Oyster Cracker Snack Mix

These ranch-seasoned oyster crackers are the snack that gets passed around at every party and nobody can stop eating. Five ingredients, no baking, and about five minutes of actual work.

Warm oil gets mixed with a packet of ranch dressing mix, dill weed, and garlic powder, then tossed with a whole package of oyster crackers until every tiny cracker is evenly coated. The warm oil helps the seasonings adhere and distributes them into all the crevices.

The ranch and dill combination is what makes these so compulsively snackable. Each cracker delivers a hit of tangy, herby, garlicky seasoning with a satisfying crunch. They’re dangerous to have around because you will eat the entire bowl without noticing.

Chef Tips

• Warm the oil gently, don’t heat it. You want it just warm enough to dissolve the ranch powder, not hot enough to make the crackers soggy.
• Toss thoroughly in a large bowl. The ranch mix tends to clump, and uneven tossing leaves some crackers bland while others are over-seasoned.
• Let them cool and air-dry for an hour before storing. This helps the oil absorb and the coating set.
• Store in an airtight container. They keep for about a week, though they rarely last that long.

Variations

• Add a teaspoon of cayenne or red pepper flakes for a spicy ranch version.
• Mix in pretzels, Goldfish crackers, or Chex cereal for a more varied snack mix.
• Use Italian dressing mix instead of ranch for a different herb flavor profile.