Alabama Firecrackers

... from Aunt Sandy's Kitchen

• Serves: 20-30 people
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Additional Time: 9 hours
• Cooking (optional): 30 minutes

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If you've never tried Alabama Firecrackers, you're in for a fiery Southern treat! These spicy, seasoned saltine crackers are bursting with bold flavor—thanks to a zesty blend of ranch, garlic, and red pepper flakes. They’re crunchy, addictive, and make the perfect snack for parties, game day, or just munching on with a cold glass of sweet tea. No baking required—just mix, marinate, and enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 box (16 ounces) of saltine crackers
• 1⅔ cup vegetable oil
• 1 packet (2 ounces) ranch seasoning mix (dry)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1-2 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust for desired heat level)
• ½-1 teaspoon paprika
• ¼-½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)

Directions

1. In a gallon resealable plastic bag, add ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Seal bag and shake to mix seasonings together.
2. Open bag and add oil to the bag, reseal (really good), and lightly shake the bag to mix the oil and seasoning together.
3. Place all the saltine crackers in the bag and seal the bag (really good).
4. Lightly (so the crackers don't break) turn the bag over and over till the crackers are evenly coated with the oil seasoning mixture. Turn bag over every 10 minutes for the first hour.
5. Let the bag sit for about an hour then repeat the hourly turning of the bag several times until crackers are well coated with the oil seasoning mixture.
6. Allow the bag(s) to sit for 8 hours to overnight so that all the oil is absorbed.
7. For optional extra crispiness: (1) Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) (2) Spread the coated crackers in a single layer on a cookie sheet (3) Bake for about 30 minutes (4) On a wire rack, let the crackers cool.

Enjoy!