Ranch Cocktail Crackers are a quick and easy snack mix that is perfect for game day. This delicious party mix is flavored with ranch, dill and can be served with any combination of crackers you have on hand.
Cocktail Crackers
My grandma’s recipe for Ranch Cocktail Crackers is always a hit at parties and gatherings! She passed the recipe on to me and it has been a favorite.
Sometimes the problem with grandma recipes (like her Onion Dill Bread) is that she wasn’t very specific in her measurements, so feel free to improvise with your favorite crackers.
I know she’s used mini Ritz or Club crackers before and sometimes Cheez-Its.
Easy to customize and easy to make, you’ll love whipping up a batch for your parties, too.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- It’s easy to customize – basically use whichever crackers you have on hand.
- It’s fast – it comes together in just about an hour.
- It makes a large batch – plenty for snacking on.
- Kids love it
- You can make it spicy – either use a spicy ranch packet or add some cayenne pepper to the mix.
Helpful Tools
Glass baking dish
Cute snack/chip bowls
A good set of spatulas
Ingredients
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe, why you need them, and possible substitutions. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card with measurements.
Jump- Pretzel Sticks
- Goldfish Crackers
- Oyster Crackers
- Rice Chex Cereal
- Ranch Seasoning – either buy a packet or make your own
- Lemon Pepper
- Dill Weed
- Oil – you can use vegetable oil, olive oil, or even melted butter or coconut oil
How to make Ranch Party Crackers
This section shows you how to make this recipe, with process photos showing the steps to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
Jump- STEP ONE: First, mix together all of your crackers in a 9×13 baking dish. You should have 8-9 cups of crackers total.
- STEP TWO: Next, in a small bowl, stir together the oil/butter and seasonings. Pour that over the crackers and gently stir to coat.
- STEP THREE: Finally, bake at 150°, stirring every 20 minutes or so, until all the oil is absorbed. This takes about an hour.
Which crackers should I use?
You can use a mix of your favorites. Some good options are:
- Chex Cereal – corn, wheat, rice…any will work.
- Pretzels – sticks or twists, or your favorite shape.
- Fish Crackers – I like original or cheddar but pretzel or some of the newer flavors will work well, too.
- Oyster Crackers
- Cheez-Its
- Mini Club Crackers
- Mini Saltine Crackers – can be hard to find, but Walmart usually has them.
Can I make it in the slow cooker?
Yep, you can also make this in the slow cooker (like my cajun ranch Chex Mix), but it doesn’t actually save you any time, you still have to stir it every so often, so I feel like the oven is just as easy, if it is available.
How to store leftovers
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container (or large freezer bag) for up to two weeks.
More snack recipes:
- Homemade Tortilla Chips (oven or air fryer)
- Squash Chips
- Roasted Chickpeas
- Lemon Pepper Almonds
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Candied Cashews
- Chex Mix Recipe
Click here to view my entire collection of snack recipes.
Ranch Cocktail Crackers
Ingredients
- 2 cups pretzel sticks
- 2 cups original Goldfish crackers
- 1 cup cheese Goldfish crackers
- 2 cups oyster crackers
- 2 cups rice Chex cereal
- 1 ounce Ranch seasoning mix 1 packet
- 1 Tablespoon lemon pepper
- sprinkle of dill weed
- ½ cup oil vegetable, olive, or melted butter/coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 150 degrees.
- Pour all crackers/pretzels/cereal into a 9 x 13 baking dish and mix together.2 cups pretzel sticks, 2 cups original Goldfish crackers, 1 cup cheese Goldfish crackers, 2 cups oyster crackers, 2 cups rice Chex cereal
- In a small bowl, add the oil and seasonings and whisk together. Pour over the cracker mix and stir to evenly coat.1 ounce Ranch seasoning mix, 1 Tablespoon lemon pepper, ½ cup oil, sprinkle of dill weed
- Bake, gently turning every 20 minutes with a spatula, until oil is gone, approximately 1 hour.
Notes
- Use any combination of crackers you like or have on hand – totaling approximately 9 cups.
- Some options: Cheez-Its, Chex cereal, mini Club crackers, oyster crackers, mini Club crackers, etc.
- Any oil can be used – vegetable, olive oil, melted butter/coconut oil, etc.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container or large freezer bag for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Did you make this recipe?
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Just perfect!! Love it 🙂
Thanks, Mary! =)
These are my new favorite snack! I made it at a tailgate and everyone devoured it!
I love hearing that! 🙂
These are made on repeat at my house! Even my neighbors get excited when I bring them over a goodie bag!
Thank you, Justine!
This is a good recipe however I recommend making a few changes that will bring it to perfection: Omit the Lemon Pepper, add 1 cup dry roasted peanuts, add 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, and add 1 Tbsp more butter; bake in 200-degree oven on a large sheet pan for the same amount of time, stirring every 20 minutes; and finally add 1 cup of plain M&Ms when it has cooled. 🙂
Those changes take it in a different direction, but I’m glad you made something you like 🙂