I recently ran across a recipe which reminded me of one of Gene’s favorite snacks. This is an appetizer he could make without my help as I always had the ingredients on hand and it was very simple to throw together. You just take saltine crackers, drizzle with Italian Good Seasons Dressing, sprinkle with Parmigiano Reggiano and broil lightly under the broiler until the cheese melts. Go figure, but he loved them!
Since this original post I have added two more versions of this tasty cracker!
This recipe from Food and Wine (originally in Southern Living by Sheri Castle) is a little more complicated, has more ingredients, packs a little punch and takes more time to make. They are called Fire Crackers, or Alabama Fire Crackers.
Of course you can use any crackers you would like!
Fire Crackers
This recipe can be easily reduced.
- 16 oz. pkg. of saltine crackers (4 sleeves of crackers)
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 4 tbsp. (2 pkg.) ranch dressing mix
- 3 tbsp. red pepper flakes (or to taste)
- 2 cups olive oil
Fill a large gallon Ziploc bag with the olive oil, seasonings and spices. Close the bag and shake to mix the ingredients.
Place all 4 sleeves of crackers in the bag, re-seal and gently turn the bag over several times to coat the crackers. Let the bag sit overnight.
Preheat the oven to 250°F. Lay out the crackers on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes.
Use different spices or even different crackers. The South serves these as party snacks and can be casual or fancy. Serve them alongside soups, chilies or salads. Or just make them as a snack like my hubby did!
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com
Gene's Saltine Crackers
- saltine crackers
- Good Seasons Italian Dressing
- Parmigiana Reggiano
Place desired amount of saltine crackers on a parchment lined baking sheet. Drizzle with Italian dressing and sprinkle with Parmigiano Reggiano. Broil until the cheese melts.
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com
Linking to Fiesta Friday #208
Great with my lentil soup…
I recently read another recipe using Ritz crackers and I’m not sure where I got it from.
Ritz Crackers with Ranch Seasoning and Parmesan
- Ritz crackers (this recipe is enough for 4 sleeves or a box of Ritz crackers)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 packed ranch seasoning mix
- Parmesan cheese, grated (to taste)
- for a little heat sprinkle on some red pepper
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees and line your baking sheet(s) with parchment paper.
Melt the butter and mix in the entire packet of ranch seasoning mix. Place the crackers on the baking sheet and brush each cracker with the mix and sprinkle on Parmesan cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
Hot Saltine Hack
- 40 saltine crackers
- 2 tbsp. clarified butter, melted
- 1 tbsp. hot sauce
- 1 tsp. dry mustard powder
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Combine the sauce ingredients and brush on top of each cracker. Bake on a sheet pan for about 8-10 minutes. Enjoy!
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com
I saw something about these the other day! I love Saltines, I’m going to have to give these a whirl!
The crackers are very good – I am a little partial to the Italian Dressing with Parmigiano with soups and stews and the “firecrackers” more as a snack.
Hmmm…I will be interested in what others comment, I don’t think I have had a saltine since I was pregnant. Maybe it is a regional thing.
That’s very interesting Liz – I grew up eating Ritz crackers with soups but then I met my Southern hubby and it was all about the saltines. I hope I do get some good comments…
Both options look tasty. Maybe too tasty! I would probably snack on those way too much! 🙂
Thanks Ronit – the cheese and dressing are very addicting. The other version is on the “hot side” but can be made as hot as you like.
Love it
Thanks – we love both versions but personally I prefer the dressing with that good Parmigiano Reggiano.
So easy and tasty-looking. Definitely great with soups, I bet!
Thanks – it had to be easy for my hubby to make them 🙂 The cheese and Italian dressing would be my favorite with soups like tomato or the lentil soup in the picture. Then maybe the “fire crackers” with chili or just snack on them.
You can’t beat an easy and tasty snack! Looks yummy!
Thanks Antonia and no you can’t!
Well I must say that these are probably really wonderful!!!
Thanks – I actually enjoyed “Gene’s” version with my soup. I would need something to go with them like soup or chili.
wow, I never thought you could “re-make” saltines over! What a great idea!
Thanks – my hubby loved the cheese/Italian saltines and the spicy ones are good too!
I love this snack idea and it’s adorable that Gene needed your help with it! Some of my fondest times with John are our cooking collaborations! (maybe some of my most frustrating too LOL)
Thanks – no Gene did not need my help with this appetizer as I mentioned in the first sentence. I just had to provide the ingredients… We rarely cooked together but he sure enjoyed eating everything (or just about) I made. He might grill a steak, stir the fudge, make me an omelet and that was about it!!!
Yum! Making these tomorrow. Thanks for sharing!