Fire Crackers (Gluten Free Style!)

FIRECRACKERS! I always loved the zesty flavor of Fire Crackers. They are usually made with oyster crackers but since going gluten free....I can't have them. I started thinking about them one day and decided that I could make the same thing....only with Rice or Corn Chex and gluten free pretzels. Kind of like a Chex mix with a kick. I couldn't find my recipe so I looked online. I tried the first recipe and it contained an Italian dressing mix packet which wasn't too bad but the vinegar smell wasn't pleasant. So I tried it again....but tweaked the recipe. This time, I really liked the results. You can use any gluten free crackers, Corn Chex, Rice Chex or gluten Free Pretzels (or a combination) for this recipe. If you like it spicy, add more pepper flakes or chipotle. If you like it milder...don't add so much. It's pretty flexible and you can tweak it to your preference. The recipe goes together quickly because there is no baking involved. (Of course if you don't have a gluten allergy then you can just regular pretzels or crackers!)

It's a great snack for the holiday season and for road trips. (Just make sure you pack a few water bottles because sometimes you get a "hot" one and need to drink a quick sip of water! ;)  You can put this on the table for snackers....or pack it up in cute bags for gift giving or road trips. Nothing like giving your traveling holiday guests a goody bag for the road. I like to purchase a $1 recycle grocery bag and fill it with some water bottles and snacks for our road trip traveling guests. (I get cute little plastic bowl sets at the dollar store or get some disposable containers to pack up for road trips. That way I don't have to worry about getting my dishes back. Or....you can put them in the clear cellophane treat bags that you can find in the birthday party section at places like Walmart. I think I paid about $1 for 20 clear treat bags with silver twist ties). You can always dress them up with cute curly ribbon but keep in mind that most people don't carry scissors in their car and we don't want traveling guests cutting their hands pulling on the ribbon to open the bag!

*For today's batch in photo I used: General Mills Rice Chex Cereal (unsweetened) and Snyder's Gluten Free Pretzels. I found both at my Albertson's grocery store. Ask your grocer if you can't find them or substitute another gluten free option if you want. 

Fire Crackers Recipe:

• 1/2 cup oil (I used olive oil but you can use vegetable oil if you prefer)
• 1 envelope of ranch dressing powder mix (make sure it is gluten free or use my recipe below)
• 2 tbs. chili pepper flakes (add more if you like it extra spicy)
• 3/4 tsp. Chipotle chili powder or regular Chili powder or Cayenne pepper (you can add more or less depending on your spicy preference)
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder (not garlic salt!)
• 7-8 cups of Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Gluten Free crackers or Pretzels (you can use one variety or a mixture of them. I use whatever I have on hand or whatever is on sale. I'm cheap like that!)

Combine the oil, dry ranch dressing mix, chili pepper flakes, chili powder and garlic powder with a whisk until well blended. Pour over your gluten free crackers, Rice Chex, Corn Chex and/or Gluten free pretzels. (I used Rice Chex and Gluten Free Pretzels for my batch today). Gently stir the oil mixture over the "crackers" (or Chex, Pretzels, etc). I put mine in an airtight rubbermaid container with a tight fitting lid. I flipped it gently upside down so the oil mixture would go from the bottom of the container onto the crackers. I waited about 15 minutes and flipped the container back. I repeated this a couple times throughout the day. It coated all my little goodies and no oily residue was on the bottom of the container.

Ranch Seasoning Mix: (4 tsp. mix = 1 envelope of store bought mix)

• 1/2 tsp. paprika
• 8 tsp. parsley flakes
• 4 tsp. salt (I use sea salt but you can use regular salt or a salt substitute)
• 2 tsp. garlic power (not garlic salt)
• 4 tsp. onion powder or onion flakes (not onion salt)

Combine all ingredients together. Store in airtight container or glass jar. (I usually just triple the recipe and store it in an empty jelly jar or olive jar. That way I have it when I need it. I prefer storing my spices in glass jars rather than plastic containers. I think they taste weird if stored in plastic after a while). I found this recipe for Ranch Seasoning Mix online: A Cook's Quest website.

(If you are using the ranch seasoning to make a ranch dip instead of FIRE CRACKERS: Combine 4 tsp. mix with 8 oz. of sour cream or plain greek yogurt. Let chill for at least 1 hour prior to using it so flavors blend). 

Up close and personal view of the FIRE CRACKERS

FIRE CRACKERS ready for a road trip!

FIRE CRACKERS bagged for the road!

I hope you enjoyed my gluten free Firecracker recipe. I like to have snacks at my house that all of our guests can eat. I took a regular recipe and made it gluten free by switching out the oyster crackers with Unsweetened Gluten Free Chex cereal and Gluten Free Pretzels. You could also add salted nuts or shoestring potatoes if you want to dress it up even more. You can swap out the Chipotle pepper for dill or another spice if you prefer. Since mine are called FIRE CRACKERS....I wanted a little heat.

Please note that not all generic Chex style cereals are gluten free. You must read labels! I always stick with the General Mills Chex cereals that are labeled GLUTEN FREE on the box! 

Enjoy!
Tanja
Gluten Free Casually