Firecracker Ranch Cheez Its

Update : February 17, 2026

Why Make This Recipe

Firecracker Ranch Cheez-Its are a tasty and easy snack that adds a spicy kick to your typical cheese cracker. Perfect for parties, movie nights, or just a casual afternoon, these crunchy bites are sure to please everyone. The combination of ranch dressing, garlic, onion, and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes makes them irresistible. Plus, they are super simple to make at home!

How to Make Firecracker Ranch Cheez-Its

Ingredients:

1 (10 oz) box Cheez-Its
1 (1 oz) package ranch dressing mix
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Directions:

Begin by preheating your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120 degrees Celsius).
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes.
Slowly add in the vegetable oil to the dry mix, stirring constantly to form a smooth and even coating mixture.
Pour the Cheez-Its into the mixing bowl with the coating mixture. Toss the crackers gently until they are thoroughly and evenly coated.
Lay the coated Cheez-Its in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Spread them out evenly to ensure uniform baking.
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes, stirring halfway through to prevent burning.
Once the baking time is complete, remove the sheet from the oven and let the Cheez-Its cool completely on the sheet.
Once cooled, transfer the Firecracker Ranch Cheez-Its to an airtight container for storage.

How to Serve Firecracker Ranch Cheez-Its

Firecracker Ranch Cheez-Its are great on their own, but you can also serve them with dips like salsa or guacamole. They make an excellent addition to a cheese platter or as a crunchy snack during game day.

How to Store Firecracker Ranch Cheez-Its

To keep your Firecracker Ranch Cheez-Its fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should last for about a week, but they are so tasty you might eat them all before then!

Tips to Make Firecracker Ranch Cheez-Its

Make sure to coat the Cheez-Its evenly for the best flavor.
You can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to make them more or less spicy based on your preference.
Feel free to add other seasonings or spices that you enjoy for a unique twist.

Variations

If you’re not a fan of ranch dressing, you can try using different seasoning mixes, like taco seasoning or Italian seasoning, to create your own flavor profile!

FAQs

Can I use other types of crackers?
Yes, you can substitute Cheez-Its with other types of cheese crackers or even regular saltine crackers.

How can I make them spicier?
Add more red pepper flakes or include a dash of cayenne pepper to the coating mixture.

Can I make these in advance?
Absolutely! These can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for later snacking.