I’ve got a brand new, savory snack for your upcoming game day parties, movie marathons, and TV reruns. It requires just a handful of ingredients and hits all of those snacky cravings: crunchy, salty, a little butter, and absolutely delicious.
These easy, spicy baked ranch crackers are basically just a fun, yummy way to level up a bag of your favorite seedy crackers. They get tossed in a spicy ranch butter sauce, sprinkled with savory parmesan cheese, and baked to golden brown snack perfection!
What’s a cracker without a dip? I love serving these with homemade ranch (double ranch, please), but I included tons of incredible dip recipes that would make the perfect pairing with these crackers. You + your friends + a platter of these? Match made in snack heaven.
Ingredients in these homemade ranch crackers
You’ll just need 5 simple ingredients to make the crackers themselves! Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Crackers: I’ve been obsessed with these Crunchmaster Multi-Seed Original crackers because (as the name suggests) they’re SO crunchy and just so happen to be gluten-free.
- Butter: you’ll melt some salted butter before adding spices and pouring it over the crackers.
- Ranch seasoning: good old store-bought ranch seasoning adds that savory ranch flavor.
- Cayenne pepper: get a kick of heat from cayenne pepper. Who doesn’t love spicy ranch?
- Parmesan cheese: sprinkle on store-bought pre-grated parmesan cheese for a cheesy, extra savory kick.
Customize your ranch crackers
- Choose your crackers: feel free to use any seeded cracker you’d like, but please note that they may have different baking times (so carefully watch them in the oven).
- Go dairy-free: simply use vegan butter and skip the parmesan cheese.
- Keep them mild: if you’re not into spice or are sharing with kiddos, feel free to omit the cayenne pepper.
Can I use a different cheese?
I wouldn’t recommend using a regular shredded cheese because the crackers will end up greasy instead of crunchy. Store-bought, pre-grated parmesan cheese is the way to go!
Let’s get dipping
My Homemade Greek Yogurt Ranch is the perfect dip for these crackers and adds the perfect boost of protein, but they’d also be delicious with:
- Garlic Herb Cheese Dip with Honey & Chili Crisp
- Spicy Roasted Red Pepper Feta Dip
- High Protein Cottage Cheese Giardiniera Dip
- Garlic White Bean Basil Hummus
- High Protein Sour Cream & Onion Dip
Get even more dip recipes here!
Baked ranch crackers in 4 simple steps
- Make the butter sauce. Melt the butter in a small bowl, then mix in the ranch seasoning and cayenne.
- Toss the crackers. Add the crackers to a large bowl, pour the butter mixture over them, and carefully toss to coat.
- Arrange & bake. Arrange the crackers onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a tight honeycomb shape so that they fit together well. Sprinkle with parmesan, and bake.
- Garnish & serve. Let the crackers cool, then serve them up on a platter with a sprinkle of chives and your homemade ranch for dipping!
Storing tips
Store leftover crackers in an airtight container on the counter for up to one week. The homemade ranch will stay good in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week as well!
More snack recipes you’ll love
- Cheese & Guava Crackers (a Puerto Rican staple!)
- Parmesan Crusted Crostini with Pear, Walnuts & Hot Honey
- Pat’s 4-Ingredient Paleo Crackers
- Creamy Jalapeño Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Roasted Sweet Potato Hummus
Get all of my snack recipes here!
I hope you love these spicy ranch baked crackers! If you make them, be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked them. Enjoy, xo!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Spicy Ranch Baked Crackers
Ingredients
- For the crackers
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons store-bought ranch seasoning
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 bag (4 ounces) Crunchmaster Multi-Seed Original crackers
- ½ cup store-bought pre-grated parmesan cheese
- 1 batch Homemade Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip
- For serving
- 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh chopped chives
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF and line a large sheet pan with parchment paper.
- In a small microwave safe bowl, melt the butter. Once melted, add the ranch seasoning and cayenne pepper and use a fork to combine.
- Add the crackers to a large mixing bowl. Pour the butter mixture over the crackers and use clean hands to toss everything together until the crackers are well coated on both sides.
- Arrange the crackers on the prepared pan in a tight honeycomb pattern so that the crackers’ edges fit nicely together. Remove any broken crackers. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese evenly over the crackers. Bake for 13-18 minutes until the crackers are golden brown and crispy. Let cool for 10 minutes.
- While the crackers bake, make the ranch dip in a bowl. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Remove the crackers from the oven. Let them cool on the counter until the crackers are no longer warm, then serve on a platter with minced chives on top and ranch on the side for dipping.
- Store leftover crackers in an airtight container on the counter for up to one week.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
