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The 22 Most Popular Holiday Appetizers.
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Everything Ranch Crackers and Pretzels (the addicting snack mix). This is the ultimate holiday snack! Made with saltines, pretzels, plus a mix of homemade everything bagel spice and a spicy homemade ranch seasoning. This mix is oh-so GOOD, some may even say addicting! Each bite is perfectly seasoned, salty buttery, crunchy, and cheesy. It’s seriously good and the easiest holiday appetizer to prepare!
With so many people staying with my parents, quick dinners, appetizers/snacks, and drinks are especially important. Many times I’ll make a big cheese board for everyone to enjoy before dinner. But cheese boards can take a little more time and work to prepare. And sometimes you just want something different.
That’s when I switch things up. I have a lot of go-to appetizers, but I’m enjoying making fun snack mixes. They’re not something I think to make throughout the year, just around the holidays.
They’re always fun and easy to make and can even be made ahead of time. Plus I love that this is not Chex mix, which I always try to save for Christmas Eve since my mom’s recipe is so special, plus it’s a tradition for us! I only make it on Christmas Eve, so just one day every year!
Details
This is pretty easy. You just need saltine crackers, large pretzel twists, and then a big mix of dried herbs and spices!
Oh and butter. You definitely need butter for the mix.
I melt the butter in a big bowl. Use the biggest mixing bowl you have. Then literally everything gets added to that bowl. I start with the crackers and pretzels. Then, the herbs and spices, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, parsley, chives, dill, smoked paprika (this is key), garlic, and onion powder.
To keep the mix spicy, I add chili flakes. If you don’t love spice, just use less or omit it altogether. And of course, if you enjoy things spicy, add more!
For me, the real star of this recipe however is the smoked paprika. I don’t think we use this wonderful spice enough! It adds the flavor of paprika, but with a very subtle smokiness that I find truly delicious in most recipes.
You can’t use too much!
Now add the parmesan and rosemary.
Spread the mix out over a couple of baking sheets to allow the air to circulate, then bake. Don’t try to cook this at a higher temperature, let it cook low and slow. I’ve tested using higher temps and it never works out well.
Yes, low and slow is key. But once the mix is baked, you can enjoy it for a couple of days, so it’s great to make ahead if needed. Though, I do think it’s best straight out of the oven. YUM.
My biggest tip? Make a double batch, this mix will get eaten fast.
Great for the holidays, but so good for any upcoming family/friend nights. I know my brothers are going to LOVE these. They’re the easiest to throw together. Plus, I usually have all the ingredients stashed away in my pantry.
Perfect for last-minute snacking. Have fun with this recipe guys, hope you all enjoy!!
Looking for other fun holiday appetizers? Here are a few ideas:
Pull Apart Garlic Butter Spinach and Artichoke Dip Sliders
Whipped Goat Cheese with Warm Candied Bacon and Dates
Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates with Rosemary Honey
Pastry Wrapped Baked Brie with Maple Butter Roasted Apples
Baked Sweet Potato Parmesan Tater Tots
Soft Pretzels with Chipotle Queso
Lastly, if you make these Everything Ranch Crackers and Pretzels (the addicting snack mix), be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Everything Ranch Crackers and Pretzels (the addicting snack mix)
Servings: 12
Calories Per Serving: 73 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 sleeves Saltine crackers
- 18-20 pretzel twists
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) salted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons raw sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons dried chives
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1/2-1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon each kosher salt and pepper
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 300° F. 2. Melt the butter in a large bowl. Add the saltines, pretzels, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, parsley, chives, dill, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili flakes, salt, pepper, parmesan, and rosemary. Then add the Worcestershire sauce. Gently toss for 3-5 minutes or until the mixture is evenly coated. Spread the mix evenly over 2 rimmed baking sheets.3. Bake 35-45 minutes, flip halfway through cooking. Serve, or store in an airtight container for up to 1 week. But we loved these best fresh!
Unfortunately this burned. I did as recipe said. I flipped at 17 min and then took out at 37. Burned 🙁 I love all of Tieghan’s recipes have never had a bad one! I’m wondering if this may need to be tested again? The seasonings fall off the crackers / pretzels and get burned however I didn’t see that in her pic.
