Snack on a handful of these flavorful Old Bay seasoned oyster crackers — they also make excellent croutons. Made from common ingredients, they’re simple to prepare and easy to keep on hand for snacks, salads, soups and especially chowders.
This recipe is almost embarrassingly easy, but its simplicity is exactly why it’s worth sharing. Once you make them, they quickly become a go-to snack around the house.
These addictive little bites toast up quickly and can be tucked into many dishes. Picture a steaming bowl of New England clam chowder topped with a generous handful of Old Bay oyster crackers, or a Blackened Salmon Caesar Salad finished with seasoned oyster crackers instead of torn bread croutons. They’re a simple way to add crunch and bold flavor.
I always keep several varieties of seasoned oyster crackers ready for snack attacks. They’re inexpensive, versatile, and store well once cooled. After one batch, you’ll likely prefer making your own to buying pre-seasoned varieties at the store — you can save money and control the seasoning level.
Seasoned Crackers
Pre-seasoned oyster crackers are available commercially, but they’re often pricey. Buying plain oyster crackers and seasoning them yourself is more economical: a couple of bags of crackers, a stick of butter and a jar of Old Bay seasoning will give you plenty of crunchy, savory snack mix for far less.
Oyster crackers are my favorite because they’re small, quick to toast, and easy to portion into jars for storage. You don’t need a specific brand; packages and cracker sizes vary, so the recipe uses weight (or a close approximation) to help you get consistent results.
Old Bay is a favorite seasoning for this snack because its blend of spices complements seafood, salads, roasted vegetables and more. The seasoning is robust but versatile, making these crackers a welcome topping on many dishes.
You don’t need special equipment — an oven and a half sheet pan or any rimmed baking sheet are enough. A gallon zipper bag or a large bowl and spoon make tossing the crackers with butter and seasoning easy and even.
Seasoned Oyster Crackers
Preheat the oven to 250ºF. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning and 1/2 teaspoon granulated onion powder; set aside.
Place 18 ounces (two 9-ounce bags) of oyster crackers in a gallon-sized zipper bag or a large mixing bowl. Pour one stick of melted butter over the crackers. Zip the bag and shake to coat, or stir in the bowl with a spoon.
Sprinkle the Old Bay mixture over the buttered crackers, then zip and shake again or gently toss with a spoon until the seasoning is evenly distributed.
Spread the crackers in a single layer on a half sheet pan or other rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes, tossing every 15 minutes, until the crackers are dry to the touch and golden brown.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow the crackers to cool completely. Transfer them to an airtight container and store at room temperature.
Old Bay Seasoned Oyster Crackers
Rebecca Lindamood
Equipment
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half sheet pan or rimmed baking sheet
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gallon-sized zipper top bag or large mixing bowl with a spoon
Ingredients
- 18 ounces oyster crackers two 9-ounce bags
- 1 stick butter melted
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon granulated onion powder
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 250ºF. Stir Old Bay seasoning and granulated onion powder together in a small bowl and set aside.
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Add the oyster crackers to a gallon-sized zipper bag or large bowl. Pour melted butter over the crackers and toss to coat.
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Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the buttered crackers and toss until evenly coated.
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Spread crackers in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes, tossing every 15 minutes, until dry and golden.
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Let cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. Calculate nutrition using the exact ingredients you use if needed.
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