These spicy crackers are a great appetizer for a party. They pair perfectly with adult beverages. Be careful, they are habit forming!

Firecrackers

1 tablespoon Mexican hot chili powder
2 tablespoons red chili flakes
1/2 cup canola oil
1 ounce envelope ranch salad dressing mix
1/4 cup Parmesan and Romano cheese (the powder kind)
1 (11ounce) box mini saltine crackers plus 4 cups more (buy 2 boxes)

In an extra large bowl, mix ingredients one ingredient at a time, in the order listed except mini saltines. (If you add everything at once, the ingredients will clump up!) Add crackers all at the same time and stir to coat all the crackers with the chili powder mixture. Let crackers sit for several hours before storing in zip-top bags. Tip: Don’t make firecrackers in a zip-top plastic bag. The seasoning will stick to the plastic instead of the crackers. Makes 10 and 1/2 cups. Recipe inspired by Fred Goodwin.

Published in The News and Neighbor on November 9, 2022.