Soup season is upon us, and what better way to add a little something extra to your cozy bowl of clam chowder or chicken noodle soup than with this Homemade Seasoned Soup Cracker Recipe?
These crispy, flavorful crackers are the perfect accompaniment to your favorite soups, adding a satisfying crunch and a burst of savory goodness with every bite. Plus, they're incredibly easy to make in just five easy steps with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Not only are these little tidbits of taste great on top of a bowl of soup like my Panera Chicken Noodle Soup, One Pot Broccoli Cheese or Authentic Pasta Fagioli, but they also make the best snack ever. I like to put them in a small bowl and let the kids munch on them when they come home from school for a quick afternoon snack.
And, unlike bagged snack mixes, these seasoned oyster crackers don't have any mystery ingredients or preservatives. But don't worry; these little crackers will be gone in no time. So you don't have to worry about them spoiling.
However, if there are any left, I like to keep mine in a glass mason jar. That way, when I'm looking for a delicious snack, they're right in sight.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor - With just a handful of pantry staples like onion powder, garlic powder, dill weed, and Parmesan cheese, you can create seasoned soup crackers bursting with flavor. It's a budget-friendly snack option that doesn't skimp on taste.
- Customizable to Your Taste - While this recipe provides a delicious blend of herbs and spices, feel free to get creative and tailor the seasonings to your liking. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for some heat, or sprinkle on some ranch dressing mix for a tangy twist. The possibilities are endless!
- Perfect For At Home or On-The-Go - Whether you're enjoying a quiet night in with a big bowl of homemade soup or hosting a game day get-together with friends, these seasoned soup crackers are sure to be a hit. They also make great snacks for movie nights, afternoon munchies, or packing in treat bags for on-the-go snacking.
With these seasoned soup crackers on hand, you'll never have to settle for plain old crackers again. Whip up a batch for your next soup night or snack attack, and enjoy the deliciousness one crispy cracker at a time! For the full recipe and printable recipe card, scroll to the bottom of the post.
Substitutions
- Oil - You can use extra virgin olive oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil interchangeably in this recipe.
- Melted Butter - If you prefer, you can use all oil or half melted butter and half oil. I prefer the combination.
- Herbs and Spices - Don't have dried dill, parsley or chives on hand? Feel free to substitute with other dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil. Get creative and experiment with different flavor combinations! I like to pick seasonings that will complement the soup that I am going to serve.
- Parmesan Cheese - If you're dairy-free or prefer a vegan option, you can omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute it with nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
Variations
- Ranch Oyster Crackers - Although I prefer mixing my own seasoning, for a ranch-flavored twist, swap out the herbs and spices in this recipe for a packet of dry ranch seasoning mix. It adds a zesty kick that pairs perfectly with creamy soups like potato or broccoli cheddar.
- Spicy Cajun Crackers - Add some Cajun seasoning or a dash of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick that complements hearty chili recipes or Cajun-inspired soups.
- Taco Seasoning Mix - Swap out all the dry seasoning for a packet of taco seasoning, or make your own. It's a great complement to a taco or enchilada soup.
- Sweet and Savory Crackers - Mix in a tablespoon of brown sugar for a hint of sweetness that balances out the savory flavors. These crackers are great for pairing with butternut squash soup or sweet potato bisque.
What's In This Soup Cracker Recipe?
This soup cracker recipe has items that are common pantry items. However, I have switched out the powdered buttermilk found in some homemade cracker recipes for a little bit of lemon zest. I like the tang of the citrus better than the one that buttermilk gives to the flavor of these crackers.
*For specific ingredient amounts, please scroll down to the printable recipe card.
How to Make This Soup Cracker Recipe
Step 1: Preheat oven to 250℉.
Step 2: Place oil and butter on a large cookie sheet with sides. Place in the oven to melt butter.
Step 3. Add spices to the pan, including the parmesan cheese, and stir until well-mixed.
Step 4. Add crackers to the pan and mix with your hands or spatula until crackers are well coated.
Step 5. Spread the crackers in a single layer on the pan. This will ensure even baking.
Step 6. Bake for 15 minutes, stirring halfway to evenly coat crackers with herbs. Cool completely before storing.
Storage and Freezing
Store in an air-tight container or storage bag for up to 7 days.
Freezing is not recommended.
Pro Tip
For extra crispiness, spread the seasoned crackers in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This ensures even baking and helps achieve that golden brown perfection. Once baked, allow the crackers to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container to maintain their crunchiness.
Notes/FAQs
Yes. You will see them at your grocery store labeled as soup crackers and oyster crackers. They're called oyster crackers because they are very popular and served in oyster stews or clam chowders, and they are shaped like an oyster. They don't contain any oysters.
Yep! Oyster or soup crackers are a tiny little cracker version of the larger saltines. They can be found in the same aisle at the grocery store as larger ones.
I love the store brand of any product. If I've used it and I can't tell the difference between one of those highly marketed, fancy-schmancy brands, then I go for the generic one.
Absolutely! These seasoned soup crackers can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They're perfect for meal prep or for enjoying as a quick snack whenever hunger strikes.
While oyster crackers work best for this recipe due to their small size and crispy texture, you can certainly experiment with different types of crackers. Mini saltine crackers or even homemade crackers would also work well.
Yes, you can easily double or even triple the batch to make a larger quantity of seasoned soup crackers. Simply adjust the ingredient quantities accordingly and follow the same baking instructions. In order to ensure proper baking, I would recommend using two large sheet pans instead of one.
Soup Cracker Recipe
Equipment
- Large rimmed baking sheet
- wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 10-12 ounce bag oyster crackers
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil or2 Tablespoons oil and 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest zest from 1 large lemon
- 2 Tablespoons dried parsley
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried chives
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- 3 Tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250℉.
- Place oil and butter on a large cookie sheet with sides. Place the sheet in the oven to melt butter.
- Add spices to the pan, including the parmesan cheese, and stir until well-mixed.
- Add crackers to the pan and mix with your hands or spatula until crackers are well coated.
- Spread the crackers in a single layer on the pan. This will ensure even baking.
- Bake for 15 minutes, stirring halfway to evenly coat crackers with herbs. Cool completely before storing.
Charlotte says
What a fun recipe! I love crunchy soup toppings. Thanks so much for sharing another yummy recipe with a great tutorial!