Ranch party mix crackers
Ingredients
Makes ~8 cups
1 (16 oz) box party mix crackers (Chex Mix Original or similar—avoid overly oily varieties)
1 stick (½ cup / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 (1 oz) envelope ranch dressing mix (Hidden Valley—the gold standard for herb balance)
¼ cup (25 g) finely grated Parmesan (freshly grated, not shelf-stable—melts into the coating)
1 Tbsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to heat preference: 1 tsp mild, 2 Tbsp bold)
1 tsp garlic powder (not garlic salt—prevents over-salting)
Optional boost: ½ tsp onion powder, 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast (for umami depth)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep & Preheat
Position oven racks in upper and lower thirds. Preheat to 300°F (150°C).
Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment (no greasing). Low-and-slow prevents burning.
2. Bloom the Seasonings
In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt butter 45–60 seconds.
Whisk in ranch mix, Parmesan, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder until smooth and fragrant—about 30 seconds. This step wakes up the herbs.
3. Coat with Care
Add crackers to bowl. Using a silicone spatula, fold gently but thoroughly—30 seconds—until every piece glistens. Do not crush.
→ Zip-top method: Seal crackers + butter mixture in a gallon bag. Shake 1 minute—vigorous but controlled.
4. Bake to Golden Perfection
