Skip to Content

The Best Spicy Oyster Crackers Recipe (Firecrackers)

Sharing is caring!

Step up your game day party food with the Best Spicy Oyster Crackers.


Known as Firecrackers, these little crackers are loaded with delicious flavor and crunch!

Made with just a handful of ingredients, Firecrackers are an easy party appetizer that are ready in a matter of minutes!

There is a brown paper rectangular serving dish lined with brown paper with small round baked crackers with seasoning on them in the dish. There are a few crackers on the surface in front of the dish. There are 2 brown bottles in the background. Items are on a wood surface.

Why We Love Spicy Ranch Crackers

  • Simple Ingredients: A tasty snack that is made with basic spices and cooking oil that you already have in your panty.
  • Easy Recipe: This Firecrackers Recipe can be made up in no time. The instructions are incredibly easy to follow, even for first time cooks.
  • An Addictive Snack: Once you taste the irresistible combination of zesty ranch flavors and baked crunchiness, you won’t be able to stop snacking on this great snack.
  • Versatile: Spicy oyster crackers are the perfect snack for movie night, game night, or game day! 

During the holiday season, spicy oyster crackers make the perfect last minute gift!


Fill up a glass jar or a decorative air-tight container with homemade crackers and tie a festive ribbon around it. 

Ingredients For The Best Spicy Oyster Crackers Recipe 

There is a large clear glass bowl with little round light yellow crackers in it. There is a small white plate with four small piles of seasonings on it (garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and ground black pepper). There is a packet of powdered ranch seasoning. There is a small white bowl with light yellow oil in it. Items are on a white marbled surface.

What You Will Need

  • Oyster crackers (see FAQ’s)
  • Ranch dressing mix
  • Vegetable oil (see Variations)
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Black pepper

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

Vegetable Oil: The oil for this recipe needs to be light and neutral in flavor.

Some good alternatives to vegetable oil would be canola oil, avocado oil, or a very light olive oil.

Seasonings: Make these spicy crackers in your own unique way by adjusting the amount of seasoning for your personal taste.

Try a bit of dill weed or fajita seasoning.

For extra spicy crackers a dash of cajun seasoning!

How To Make Spicy Ranch Oyster Crackers

There is a rectangular baking tray lined with light brown paper on an angle. There is a single layer of baked seasoned coated little round crackers on the tray. Tray is on a white marbled surface.

Simple Steps

  • Prepare Baking Sheets.
  • Preheat oven.

Make Spicy Ranch Mix

  • In a small bowl combine the vegetable oil and all the spices.
  • Whisk to throughly mix.

Coat Crackers

  • Place all the crackers in a large bowl.
  • Pour the seasoned oil mixture over the crackers.
  • Gently stir the crackers with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until they are evenly coated with the spice mix.
  • Let the seasoned crackers sit until all the oil is absorbed.

Bake And Serve

There is a rectangular baking tray lined with light brown paper. There is a single layer of seasoned coated little round crackers on the tray. Tray is on a white marbled surface.
  • Spread the seasoned crackers in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. 
  • Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake crackers until golden brown.  
  • Mix the crackers halfway through the baking time.
  • Remove the crackers from the oven and let cool before serving. 

For the full recipe, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

There is a corner of a wood board showing. On the board there are 2 tall brown paper cups lined with brown paper. There are small round baked crackers with seasoning on them in the cups. There is rolled up slices of light yellow cheese, slices of salami and roast beef laying on the board in front of the cups. There is a small pile of orange colored dried apricots, small tomatoes, and black berries. Wooden board is on a white marbled surface.

Firecrackers are a great addition to a charcuterie board.

Other tasty appetizers to serve along with spicy oyster crackers at your next party!

Pigs In A Blanket – A crowd favorite!

Easy Cheesy Meatball Sliders

Bacon Wrapped Dates

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Store Spicy Oyster Crackers?

Store ranch oyster crackers in an airtight container or a Ziploc bag for up to one week at room temperature.

What Other Crackers Can I Use To Make Spicy Firecrackers?

Mini saltine crackers are a great option for this recipe as well as full size saltines crackers.

Why Are Oyster Crackers Called Oyster Crackers?

The origin of the name oyster cracker is unclear.

What is known is that these crackers were originally tossed in the bottom of oyster stew and clam chowder.

To this day it is very common to serve oyster crackers with a bowl of soup.

Can I Make My Own Ranch Seasoning?

Yes, you can make ranch seasoning at home. You just need a handful of dry seasonings!

There is a wooden bowl with small round baked crackers with seasoning on them, in the bowl. There are about 12 crackers laying in front of the bowl. There are 2 brown Miller Lite beer bottles in the background. There is a white fringed cloth napkin next to the bowl.

Looking for more easy recipes? Try these delicious dishes!

Yield: 10 cups

The Best Spicy Oyster Crackers Recipe (Firecrackers)

There is a brown paper rectangular serving dish lined with brown paper with small round baked crackers with seasoning on them in the dish. There are a few crackers on the surface in front of the dish. There are 2 brown bottles in the background. Items are on a wood surface.

Known as Firecrackers, these little crackers are loaded with delicious flavor and crunch!

Made with just a handful of ingredients, Firecrackers are an easy party appetizer that are ready in a matter of minutes.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • 18 ounces oyster crackers
  • 1 packet of ranch dressing mix (1 ounce size)
  • 1 cup + 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons red pepper flakes
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
  2. Line two large rimmed baking trays with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set them aside.
  3. In a small bowl combine the vegetable oil, ranch seasoning, red pepper flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Whisk to throughly mix.
  4. Place all the crackers in a large mixing bowl.
  5. Pour the seasoned oil mixture over the crackers.  Use a large spoon or rubber spatula and gently stir the crackers until they are evenly coated with the spice mix.
  6. Let the crackers sit for about 30 minutes, gently stirring a few times. This is to make sure the oil mixture is being absorbed into all the crackers and not sitting at the bottom of the bowl.
  7. Spread the seasoned crackers in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. 
  8. Place the sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.
  9. Mix the crackers halfway through the baking time to create golden brown spicy crackers with the perfect crunch!
  10. Remove crackers from the oven and let cool before serving. 

Notes

Variations and Substitutions

Vegetable Oil: The oil for this recipe needs to be light and neutral in flavor. Some good alternatives to vegetable oil would be canola oil, avocado oil, or a very light olive oil.

Seasonings: Make these spicy crackers in your own unique way by adjusting the amount of seasoning for your personal taste. Try a bit of dill weed or fajita seasoning. For extra spicy crackers a dash of cajun seasoning!

How To Store Spicy Oyster Crackers

Store ranch oyster crackers in an airtight container or a Ziploc bag for up to one week at room temperature.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest


Skip to Recipe