Cheez-It Firecrackers – Spicy Italian Cheezits
Cheez-It firecrackers are your favorite cheese crackers recipe made with a buttery Italian seasoning with a little kick from red pepper flakes and baked to crispy cracker snacks. While a lot of recipes for firecrackers with either saltines or cheese crackers are spicy, they all tend to use ranch seasoning. I am obsessed with the zesty Italian dressing mix and decided to try it on the Cheez-its. The results were spicy, buttery cheesy crackers that we call Cheez-It Firecrackers.
This firecracker recipe made with Cheez-Its is a great switch up to a traditional Chex mix and is perfect for people who don’t necessarily like ranch seasoning. These crackers are perfect to snack on while watching a big football game or girls’ night in.
Firecrackers Ingredients
To make these firecrackers you need just three simple ingredients in addition to crackers. The crackers you use can also be substituted.
Here are the ingredients you need to make fire crackers:
- Cheez-Its – Cheese crackers are great for this recipe but mini saltines or club crackers would work too. Oyster crackers also are perfect for these spicy Italian crackers.
- Butter – Vegetable oil can be substituted instead of butter
- Zesty Italian Dressing Mix – Ranch can be exchanged here if you prefer ranch seasoning to Italian seasoning.
- Red Pepper Flakes – If you don’t like heat, red pepper flakes can totally be omitted. I think a little heat makes these crackers so good. Plus spice makes them great beer-drinking crackers.
How to Make Cheezit Firecrackers?
The addicting, beer-drinking snacks are super easy to make. Begin by dumping the box of cheez-its in a baking dish. Melt six tablespoons of butter and pour over the crackers. Gently stir to coat the crackers with the butter.
Next, sprinkle the package of zesty Italian seasoning mix and red pepper flakes over the buttered crackers. Stir the crackers coat with the seasoning mix and pepper flakes.
When the crackers are done baking, they will be crisp and toasted. Pull the Cheez-It Firecrackers from the oven and let the firecrackers cool.
Transfer to a serving bowl and store any leftovers in an airtight container or zipper bag.
Variations to Firecrackers made with Cheese Crackers
These firecrackers can be made various different ways. Here are ways you can change up this recipe:
Flavor Add-Ins:
- Southwest Firecrackers – Add taco seasoning or cayenne pepper to the melted butter for a kick of heat.
- Italian Herb Firecrackers – Use melted butter mixed with Italian seasoning. Top with parmesan and pizza sauce or marinara before broiling.
- Loaded Baked Potato Firecrackers – Stir shredded cheddar, bacon bits, scallions and sour cream into the butter topping. Top crackers with extra cheddar and bacon.
- Chili Cheese Firecrackers – Mix chili powder into the butter and use shredded cheddar or pepper jack.
Cracker Swaps:
- Pretzel Crisps or Mini Pretzels instead of basic crackers
- Gluten-free crackers or Cassava Flour crackers
- Everything Bagel crackers or another savory flavored cracker
Storing Firecrackers
These crackers need to be stored in an air-tight container or ziploc bag. The crackers will last if they are sealed tightly while they are stored.
Easy Snack Recipes
Cheez-It Firecrackers Recipe
Ingredients
- 12.4 ounces Cheez-It Crackers
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 0.6 ounce Zesty Italian Dressing Mix
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Pour the crackers into a baking dish. Pour the melted butter over the crackers. Stir to coat the crackers completely.
- Spread the Italian mix and red pepper flakes over the crackers. Stir to coat the crackers.
- Bake at 250° for 15-20 minutes. Stir once during the baking.
- Let cool and store in airtight container.
Nutrition
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After removing them from oven I added a couple tablespoons of Parmesan cheese to mine. Yummy!!
The perfect cracker recipe. I am so excited to finally get a recipe that does not include ranch dressing, unless preferred. Maybe I will try subbing Italian, in place of ranch, for other recipes. Thank you so much.
My family loves Cheez Its and all things spicy so this is going to be a big hit at our house. Thanks for sharing your recipe at Meal Plan Monday!