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Alabama Fire Crackers

Alabama Fire Crackers- this savory, spicy snack is a long time southern party favorite. Made with Saltine crackers, ranch seasoning, and lots of crushed red pepper flakes, it’s hard to not want to eat cracker after cracker.

Alabama Fire Crackers in a blue bowl.

So Easy To Make

This recipe only takes about 10 minutes to make. You’ll combine 2 packets of Ranch dressing mix, some garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes with oil in a large ziptop bag. Add a box of Saltine crackers and then close the bag and gently turn it until all the crackers are coated.

Let Sit 24 Hours

Once the crackers are completely coated, let them sit for 24 hours, or at least overnight.

Bake The Crackers

Spread the crackers out in a single layer on baking sheets. Note: You may have to do 2 batches. Bake at 250 degrees for 15 minutes.

Crackers in a single layer of baking sheet.

How To Serve Alabama Fire Crackers

Not only do these crackers make a great snack or party food, they go great with a bowl of soup or chili.

Level Of Spiciness

With 2 to 3 tablespoons of crushed red pepper flakes, these crackers are seriously spicy! If you want them less spicy, just add 1 tablespoon of crushed red pepper flakes. They will still be delicious with lots of ranch flavor.

Variation

Try using Ritz crackers , club crackers, oyster crackers or Cheez-Its instead of Saltines

Recipe Tip

This recipe can easily be cut in half.

Alabama Fire Crackers in a blue bowl.

More Awesome Snack Recipes

Alabama Fire Crackers

Alabama Fire Crackers- this savory, spicy snack is a long time southern party favorite. Made with Saltine crackers, ranch seasoning, and lots of crushed red pepper flakes, it's hard to not want to eat cracker after cracker.
PREP: 10 minutes
COOK: 15 minutes
Let sit: 12 hours
SERVINGS: 20

Ingredients

  • 1 2/3 cups vegetable or canola oil
  • 2 (1-ounce) packets Ranch dressing mix
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 (16-ounce) box Saltine crackers

Instructions

  • Add oil, ranch dressing mix, crushed red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper to a gallon zip-top bag. Close and shake until combined.
  • Add saltine crackers to the bag. Close and gently turn the bag until all crackers are coated.
  • Let bag sit at room temperature overnight.
  • Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Arrange crackers in single layers on baking sheets. (Do multiple batches if neccesary.)
    Bake for 15 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 256kcal
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Southern
Keyword: Saltines, spicy

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31 thoughts on “Alabama Fire Crackers”

  1. Always a hir at partys! Live this easy to make recipe. It also pairs well with all types of dips and cheese!

  2. Delicious and my family couldn’t get enough of them. Made a batch for work, and they were gone by the end of the day. My co-workers are already asking for more

  3. I followed the recipe without having to bake them BUT, because of the saltiness of the saltines, and in the ranch seasoning, I think I’ll try the unsalted saltines the next time. Besides that, these crackers were a hit with my family and coworkers.

  4. My husband can’t get enough of these. He literally has me making them every week now. Great for traveling!

  5. Good but awfully greasy. Oily. I may have made them wrong. I’m doing three more batches so perhaps they’ll improve.

    1. Julie I found the are not greasy if you don’t use the generic brands with this. I use Crisco and original Premium crackers. Each person is different, but I tried using generic brands and it just didn’t work for us.

  6. Made them, but did not bake them! My friend makes the best and does NOT bake them, lets them set in bag 8 hours or overnight. She uses canola oil, but EVOO is good too.

  7. I got this recipe from a friend in TX about 15 years ago. She used one ingredient that I’ve NEVER seen in any Frecracker recipe. Instead of two ranch packets, substitute one for a powdered cheese packet from a cheap box of mac and cheese. It’s amazing and completely changes the flavor.

  8. I’m a 911 dispatcher and I take them to work for snacking frequently.. now I make 3 to 4 batches at a time for me and some of the officers.. they love them

  9. An absolute hit in my home. We’ve been looking for a recipe for a while, and have tried several others that just slightly missed the mark. These are the ticket!

  10. How do I store these so they don’t get soft? I’d like to bring them as a savory option to a cookie exchange. Thank you.

  11. Gary Thordarson

    These are great! I always have some on hand. They are great alone, or in a soup. I modify the recipe a bit.
    I use two one gallon zip locks, instead of one. I use 3 Tbs of ranch, tsp onion powder, tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp black pepper and 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper in each bag. Add 3/4 cup vegetable oil to each bag and mix it up. Add two packages saltines (Zesta for me) to each bag and mix them up. I shake and flip the bags every five minutes or so, to make sure all the crackers get a coating. Also, I substitute 1/8 cup of the oil with toasted sesame oil. Bake as directed in the recipe. Sometimes I only let the crackers soak in the oil mix for about 4 hours, and they turn out fine. What is more important, is that they are well coated. You won’t regret making these. They taste great on their own, or crushed up in a soup.

  12. Love this recipe!! Everyone I’ve shared AFC’s with has loved them; especially my Alabama friends! I did make them with Ritz crackers and cheese crackers last time and the crowd went wild. This is a very versatile recipe when it comes to crackers as long as the crackers don’t have any extra seasoning previously applied.
    Thank you for publishing this recipe❣️❣️

    1. Thank you for posting this recipe. I made them years ago but lost the recipe. I am so happy to find this! I always cut the oil quite a bit and they turn out great. I use oyster Crackers but I think you could use anything as long as it can absorb the favors. I’m adding Spicy Southern Kitchen to my bookmarks!

  13. Gary Thordarson

    Delicious snack. I split the recipe into two one gallon ziplocks. Full amount of seasoning and two packages crackers in both bags, but only use 3/4 cup oil in each bag. Of the 3/4, I substitute 1/8 cup of it with toasted sesame oil. Gives it a nutty smokey flavor.

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