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My Favorite New Years Cocktails and Appetizers.
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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.
Servings: 12
Calories Per Serving: 93 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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.
Anxious to try
Hope you enjoy! xT
This is the first one of your recipes that we didn’t care for. Too much sage and cayenne I think. We didn’t realize you needed ranch to dip them in. Maybe that would help.
Hi Diane,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear it wasn’t enjoyed! Please let me know if there is anything that I can help with! xT
Have made these several times, they are SO GOOD and always receive rave reviews. I have text your recipe link to several friends who have asked for the recipe.
Hey Jax,
Happy Monday!!🌞 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear that it turned out well for you! xx
The seasonings for these crackers look so so tasty! Could it also be used for a Chex mix? Holidays are just around the corner!
Hi Mandy,
Sure, I don’t see why not! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
Hey Tieghan, Ritz has a garlic cracker out now. Have you tried it for this recipe? I think it might work.
Hi Sharon,
I’ve not tried that, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work! xx
Can you give me pointers on how to get the crackers well coated? The sugar and spices sink to the bottom of the butter. I stirred it up and stirred the crackers in the mixture. Some were well coated, others not.
I like the flavor!
Hi Jeannie,
If you need to, spread everything on the baking sheet and toss well on there! I hope this helps! xT
what is the recipe for the dipping sauce?
Hey Grayson,
No recipe, I just use ranch:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Do these need to be eaten the day you make them or can you store them in an airtight container to snack off and on throughout the holiday week? We usually do home made do homemade roasted trail mix as a snack but I want to do something different!
Hi Bethani,
These are good in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Hi! Wondering if you could make these and freeze them after cooling? Or would the crackers get that weird stale soggy consistency/taste as like when they’ve been in the fridge?
Hey Carolyn,
So sorry, I probably wouldn’t recommend freezing these, I don’t think they would be the best:) Let me know if you give the recipe a try! xT
Absolutely loved these, followed recipe exactly with Ritz, which was yummy. Then made them again with saltines, i was outta ritz, and they were very good and went like wild fire at work. However, i agree, Ritz are the best!
What’s in your little ramekin/dipper bowl in the photo of crackers above?
Hey Nancy,
Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! That’s ranch for dipping. Have the best weekend:) xx
My first time making these ever! I have the mini Club crackers – any idea how many to use for one batch? They are 11 oz boxes.
Hey Aymes,
I would think 2 boxes would be a great amount to use. Let me know how this recipe turns out, I hope you love it! xx
Hello! I am loving your recipes! Do you think this would be just as good with wheat thin crackers? I have a box I need to use up in my pantry and wonder if this would be just as equally good.
Hi Jodi,
Sure, the butter probably will not soak in as much, but it will definitely work. Let me know how the recipe turns out! xTieghan
I am making these all the time. They are the bomb!
Hey Deena,
Awesome! Thanks a lot for making this recipe. I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Happy Thursday❄️ xxT
These were so easy and a huge hit with a cheese board on Christmas! Soooo good- they will definitely become part of our family party traditions- everyone loved them! Thank you so much Tieghan!
Hi Lauren,
Thank you so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Merry Christmas!?? xT
This was super easy to make and a tasty little snack! So good with the ranch 🙂
Hi Heather,
Thank you so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Merry Christmas!?? xT
Trying these tomorrow! Your pictures always look so intriguing and gorgeous. I’m a big fan of many of your recipes. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks so much Carrie, I hope you love the recipe!! xTieghan
OMG, I’m making these tonight! Although I don’t have dark brown sugar, can I use light brown instead?
Hi Donna,
Yes, that will be okay for you to use! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Question Jen. I made these again and am wondering when you say “ turning them halfway through cooking“. In instruction step 3. Do you mean flipping the crackers over or rotating the cookie sheets?
Hi Sherry,
You will want to flip the crackers. I hope you love the recipe, let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan