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In This Article
They Always Satisfy.
Occasionally (*daily during December) I catch myself wishing to cap off the day with a Christmas film while sipping on non-alcoholic beer or a rosemary pom spritzer, and – of utmost importance – a small bowl of snacks. It literally becomes a nightly quest throughout the house. Cookies are off the table, nuts are too nutritious, and chips lack the cozy vibe.
And Ranch Crackers are perpetually, perpetually, perpetually fitting for this occasion.
I requested my mom to grab the recipe from her friend, who happens to be the mother of my childhood best friend, and also the proud parent of the beloved Tenor Chef?! So many intertwined connections here, which aligns perfectly with Ranch Crackers as they seem to have been the go-to snack of the 90s in small-town Midwest. ♡
When I shared these on Instagram, numerous people reminisced with comments like: “oh, my grandma used to make those!” or, “I adore those and haven’t thought of them in ages!” or “I’d sift through the extra ranch-coated ones from the bottom of the bag!” (Same here.)
For a savory snack experience, a hint of Midwestern 90s nostalgia, and a savory-tangy, dill-soaked treat that delights every single time, allow me to introduce: Deb’s Ranch Crackers.
Perfect for parties, topping off soups (phenomenal), or savoring a bowl on the couch nightly while binge-watching, like I do. Enjoy!
Let’s Whip Up These Tasty Treats.
Stir It All Together!
Everything goes into one bowl!
Bake Them Up!
Absolutely, it’s that straightforward. (I sprinkled a bit of everything seasoning on the left side of the pan! and please take note of the generous amount of dill on the right side!) Best of luck resisting the urge to devour them all!
Combine the ranch seasoning, oil, and dried dill in a whisk.
Pour this combination over the oyster crackers in a sizeable bowl. Stir gently until mixed. (Sample the mixture now and adjust to suit your taste! Consider adding some red pepper flakes, extra garlic, or onion powder, etc.)
Spread them onto a sheet pan; bake for 15-20 minutes until they’re dried out. You’re done! They’re absolutely DELICIOUS.
Notes
You can opt for butter or oil – I lean towards oil as it tends to keep them crunchier.
Dried dill proves superior compared to freeze-dried dill, in my experience! It’s more finely ground and has a stronger flavor profile.
This technique also works brilliantly with pretzels, Cheez-Its, mini saltines, or popcorn!
As written, these will deliver quite a robust flavor! For a milder ranch cracker, consider using two bags of crackers instead of one. (But personally – I relish a cracker with abundant ranch flavor!)
Preparation Time:5 minutes
Cooking Time:20 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions For These Ranch Crackers
What’s the best way to serve these?
Place them in a bowl for casual snacking! They also make excellent “croutons” for soups – delightful and tasty! I particularly enjoy them with tomato soup – whether it’s this excellent recipe (or, if you’re short on time, this ultra-simple version).
Where can you find the crackers?
I prefer the petite oyster crackers (also known as soup crackers) and have a soft spot for those from Target (Good and Gather brand). They sport a charming hexagon shape. The ones featured in this blog were from the Nabisco Premium brand.
Is it possible to use butter?
Absolutely, either butter or oil can work in this recipe. Personally, I find that oil keeps the crackers crispier while butter gives them a slightly softer texture, so I tend to prefer oil.
Can you substitute the ranch with another seasoning?
Indeed! You’re welcome to enhance the ranch seasoning with additional spices or substitute it with a different blend entirely! Everything Bagel seasoning is an exciting option, plus Trader Joe’s offers an array of exciting spice mixes that could be fun to incorporate!
What’s the best way to store these?
I store them in an airtight container, sometimes in the fridge (though it’s unclear why – they don’t require it, but that’s just our method)!
Can you use other items instead of oyster crackers?
Certainly! Pretzels, popcorn, Cheez-Its, just about anything you can think of!
Add These Crackers On Top Of These Soups
**Deb’s Homemade Ranch-Flavored Crackers: A Savory Snack Delight**
When it comes to snacks, few items are as widely adored as crackers. They’re adaptable, travel-friendly, and ideal for pairing with dips, cheeses, or simply relishing on their own. However, if you’ve ever found yourself desiring something beyond the generic commercially available options, Deb’s Homemade Ranch-Flavored Crackers could be the key to your snacking aspirations. Brimming with robust ranch flavor and crafted with care, these crackers are a transformative addition for anyone wanting to enhance their snacking journey.
### The Motivation Behind Deb’s Ranch-Flavored Crackers
Deb, an enthusiastic home cook and snack lover, aimed to craft a cracker that married the crispiness of traditional crackers with the undeniable zest of ranch seasoning. Drawing inspiration from her family’s affinity for ranch-flavored goodies, she embarked on the quest to formulate a recipe that was simple to prepare, bursting with flavors, and devoid of the preservatives and artificial components commonly found in mass-produced snacks. The outcome? A homemade cracker that is as nutritious as it is scrumptious.
### Why Create Homemade Crackers?
While it’s a breeze to grab a box from the shelf, crafting your own offers numerous advantages:
1. **Personalization**: You can modify the flavor, texture, and ingredients based on your preferences. Obsessed with extra garlic in your ranch seasoning? Go ahead and add more! Seeking a gluten-free alternative? Utilize a different flour.
2. **Freshness**: Homemade crackers are void of preservatives, guaranteeing a fresher, more genuine flavor.
3. **Enjoyable and Fulfilling**: There’s a unique satisfaction in making your own snacks from scratch.
4. **Healthier Ingredients**: By monitoring what goes into your crackers, you can steer clear of unnecessary additives and focus on high-quality, wholesome ingredients.
### The Secret to Achieving the Ideal Ranch Flavor
The secret to Deb’s crackers lies within the ranch seasoning. A harmonious blend of dried herbs and spices such as dill, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and a hint of buttermilk powder creates that signature tangy, herby taste. The seasoning is blended right into the cracker dough, ensuring each bite is infused with ranch goodness. For an added flavor surge, Deb also lightly dusts the crackers with ranch seasoning before baking.
### Deb’s Homemade Ranch-Flavored Crackers Recipe
Ready to give these savory treats a try? Here’s Deb’s favorite recipe:
#### Ingredients:
– 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or a gluten-free substitute)
– ½ teaspoon baking powder
– ½ teaspoon salt
– 1 tablespoon sugar
– 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix (store-bought or homemade)
– 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
– ¼ cup buttermilk (or regular milk with a splash of vinegar)
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– Extra ranch seasoning for sprinkling
#### Instructions:
1. **Preheat the Oven**: Turn your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. **Combine the Dry Ingredients**: In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and ranch seasoning.
3. **Incorporate the Butter**: Add the cold butter cubes into the dry ingredients. Utilize a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend the butter into the flour until a coarse crumb texture is achieved.
4. **Introduce the Wet Ingredients**: Slowly pour in the buttermilk and olive oil. Stir until the dough forms. Should the dough seem too dry, add a teaspoon of buttermilk gradually until it’s workable but not sticky.
5. **Flatten the Dough**: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to approximately 1/8-inch thickness. The thinner the dough, the crunchier the crackers will be.
6. **Cut the Crackers**: Utilize a pizza cutter, knife, or small cookie cutter to define the crackers into your preferred shapes. Move the crackers to the prepared baking sheet.
7. **Season and Bake**: Lightly sprinkle extra ranch seasoning over the top of the crackers. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown.
8. **Cool and Store**: Let the crackers cool fully before placing them in an airtight container. They’ll retain their freshness for up to a week (if they last that long!).
### Serving Ideas
Deb’s Ranch-Flavored Crackers are immensely adaptable. Here are a few enjoyable ways to experience them:
– **Alone**: These crackers are packed with enough flavor to be enjoyed sans accompaniments.
– **With Dips**: Team them up with hummus, guacamole, or a creamy ranch dip for an extra boost of ranch goodness.
– **Cheese Boards**: Introduce them into a charcuterie board for a homemade element that is sure to impress your guests.
