Spicy Ranch Crackers (No Bake)
This post contains affiliate links. This means we will receive a commission if you make a purchase. For more information on this type of content, please see our privacy policy .
Five minutes of mixing and a short rest turn mini saltines into these no-bake ranch crackers. They're seasoned, mildly spicy and made for sharing.
Why no bake works
These ranch crackers are no bake. Keith mixes the ranch seasoning and spices into oil and tosses it with mini saltines. Then they sit for 20 minutes to soak it all up. These were Keith's go-to for the kids' sporting events and road trips.
Keith uses a neutral oil, so you taste the ranch, not the oil. Oil also keeps them crisper than butter. They last up to a week, and the flavor gets better overnight. Make them ahead. Serve them with Beer Cheese Dip or sprinkle them over Creamy Tomato Soup.
Jump to:
What you'll need
- Mini Saltines: their bite-size shape soaks up the seasoning evenly. Regular saltines, oyster crackers or mini club crackers work too.
- Ranch dressing mix: Hidden Valley Ranch or Simply Organic gives you that classic tangy flavor.
- Garlic and onion powder: they add depth and round out the ranch.
- Red pepper flakes: just enough for a mild heat. Add more if you like it spicier.
- Vegetable oil: it helps the seasoning cling and keeps the crackers crisp. Any neutral oil works. Keith skips olive oil because its flavor takes over.
👉 see recipe card below for exact quantities
🔪 Top tip
Make them the night before. The flavor keeps developing as they sit, so they taste even better after a few hours.
How to make ranch crackers
- Mix the seasoning. In a small bowl, stir together the ranch mix, garlic powder, onion powder and red pepper flakes.
- Stir in the oil. Pour in the oil and stir until it's fully blended. The oil is what helps the seasoning cling to the crackers.
- Toss with the crackers. Put the mini saltines in a large bowl and drizzle the seasoned oil over the top. Toss gently until every cracker is coated. Tossing gently keeps them whole, and whole crackers don't soak up too much oil.
- Let them rest. Spread the crackers out on a baking sheet and let them sit for about 20 minutes so the seasoning soaks in.
- Store them. Once they've rested, move them to an airtight container.
More ways to season them
- Cheesy: toss in a few tablespoons of grated Parmesan or cheddar.
- Extra spicy: add more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
- Gluten-free: use gluten-free saltines or crackers with the same seasoning.
- Zesty: stir in a pinch of smoked paprika, cayenne, or dried dill.
🍿 More snack recipes
Make ahead and storage
- Make ahead: mix them a few hours before guests arrive, or the night before a party or tailgate. The extra time lets the flavor fully develop.
- Store: keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Re-crisp: if they lose their crunch, spread them on a baking sheet and warm them in a 250°F oven for 5 minutes.
- Pack and go: portion them into small bags or containers for lunches, road trips or game day.
FAQ
They're crackers, usually mini saltines, tossed in oil, ranch seasoning and a few extra spices. The seasoning sticks without any baking.
No, they don't need the oven. They rest for about 20 minutes so the seasoned oil soaks in.
Mini saltines are our pick, but regular saltines, oyster crackers and mini club crackers all work.
They keep for up to one week in an airtight container at room temperature.
Melted butter works, but oil keeps them crisper. Keith skips olive oil because its flavor takes over; avocado oil is a good swap.
They're mild. Use less red pepper flakes for a milder batch, or more if you like heat.
🍅 making this recipe?
- Please feel free to reach out with questions. We're happy to help.
- If you enjoyed it, please leave us a comment with ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ranch Crackers recipe
Make this no-bake ranch crackers recipe in just 5 minutes. It's a quick, flavorful snack made with mini saltines and bold seasoning.
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 package dry ranch dressing mix
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 (11 oz) boxes mini saltine crackers
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together.
- Add the oil to the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Pour the crackers into a large mixing bowl and add the oil and seasoning mixture.
- Toss gently until all the crackers are thoroughly coated.
- Spread the crackers out on a baking sheet and let stand for about 20 minutes so the oil and seasoning absorb.
- Transfer the crackers to an airtight container to store.
Notes
- Crackers: mini saltines work best because they soak up the seasoning evenly. Regular saltines or oyster crackers also work.
- Make ahead: these taste even better after a few hours. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Pack and go: portion them into small bags for an easy grab-and-go snack for lunches, road trips or game day.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Category: Snack
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 oz
- Calories: 325
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 324.9 mg
- Fat: 24.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 24.3 g
- Protein: 3.2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sounds great!! What oven temp???
Hi Marji! You don't need to bake them! Just mix all ingredients in a bag or small container and shake up! Enjoy!!
Where do I find saltine creamers?
Hi Emily, thanks for stopping by! Thank you for noticing our typo: we meant saltine crackers. This has now been corrected. Please let us know how they turn out!
Who knew saltines could taste so good? We make these all the time because the kids love them! They're so easy and SO TASTY!
How spicy are they with the red pepper flakes? I want to make them for a christmas party but want to make sure everyone can enjoy them!
They are mild, however feel free to adjust how much you use. We have never had anyone comment they were too spicy! We make them very often. Thanks for reaching out!
I didn’t see olive oil mentioned. Can it be used? Change flavor much?thanks!
Hi Patricia,
Thanks for stopping by! I checked with Keith, and he does not recommend using olive oil as a 1 to 1 substitution. A neutral oil is best so the flavor does not overpower the crackers. If you are doing this for health benefits, avocado oil is a great substitute. Please let us know how they turn out!