Seasoned Oyster Crackers

At a glance

What stands out: Seasoned oyster crackers are the reliable crispy/crunchy snack to set out at your next party. You won’t be able to stop snacking on them. So good with a cold beverage!

How long it takes: 30 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: saucepan, sheet pan
Servings: 8 (makes 4 cups total)

Butter + Garlic + Crackers

You know those foods that you just can’t stop eating? You keep going back for one more…and then one more…

That’s exactly what happens with these seasoned oyster crackers. They’re buttery, garlicky, herby, and just salty enough to make it impossible to stop grabbing “one more handful.” we usually make them for soup or chili night, or when we're entertaining, but somehow they end up being the snack everyone hovers around instead.

(we advise making more than you think you’ll need because they will disappear quickly!)

What makes them special:

• Low effort, high reward: A handful of pantry ingredients melts together into a savory coating that transforms humble, inexpensive oyster crackers into a crowd-pleasing snack or crunchy topper for soups and salads.
• Take soup, chili, and salads up a notch: These fancified oyster crackers add a rich flourish to a steaming bowl of beef chili with beans, chicken noodle soup, or from-scratch vegetable soup. Seasoned oyster crackers are a nice alternative to croutons!
• Reliable party snack: Oyster crackers have serious snacking potential as well. Jazzed-up oyster crackers are a reliable party treat for guests to munch on while they sip a beer or a cocktail.

Jillian Said:

“Good grief, we should have never made these! We're on our second batch in two days after our friends demolished the first one in about 10 minutes. Rich little snack crackers!”

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What goes in

• Butter and olive oil: The combination of butter and olive oil adds a little more richness to the flavor of the crackers and they help the seasonings stick.
• Seasonings: The flavor of the crackers is amped up with pantry ingredients like garlic powder, dried oregano, and cracked black pepper. We also add freshly minced parsley, but if you don’t have fresh parsley, dried parsley is evenly acceptable.
• Oyster crackers: This recipe uses a whole bag, so you won’t have a partial bag leftover.
• Parmesan or Romano cheese: Melts slightly in the oven, adding a salty, savory, slightly nutty flavor that makes these seasoned oyster crackers impossible to stop eating.

Recipe Tip

Use a rimmed baking pan. We like to use a sheet pan, about 13 x 18 inches. The rim will keep the crackers from sliding off the pan which makes stirring so much easier!

How it comes together

Make the seasoning mixture. Add the butter, oil, garlic powder, oregano, and pepper to a small saucepan set over medium-low heat. Gently warm the mixture until the butter melts. (If you prefer, this can be done using your microwave oven instead.)

Season the crackers. In a big bowl, lightly toss the parsley with the crackers, then pour in the seasoning mixture, and toss to coat.

Make them cheesy. Spread the seasoned oyster crackers on a sheet pan. Sprinkle with cheese and toss gently to combine. Spread the crackers into an even single layer again.

Bake. Place the pan in a 250ºF oven and bake for 15 minutes; stir, spread in an even layer, and bake again for 10 minutes, or until the oyster crackers are golden brown.

Cool. Let the crackers cool, then store in an airtight container. (Storing the crackers before they cool will make them soggy!)

Ways to change it

• Make them spicy. Add cayenne pepper for a kick. Remember, a little goes a long ways! We would start with ¼ teaspoon, and increase to taste.
• Try ranch seasoned oyster crackers. Swap the seasoning mixture for our from-scratch ranch seasoning. These are so good with crockpot white chicken chili!
• Make Cajun oyster crackers. Use our Cajun seasoning in place of the garlic powder, oregano, black pepper, and parsley.

Ways to serve it

As a snack. Serve crunchy seasoned oyster crackers as a party or game day snack with other crowd-pleasing apps like bacon-wrapped water chestnuts, sweet and spicy candied bourbon pecans, or slow cooker spinach artichoke dip.

A tasty chili topper. Use your seasoned oyster crackers as the ultimate chili topper! Try them with beef chili, slow cooker Texas chili, Instant Pot white chicken chili, or vegetarian chili.

Instead of croutons. Float a handful of these extra crispy oyster crackers on smoky roasted tomato soup, Instant Pot cauliflower potato soup, or white bean soup. Try them on your favorite salads for a little extra wow!

Keeping leftovers

Once the seasoned oyster crackers have completely cooled, store them in an airtight container in a cool dry location for up to 3 days.

• Yield: 8
• Prep: 5 minutes
• Cook: 25 minutes
• Total: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter ( 1 stick)
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
• ⅓ cup finely minced fresh parsley (or 2 tablespoons dried parsley)
• 1 bag (9 ounces) oyster crackers ( 4 heaping cups)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

Method

1. Preheat oven to 250℉.
2. In a medium saucepan, over medium-low heat, combine butter, olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, and pepper. Heat until butter is melted. If you prefer, the mixture can be heated in the microwave, using a microwave-safe measuring cup. Heat in 30 second increments, stirring each time.
3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine parsley and oyster crackers. Pour melted butter mixture over crackers and parsley. Toss to combine until crackers are fully coated with butter.
4. Spread on a rimmed sheet pan (about 9×13-inches), sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and toss gently to combine. Spread the crackers out so they are in a single layer.
5. Bake for 15 minutes, stir gently (return back to a single layer) and bake for 10 more minutes or until golden brown.
6. Serve immediately or cool completely before storing.

Notes

Serving suggestions: Serve crunchy oyster crackers as a snack, party appetizer, salad, soup, or chili topper. They make a great substitute for croutons.

Storage: Seasoned oyster crackers taste best eaten immediately but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Make sure they are completely cool before covering them.

Variations: Add cayenne pepper for a kick. Start with ¼ teaspoon, and increase to taste. Swap the seasoning mixture for our from-scratch ranch seasoning or Cajun seasoning.