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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!
Absolute fail for me, I tossed tossed tossed the mixture but honestly crackers had nothing on them and the spice either was packed into every pretzel hole making them inedible or just on the bottom of the pan. Had to throw it all out! First recipe I’ve tried here that hasn’t turned out.
Hi Laura,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear it was not enjoyed! xT
I followed the recipe exactly and there wasn’t enough butter sauce for the crackers. Even when I made more sauce these turned out not great and not much flavor. Don’t waste your time on this one!
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear they were not enjoyed! Merry Christmas! xx
I made this and it was just ok. Nothing amazing and I probably won’t make it again or recommend to anyone else. Way better snacks out there
Hi Sarah,
Sorry to hear this recipe was not enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xT
Followed recipe. So dry. Spices did not stick. Tossed them in the trash.
I meant to give one star.
So sorry to hear this Stacey, please let me know if there is anything that I can help with! Merry Christmas! xx
Made this recipe and threw it out the same day. Most of your seeds, seasonings and parmesan end up at the bottom of the bowl.
Hi there,
Sorry to hear this recipe was not enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try! Please let me know if there is anything that I can help with! xx
I must’ve done something wrong because these did not taste like I thought they would. A little burnt (even though I reduced the cooking time) and not very flavorful which is strange with all the seasonings! I’ll have to give it a try another time and see if maybe I just screwed it up.
Hi Kylie,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear these were not enjoyed! Was there anything you adjusted in the recipe? Let me know how I can help! xT
So delicious and so easy!! You are correct in saying that most of the spices are what one has on hand and/or in ones pantry! This will be a keeper recipe from now on!
Hey Elizabeth,
I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Merry Christmas! 🎁🎄
Just made this snack mix and it is delicious 😋. I only had mini pretzels so I double the amount of larger pretzels and it turned out great!
Hey Sherryl,
Happy Friday!!☃️ I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it and your comment! xT
Just curious if you are supposed to toss the crackers and pretzels with butter before adding spices? I just mixed it all together (followed recipe) and had a lot of crackers with no butter or seasoning along with pretzels that were solid with spices. Literally went through and took some spices off pretzels so crackers could get some. I could not find full size pretzels so was using mini twists. Was delicious either way, thanks.
Hey Tracy,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try, so sorry you had some issues. I toss the butter with the seasonings and then the crackers and pretzels. You could totally do the butter first and then the spices too, whatever works best for you! xT
This was a recipe fail for me unfortunately. I’ve tried so many of your recipes and loved them all. I was hoping to give this as a gift along with the cookies I made but I ended up throwing most of it out. The bake time seems off to me. They were burnt looking and the taste to me was just okay.
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear it was not enjoyed! Let me know if there is anything that I can help with! The bake time may have needed to be reduced. xT
Hey Teighan,
I have mini pretzels on hand. How many cups would you estimate I use?
Thanks!
*Tieghan
Hey Lauren,
Maybe 3-4 cups:) Let me know how this recipe turns out, I hope you love it! xx
Hi Tieghan- LOVE your recipes! I have turned my mom and my sister on to HBH as well! I’m wondering what it would be like to substitute wheat thins for the saltines? Not a big saltine fan!
Also, I have a question about saving recipes. I started just saving them to the default entry in My Recipe Box but now they I have so many saved recipes, I would like to categorize them (appetizer, dessert,etc) I see you can add a new collection but where I’m struggling is to move recipes from the original collection into the categorized collection. Any tips? Thanks and Happy Holidays!!
Hey Rebecca,
Thanks so much for following along! I would use something like Ritz rather than wheat thins, you want a cracker that will allow the flavors to soak into.
You can find tutorials for everything regarding the Recipe Box here:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/recipe-collections/
I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
So easy to make and tasted great! Definitely making these again for next weekend!!
Thanks so much Susan!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed! xT
Reading the reviews I only baked for 20 min total (flipped at 10 min) and they turned out great. I also melted the butter/mixed spices in a small bowl and pour over the cracker/pretzel mix
Hey Nat,
Happy Monday!❄️🎄 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xT
Absolutely delicious – I used 6 cups mini saltines instead of full size and mini pretzels (a few large handfuls) – so yummy!
Hey Katie,
Happy Monday!❄️🎄 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xT
Hi! How many saltine crackers are in a sleeve? I think the packaging comes in a few sizes! Thank you!
Hey Allison,
Sorry, I’m honestly not sure, maybe around 20? Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
About 35
I made this and it is absolutely delicious !! It will be a go to for me . Thanks for such a wonderful recipe .
Hey Kate,
Happy Monday!❄️🎄 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xT