Sometimes the best recipes come from taking a viral trend and adding your own twist. I saw a recipe for some seasoned ranch cheese crackers all over the internet from Southern Living, and immediately thinking: what if I threw a smokey twist on it?

The concept is simple: take an already savory, cheesy snack—the classic Cheez-It—and coat it in a powerful blend of herbs and spices, then introduce it to a low-and-slow smoky environment. The resulting cracker is utterly addictive. I first made a big batch for my neighbors after a fall block party, and they disappeared quickly. They loved the familiar crunch and flavor profile, but the subtle hint of smoke elevated the entire experience into something truly memorable.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its ease and flexibility. You start by creating a simple oil bath infused with Ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and dried dill. This mixture acts as the glue, allowing the smoke flavor to adhere evenly to the crackers. Unlike some smoked recipes that take hours, these crackers only need a brief, 30 to 45-minute stint in the smoker, if that. This is just enough time to let the wood smoke penetrate the seasoning mix without making the crackers stale or overly dry.

This is my absolute favorite kind of snack recipe because it is a fantastic alternative to chips or pretzels and serves a wide variety of occasions. These Smoked Cheese Crackers are the perfect thing to make ahead of time for tailgating (they travel well!) or to take as a crunchy, savory snack to a holiday party where cookies and sweets dominate the menu. Be warned: they are impossible to stop eating once you start.

If you prefer a little heat, a note below provides suggestions for amping up the spice level. You can easily modify the base seasoning with cayenne, crushed red pepper, or a quality Cajun spice blend. Just remember that the goal is not to overpower the delicate cheese and ranch notes, but to give them a smoky backdrop.

   

Smoked Cheese Crackers

   

Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook Time: 30-45 mins | Yield: 1 box of crackers

            Print Recipe            

Ingredients

   

       
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
       
• 1/2 package Ranch seasoning mix (about 2 tablespoons)
       
• 1/2 Tablespoon garlic powder
       
• 1/2 Tablespoon dried dill
       
• 1 box cheese snack crackers (Cheez-Its or generic equivalent)
   

   

Instructions

   

       
1. Heat your smoker to 225°F. Mix the oil, Ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, and dried dill together in a bowl until fully combined.
       
2. Empty the cheese crackers into a gallon Ziploc bag. Add the oil and seasoning mixture. Seal the bag and shake gently until the crackers are well coated.
       
3. Transfer the coated crackers to a foil pan or other suitable smoker container, spreading them in a single layer if possible.
       
4. Smoke for 30–45 minutes, or until the seasoning has set on the crackers and they have reached your desired level of smokiness.
       
5. Enjoy immediately warm or allow to cool before storing in an airtight container.
   

   

       

Notes

       

For spicier crackers, you can add cayenne pepper, Cajun seasoning, or crushed red pepper to the oil mixture. Feel free to add more Ranch mix to enhance the savory flavor, but you may need a little extra oil to prevent clumping.