Totally Tailgates

CHEESY FIRE”CRACKERS”


Game Day Fire"crackers" are so easy AND portable!

Cheesy Fire “Crackers” are portable and delicious! This is such a simple snack for outdoor tailgates and homegates, too. The ultimate “bake & take”!  

Today is rivalry weekend for college football – we have been watching college game day all morning! My football serving platter is patiently waiting on my counter to be filled with Firecrackers!

We are hunkered down for a good, old fashioned “homegate”. One of the requested snacks for our homegate today was a big batch of these snack crackers. They pack a punch and are a light, fun snack that travel well. Psst: We are rounding out our menu with Hot Onion Dip and Loose Meat Tavern Sandwiches (my most requested recipes here!) 

These are great to take to the pool, the game or to have on bunco tables!

When I was a little girl, my grandmother always had a box of Cheez-Its on hand for special snacks at their home in Jacksonville, Alabama.

In case you need a point of reference, Jacksonville, Alabama (in Calhoun County) is home to Jacksonville State University. The university is the hub of this quaint southern town.

Bibb Graves Hall. Photo by Steve Latham
Bibb Graves Hall. Photo by Steve Latham.

My grandparent’s home was very close to the university; we used to love watching the Homecoming Parade in our folding lawn chairs. And, we could hear JSU’s Marching Southerners practicing on early fall evenings.

So, naturally I correlate football with delicious, cheesy snack crackers! And, as if they could not taste any better, we have a super easy recipe to give them a kick!

These are PERFECT for game day. Last summer I took them to the pool and they were the first snack to go!

These are so yummy and travel well! Cheesy, spicy and a big crowd pleaser.

This is such a simple snack that travels very well. I usually double or triple the recipe and make several batches at once. I saw several versions of this recipe on Pinterest, but I didn’t find them particularly yummy.

They needed more spice! So, here is our version. Make sure you have an iced tea or beer with you! If you want to round out a menu around Cheesy Fire “Crackers”, try my Simple Southern Fried Shrimp. They are crispy & golden…you will swear you are at the beach dining in your favorite restaurant!

The Players on the Field for
Cheesy Fire “Crackers”

  • One box Cheez It Crackers
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Dry ranch dressing mix
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Dash cayenne pepper (optional) 

The next time I am at Jax State for a football game, I am going to make a batch of Cheesy Fire “Crackers” -GO GAMECOCKS!

Photo credit: http://www.jsu.edu/news/articles/2014/04/jsu-to-host-annual-j-day-spring-game-on-april-12.html
                               The Burgess-Snow Field at JSU Stadium. Photo credit: jsu.edu

 

If you make this recipe take a pic and hashtag it with #TotallyTailgates ! We’d love to see what you made!
Go Team!

Firecrackers

Spicy snack crackers that are portable and HOT!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Appetizers
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box Cheez It Crackers
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 packages Ranch dressing mix 2 ounces each
  • 3 tablespoons red pepper flakes
  • Dash cayanne pepper optional

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, mix spices, dressing mix and oil.
  • Add the entire box of crackers; blend will until all crackers are coated
  • Spread in a single layer on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes, stirring once to turn crackers.
  • Cool crackers. Store in a zip bag or container for up to 3 days.

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