oyster Crackers - who doesn't love a seasoned oyster cracker?!
Cheez-Its - I Love an extra layer of cheese with this spicy cracker snack.
Buttery round crackers - Ritz is a good option
Wheat thins - more soaking time may be needed due to the density of the cracker
My Favorite Snack Recipes:
Seasoned Ranch Cheez-Its | Churro Chex-Mix | Nuts & Bolts Snack Mix | Alabama Firecrackers Crackers | Dill Pickle Chex-Mix
Alabama Firecrackers
There is more to a recipe than just the recipe card. Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Ingredients
- 2 boxes mini Saltine crackers
- 1 cup Grapeseed Oil
- ½ teaspoon Onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Packet
- 3 Tablespoons Crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 Tablespoon Tajin seasoning
Instructions
- Heat together: In a microwave-safe container warm the oil and all the seasonings for 1 minute.1 cup Grapeseed Oil, ½ teaspoon Onion powder, ½ teaspoon Black pepper, 2 Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Packet, 3 Tablespoons Crushed red pepper flakes, 2 Tablespoon Tajin seasoning
- Stir: stir all the seasonings to combine and further infuse the oil.
- Coat the crackers: spread the crackers on a rimmed baking sheet or in a deep roasting pan. Pour the infused oil over the crackers, scraping out all the seasoning, onto the crackers. Stir to fully coat the crackers.2 boxes mini Saltine crackers
- Rest the crackers: Allow the crackers to rest in the pan for at least an hour, to allow the crackers to absorb the oil and seasonings.
- Bake the crackers: Bake at 250 for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Cool the crackers: Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Notes
How to make Alabama Firecrackers Without Baking
- Heat together: In a microwave-safe container warm the oil and all the seasonings for 1 minute.
- Stir: stir all the seasonings to combine and further infuse the oil.
- Coat the crackers: Pour the crackers into a 2-gallon ziplock bag. Pour the infused oil over the crackers, scraping out all the seasoning, onto the crackers. Seal the bag and gently turn the bag to coat the crackers.
- Rest the crackers: Allow the crackers to rest in the bag overnight to allow the crackers to absorb the oil and seasonings.
- Enjoy your party snack: Once the crackers have absorbed all the flavorings overnight, they are ready to enjoy!
Other Crackers That Can Be Substituted For Saltines:
- Saltines - regular size squared
- Oyster Crackers - who doesn't love a seasoned oyster cracker?!
- Cheez-Its - I Love an extra layer of cheese with this spicy cracker snack.
- Buttery round crackers - Ritz is a good option
- Wheat thins - more soaking time may be needed due to the density of the cracker
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
Sharing of this recipe to social media is both encouraged and appreciated. Please share the direct link back to the recipe. Copy/Pasting and/or screenshots of the recipe to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected. SavoringTheGood®
👩🏻🍳 Sarah Mock
CEO/Owner/Founder/Culinary Blogger
Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 14 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.
Sarah Mock
good things come to those who wait! Especially when it comes to Alabama Firecrackers! Enjoy!
Elizabeth
YUM! My husband and son couldn’t stop eating them when they still had 55 minutes left to sit before I even baked them. They were even better when they were officially finished being made!
Ann
What a terrific, easy to make recipe, Sarah. Perfect for snack time.