Firecracker Ranch Crackers

Happy 4th of July weekend! I wanted to celebrate the holiday by sharing my favorite last-minute recipe for festive parties and tailgate fireworks. Here's a ridiculously easy snack that travels just as well as your lawn chairs do. I love making a fresh batch of these to share with friends on a summer evening!

YOU'LL NEED:

• 1 box (16 oz) saltine crackers (generic is completely fine)
• 1¼ cups canola or your favorite flavorless oil
• 5 tbsp dry Ranch dressing mix (or 2 packages)
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for your crowd's heat tolerance!)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes (the oil mellows the heat, so this one really earns its keep)

HOW TO MAKE IT:

1. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the oil, Ranch mix, cayenne, smoked paprika, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. You can mix this directly in the "marinating bag," but I prefer a bowl to smooth out any seasoning clumps. Pour the mixture into an oversized 2-gallon ziplock bag.
   (Size matters here—it gives the crackers room to move without breaking. If you only have 1-gallon bags, split the recipe into two separate bags.)
2. Add all 4 sleeves of saltines. Seal the bag leaving plenty of air inside, then gently tip and tilt it end over end—think a slow rolling wave, not a cocktail shaker—to thoroughly coat the crackers without shattering them. Let them sit at room temperature for 1–2 hours (or overnight), giving the bag a gentle turn every 15–20 minutes.
3. Baking is completely optional! For a crispier snack, preheat your oven to 250°F, spread the crackers in a single layer across two parchment-lined baking sheets, and bake for 15–20 minutes. Flip them gently halfway through until they are beautifully toasted but not browned. Cool completely on the sheets.
   Alternatively, feel free to skip the oven entirely—they are just as delicious served straight from the bag! Let your timeline before the party be your guide.

Wishing you a bright, loud, and sparkler-filled 250th Independence Day!

— The Christmas Light Source family