Spicy "Firecracker" Cocktail Crackers

Warning: my son W and I refer to these crackers as "crack" because they are truly addictive!


I love to have simple and delicious snacks on hand and these Spicy "Firecracker" Cocktail Crackers fit the bill perfectly.  The crackers are a great accompaniment for whatever you are serving at Happy Hour and ideal as a do-ahead  hostess gift. My sister Virginia has been making them for a couple of years now and bringing them to family gatherings.   This past holiday season, my enterprising Mom started selling her version as "Zaza's Crazy Cocktail Crackers".  This is my version:

Spicy "Firecracker" Cocktail Crackers

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Healthy Choice oil
• 1envelope Ranch dressing seasoning
• 3 tablespoons garlic powder
• 3 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 2 tablespoons Cholula hot sauce
• 1 9-ounce bag oyster crackers
• 1 11-ounce bag mini-saltine crackers

Directions:

1. In a large salad bowl, whisk together the oil, Ranch dressing seasoning, garlic and onion powders, and Cholula.  Pour the seasoning mixture into a large (2-gallon) plastic zip-lock bag.
2. Add the crackers, seal the bag and gently toss to thoroughly coat the crackers with the spice mix. 
3. Let the crackers soak in the spices bag about 2 hours, turning occasionally.
4. Cover a flat surface with a large plastic garbage bag.  Top with a layer of newspaper and then a layer of paper towels. 
5. Spread the crackers over the paper towels and let the excess oil drain off for about an hour, gently tossing occasionally.
6. Store in an airtight container.