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Sweet and Spicy Seasoned Crackers. The holiday appetizer/snack that everyone asks for…year after year. They’re quick, easy, and everyone loves these spicy, salty, sweet crackers. Buttery Ritz Crackers tossed in a mix of herbs and spices. Bake these crackers in the oven until they’re perfectly crisp, but oh so buttery, and very well seasoned. There never seems to be enough…addictive, festive, and perfect for holiday entertaining.
Happy Christmas Eve to everyone who is celebrating today! And if you don’t celebrate, well I hope you’re actually still celebrating by taking the day off and hopefully cooking and baking up some delicious food!
Today is one of the first real days off I’ve had in, well, I can’t even really remember. I’m spending the day with Asher in the kitchen cooking away and wrapping gifts. My family is thankfully all together here in Colorado and I can’t wait to celebrate Christmas with them.
I wanted to share one more last-minute recipe with you guys, simply because I LOVE these crackers so much. Trying to keep this short today, so I’ll jump right into the details.
The Inspiration.
First up, these are addicting. If you love a salty, smoky, savory cracker, you’re going to love these.
They’re inspired by this year’s sweet and savory bacon twists. But also by the seasoned saltine crackers, or “fire crackers” I’ve seen on Pinterest. I enjoy their saltiness, but I’ve always wondered why you’d choose a Saltine when you could have a Ritz instead. Personally, Ritz are my crackers of choice, so I did a quick Instagram poll to see if you all would agree.
And the verdict?
Ritz won as the favorite cracker…and by a landslide.
With that info, I was sold on my idea. I’d make seasoned, buttery Ritz crackers…
And you guys?! I really can’t express enough just how good these are. As I said above, they really are addicting. Salty, a touch smoky, herby, and spicy, but with a hint of sweetness. All the good stuff, and all SO delish.
The Process.
One of the great things about these crackers? They are so EASY.
Simply toss the seasoning mix, brown sugar, garlic, onion, fresh sage (or try thyme/rosemary), oregano, lots of smoky paprika, cayenne, and chili flakes, together with melted butter. Add the crackers and toss very well to fully coat, then bake until golden crisp.
All. The. VERY. GOOD. Things. And so simple too.
The key spice here is the smoky paprika. You guys know it’s my favorite spice to use. I love pairing it in a sweet and savory way with just a touch of brown sugar. It makes the spice even more delicious. If you don’t like any kind of smoky, simply use regular paprika.
You can assemble these crackers ahead of time. They’re delicious warm out of the oven, but equally delicious once cooled.
So you see? These are pretty close to being the perfect holiday appetizer. And the herbs keep them flavorful and festive too.
Excited to bake these up today, but I’m making a double batch. My brothers have already requested them, along with a good cheese board and mom’s Christmas Eve Chex mix!
And with that, I think I’ll leave you all with this recipe so you can recreate it to share with whomever you’re celebrating with.
Just a reminder, there will be no blog post on Christmas Day, but we’ll be back on Saturday for a special cocktail post. And if you follow along on Instagram, I’ll be cooking my holiday recipes and sharing some family fun as well.
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas…filled with (many) HBH recipes! MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!!
Looking for other last minute and easy appetizers? Here are my favorites:
Sweet and Savory Cheesy Bacon Wrapped Puff Pastry Twists
Mom’s Secret Christmas Eve Chex Mix
Mini Pastry Wrapped Cranberry Baked Brie Bites
How to Make an Easy Holiday Cheese Board
Cranberry Brie Pull Apart Bread
Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates with Rosemary Honey
Lastly, if you make these Sweet and Spicy Seasoned Crackers, 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!
Sweet and Spicy Seasoned Crackers.
Ingredients
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) salted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, using to your taste
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 3 sleeves Ritz crackers
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 300° F. Place wire racks on top of two baking sheets. 2. In a large bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, sage, oregano, paprika, cayenne, and a pinch each of red pepper flakes, salt, and a generous pinch of pepper. Add the Ritz crackers and toss to combine, making sure all crackers are coated in butter.3. Spread the Ritz out in an even layer on top of the racks. Bake for 15-25 minutes turning them halfway through cooking. You want the Ritz to be golden brown. Allow the Ritz to sit on the baking sheet until cooled and dry, about 20 minutes. Store the Ritz in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
The taste on these is great. The seasoning was too thick to toss so I spread it on the crackers and that worked fine. I used a baking sheet instead and they did stick so beware for anyone else who doesn’t have a wire rack.
Hey Mallory,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Is there dip in the photo and if so, what is the recipe for that?
Hey Amanda,
I served my crackers with ranch. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Just made these and they are delicious!! We can’t stop snacking on them and already need to make another batch! So addicting!!
They will be a little tacky when you pull them out of the oven but harden after cooling. We served them with ranch per your IG feed and we can’t stop eating them!
So good!!!
Hey Kristi,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that it worked out for you. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Would this be better with a sweet or savory dip? Any ideas for dip or other accompaniments?
Hey Linda,
I served my crackers with ranch. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
What is the dip you’re serving alongside the cracker?
Hey Meg,
I served these with ranch. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
What is the dipping sauce you are serving with the ritz crackers?
Hey Wilda,
I served these with ranch. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Do you think it will work in the air fryer.
Hey Carol,
Sorry I have not tested these in the air fryer, but let me know how it goes! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
I just made these. They are perfectly delicious. What creamy sauce do you have pictured with them, ranch?
Hey Lisa,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Yes I used ranch:) Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Yummm. Can’t wait to try these. What is the dip you have in the pic? Merry Christmas!
Hey Becky,
I used ranch as the dipping sauce. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Am I fipping each cracker or just turning the pans? How many crackers in a “sleeve”? I have the “stay fresh” packs and I think they’re about half the size of the regular, but I’m not sure!
What kind of dip/spread/cheese would be good with these crackers?
Hey Marlee,
I served my crackers with ranch. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Merry Christmas! I love making your recipes. What is the dip/sauce pictured?
Hey Heather,
I served the crackers with ranch. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Made these right away, love them! Can’t wait to have them along side pepper jelly and cream cheese!
Hey Olivia,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
These look delicious! Can they be made without the wire racks? I only have baking sheets.
Thanks!
Hey Margie,
I would suggest using something to elevate the crackers so the air can circulate around them. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Merry Christmas to you and yours. Have a great time. ???????xx
Merry Christmas Kelly-Jane! xTieghan