Hi Elizabeth,
Sorry to hear this! What temp was your oven at? It could just run hotter than mine, you can always remove these earlier than needed! xx
Difficult to cover all of the saltines and pretzels. Coating cooled and got hard. Any tips?? Smells great.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try. Sorry, how did the coating mix cool? Let me know how I can help. xx
So good and perfect for snacking!
Hey Nicolette,
Happy Holidays! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a hit! xx
Getting ready to make and the spices smell amazing. Have you ever added caraway seeds? If so, how much would you add?
I hope you love the recipe Tamara! Sorry, I’ve never added caraway seeds before:) Happy Holidays! xx
Excited to try this recipe for the holidays! I will try them with simple rice cracker rounds since I’m gluten free. I think it’s going to be terrific.
Thanks so much Suzie!! I hope you love this recipe! Happy Holidays! xT
These look great! And oooh can you try to come up with a honey mustard snack/party mix recipe???? Pretty Please?
Yum!! Love this idea! Thanks Deborah!!
Not sure what I did wrong?! I’ve never had a fail on any of your recipes but mine just wasn’t good! Maybe changing the pretzel size messed with the results but just an overly herby dry flavor was my result. Still love all of your recipes! I failed on this one! 🙁
Hi Connie,
So sorry to hear this recipe was not enjoyed. Was there anything you adjusted? Pretzels size shouldn’t really make a difference:) Let me know how I can help! xx
This looks so so yummy! Would love to make it for Hanukkah this week. Is there any suggested replacement to the waschaster sauce? Not sure I can get it here. Thank you!
Hi there,
How about soy sauce? That should work for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
These were excellent! I used regular pretzel twists due to living in a tiny town that doesn’t have the larger twists, and followed the recipe exactly as written. Deliciously dangerous! Smells so wonderful baking! Thanks for the recipe!
Just made this and I can’t stop snacking on them. They were supposed to be for my children to snack on when they got home from college for Christmas break. Hopefully, they’ll be some left for them. I had, evidently, used all my paprika for other things so used chili powder in its place and it’s still amazing, so I can’t imagine how good it will be with parika since Tieghan said, in the post, she thinks it’s what really makes the recipe pop!
Hey Laura,
Lol thanks so much for making this recipe! I am so glad it was enjoyed and appreciate you making it! Happy Holidays! xx
Hey Michelle,
Perfect!! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Happy Holidays! xx
They are in the oven for a bunco game tonight. The house smells great! I couldn’t believe I had every last ingredient, down to 1 tablespoon of fresh rosemary on my half dead plant out in the snow. I just ate a cracker. Very good! I might lower the salt next time, but otherwise a keeper recipe. Thank you!!
Hey Mary Kay,
Happy Friday!!❄️🧑🎄 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xx
Yum! Might try making this with mini saltines and mini pretzels.
Great idea! I hope you love the recipe Heather!! xT
I decided to make Christmas snack boxes instead of Christmas cookies, and I’m definitely adding these!! Can’t wait to make them!!
Love this idea Lauren!! I hope you enjoy this recipe! Happy Holidays! xT
I want to try this recipe but do not love Rosemary. What substitution would you suggest?
Hi Jake,
I would just skip it:) Let me know how this recipe turns out, I hope you love it! xx
Can this taste good without the cheese?
Hi Patrice,
Sure, this should be just fine for you to skip the cheese. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Can you use mini pretzels and mini saltines? Looking forward to making this for the weekend!! Thank you
Hey Diane,
Totally, those would also work well! Let me know if you give this recipe a try! xT
Hi! Do you have a gluten free suggestion for the saltines? Sounds so tasty!
Hi Lori,
Any gluten free cracker that you enjoy will work here. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope this turns out well for you! xx
Yum!! Can’t wait to make this!!! Do you think oyster crackers would work instead of saltine?
Happy Holidays to you and your family!!
Kim
Thanks so much Kimberly! Happy Holidays!! Sure, I don’t see why not! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx